I'm Not Fat; I Have A 30-Pound Tumor!

For several summers, my left leg would swell up like crazy; I always attributed this to the heat or "that time of month."

One particular day, it seemed that my left leg had ballooned and the bloating had now occurred in my left foot. I thought it was unusual, but since I didn't have any pain, I didn't worry.

My mother, however, was a different story! Through the early part of the summer, Mom noticed the leg and started nagging me about getting it checked out.

I finally and reluctantly went to see a doctor. I was so sure it was just a bloating condition; I was confident that I'd be given an oral solution, everything would clear up and life would go on as usual.

Wrong! I explained what I thought was a minor problem. After a series of initial tests with no results, my doctor decided to thoroughly check my stomach, and from there, a diagnosis was made.

I had a large tumor! I was shocked and stunned, yet strangely relieved. At least it wasn't a weight problem! I was referred to an area hospital for preliminary X-rays and cat scans (the first of many) and then referred to a specialist who confirmed the first diagnosis.

There were several connected tumors all attached to one central one. Amazing, isn't it? And the whole thing was 25-30 lbs! My particular situation was actually life-threatening; my kidneys were shutting down. (Still no pain, though; go figure, huh?)

I was definitely going to embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure. Thus began for several weeks a seemingly endless round of X-rays, cat scans, exams, and shots (always a shot!) with the longest needles I've ever seen.