Friday, September 01, 2006

Osteosarcoma

Do you even know what that is? I didn't. It's a type of bone cancer prevalent in children. See:

http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/guide2o.htm

From the link:

"Osteogenic Sarcoma (osteosarcoma) is a bone forming cancer. It is the most frequent type of bone tumour and is most common between the ages of 15 to 25. Over 90% of tumours are located in the metaphysis (the growing ends of the bone), the most common sites are the bones around the knee which account for 80% of cases."

Vanessa's best friend is a young woman named Heather, whose daughter, Jasmine, has just been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Jasmine is 11, and her mother took her to the doctor because she seemed to be having trouble recovering from a soccer injury. The cancer is in her femur, and she is going to Houston tomorrow to see if it's anywhere else.

Vanessa is asking for your prayers and good thoughts for her friend's daughter.

15 comments:

  1. Prayers are going out for a complete recovery! Lighting a candle right now. CG

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  2. Prayers going up for a healing for this young girl.

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  3. Thank you so much. This means a lot to the kids in question. Heather brings Jasmine to the theater sometimes, and she is a lovely child. Vanessa is beside herself, seeing her friend in so much pain.

    There's a lot going on here, and I can't begin to tell you all of it until it unfolds a bit.

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  4. Prayers and positive energy here too. Terror is the only word I can think of on finding out the one you love most has cancer. My heart is with both mom and daughter. I'm so glad she has Vanessa right now, because friends mean the world.

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  5. Vanessa can be very strong, especially for others who need her. She is a bit overwhelmed right now, as she can't help but be thinking, "What if this happens to my baby?" Plus, she wants to find something to say. I had to tell her that there really is notheing, and the help is not in what you say, but what you do. To a great extent, just being there for Heather helps.

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  6. I will keep them in my prayers and thoughts.

    Special hug to Vanessa, as well.

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  7. Vero, I want to give you a special hug too, because of yesterday date. Please, have it from long distance.

    I just read this morning and I think I can understand how you feel. Being on the other side, I just can tell you that I think it is a Noble (with a capital N) gesture.

    Anne

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  8. Thanks, Anne. As for my situation: it was a very long time ago. As I've said elsewhere, some years I actually forget on that date, and then I feel awful.

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  9. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

    Vanessa, sometimes it's hard to know what to do or say. Just know that your friendship and kindness mean the world to both of them. Good friends are hard to come by, I'm so glad they have you. Our postive thoughts are with you as well.

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  10. Vannessa's support will be very important for Heather and Jasmine.
    Prayers and more prayers for all.

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  11. Thank you all so very much. I know Vanessa reads here, and possibly Heather as well.

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  12. Prayers and *hugs* to everyone. Keep us updated, k?

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  13. Thanks everybody! We are trying to keep our spirits up. Even though she cannot play, Jasmine went to a soccer tournament this weekend to support her team. They all wore bands on their left leg (Jazz's left leg is the one with the tumor) in the team colors with her name and jersey #16 on them. It was really touching. We still have not heard when they will get an appointment at the cancer center in Houston due to the holiday weekend, and Heather keeps expecting to wake up from this nightmare. I wish it were that easy...

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  14. Vanessa, that sounds like a very emotional tournament. How very wonderful for Jasmine's team mates to acknowledge her in that way. This is probably their first brush with such a thing and it can't be easy for them.

    You know if there's anything I can do, I will.

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  15. May the powers that be, send their healing powers to Jasmine.

    Positive thoughts for all concerned.

    Just being there for your friend will help enormously, Vanessa.

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