Susan Cleereman's interview
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How did all start?
My upper arm was sore, I would rub it. One day I rolled over in bed and the pain became excruciating. I went to my doctor, he took an X-ray of my neck. He told me I had fibromyalgia and did some acupuncture. The next day I left for Germany. When I got home a week later I returned to the doctor, the pain was terrible. He looked at the X-ray and said I had narrowed vetebral space. He sent me to a neurosurgeon who told me my pain was from herniated discs. I could do physical therapy or have surgery. I would be back to work in two weeks. I chose surgery. I had the surgery and my arm was broken in surgery. They finally took an X-ray of my arm. The bone was very thin, broken, and growing oddly. They said it was Cancer, they didn’t know what type. The pathologists kept saying, it looks like Ewing’s Sarcoma, but it can’t be, she’s too old. I was 45 years old. It was a primary Cancer. It had the classic blue cells.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
After the surgery it took a couple of weeks. They sent my biopsy to three different places. University of Michigan hospital said, it looks like Ewing’s Sarcoma, it can’t be, she’s too old, but let’s treat it like Ewing’s. I got better. It took about a year.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
Oncology, Medical, Surgical, and Radiation Nutrition
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
So many people helped me and loved me.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Fear and pain
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
They were so good. It is better than ever
What things have you stopped doing?
Lifting heavy things
What do you think about the future?
It is good, I look forward to it
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
My childhood was wonderful My second marriage occurred when I was 32. Except for the time of Ewing’s , life has been good ever since
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
If I was still young I would live my 20’s differently. I have done a lot of good things. I am a dentist. I am a retired vet. I retired as a Lt Col in the Michigan Air National Guard. Currently I am 64 years old. I am slowly retiring, I work 3-3 1/2 days a week. I am an artist. Right now watercolors fascinate me.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
It has had it’s ups and downs.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
You can do it! Be stubborn.
