Meet Harriet Weinstock - Long Term Thriver
By Harriet Weinstock
2/24/24
I would call my story, Lucky!
I was diagnosed in 2017, with uterine leiomyosarcoma. I was told at the first meeting after surgery that death and dying was around the corner. The tumor board and my doctor recommended chemotherapy… which they said really didn’t work. This was very scary since I had never heard of this cancer!
I decided to come up to Boston from Charlotte, North Carolina for a second opinion from Dana Farber. I am originally from Boston, about a million years ago. The doctor at Dana Farber asked me, “what’s going to be treated, since you are three weeks out from surgery and at this point, cancer free?” I decided to go with Dana Farber’s recommendation to watch and wait. That was an extremely difficult decision and scary. I’ve learned…some decisions are VERY difficult.
I knew I needed help emotionally and took advantage of counseling at Levine Cancer Institute for a fairly long time in a group setting which proved quite helpful. I also tried acupuncture.
I’m starting my eighth year of this journey cancer free; I’ve had no reoccurrence, nothing. I’m just still freaking out before scans. My Dr. at Dana Farber said when I get to year 10, I can consider scans every other year.
In between 2017 and now I’ve had lots of other health issues: breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS), a hip replacement, arthritis and psoriasis.
After the breast cancer, I was proactive and asked for and had genetic testing. I have an abnormal gene MHS6, which means I have Lynch Syndrome. This makes me more susceptible to other/more cancers, especially colon. So I have colonoscopies annually.
My advice for a newly diagnosed person, don’t just accept what you are being told. Get a second opinion especially if you are not at a sarcoma center. It is normal to be scared. I am 8 years out from my original diagnosis. I still freak out before each scan.
If you are an leiomyosarcoma survivor of 7 years or more, and would like to share your story, write us at info@lmsdr.org