Banbridge man Keith Gordon is sharing his experience of being diagnosed with Sarcoma, to encourage others to seek medical advice if something does not feel right.
The 61-year-old discovered a lump on his hip in September 2022 but initially thought little of it. What began as a seemingly minor concern quickly developed into something more serious.
Sarcomas are rare cancers that develop in the body’s connective tissues. There are two main types, bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas. Symptoms can include a lump or swelling, unexplained pain, or reduced mobility. As with many cancers, early detection is vital.
As July marks Sarcoma Awareness Month, Keith stressed the importance of timely diagnosis and the reassurance and care he received from the South Eastern Trust Sarcoma Team including Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jill Kennedy.
Keith recalled, “I did not think anything of it. I thought the lump was something simple and that it would disappear, but it did not. It just got bigger and bigger. Within a few days the pain started and by the end of that week, I could not lie on my side. I knew I had to do something about it, so I made an appointment with my GP.”
Keith explained how he had an MRI scan and was red flagged to the Ulster Hospital, “I had a full body scan and it was discovered that I had a Sarcoma and I was then scheduled for surgery.
“I had no symptoms up until the discovery of the lump. Everything was great, it was normal, daily life.”
Keith described how he and his family were in, “The eye of the storm,” as he underwent six weeks of Radiotherapy at Belfast City Hospital. “It was an extremely stressful time for myself and my family. There is nothing you can do about it, you just have to travel that path.”
After his Radiotherapy treatment, Keith was given the all clear and attends the Ulster Hospital every three months for chest x-rays and scans.
Keith added, “The Team at the Ulster Hospital are brilliant. They are excellent. If I had any questions or concerns, they were so good at coming back to me. Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialists, Jill Kennedy and Gemma Bowman were superb and continue to be.”
Keith spoke about the impact of his diagnosis and how four years on, he feels grateful for every day, “I have four children and to be here to celebrate another Father’s Day and see all their achievements is fantastic.”
South Eastern Trust Sarcoma Clinical Nurse Specialist, Jill Kennedy stated, “I see first-hand the impact that a Sarcoma diagnosis can have on patients and their families. Sarcoma Awareness Month is an opportunity to shine a light on this rare form of cancer, increase awareness of the signs and symptoms and share patient stories.
“Sarcomas can develop on the body’s soft tissues such as muscle, fat, nerves and blood vessels. One of the most common signs is a lump that is increasing in size, particularly if it bigger than five centimetres, painful or located deep within the tissue. I would urge anyone with persistent swelling or unexplained pain to see their GP for assessment.”
Keith urged anyone who feels something is not quite right to act quickly and get checked out, “Push for Imaging, should it be an X-ray, an Ultrasound. Get the answers, because if you leave it for any length of time, it could be too late.”