“Dr. Farma and Dr. Lee were incredibly empathetic and gave me the best experience possible.”‐Christen Sheroff
I’ve always done my best to take care of my body. Wellness is very important to me, and it’s something I put a lot of time and care into. I eat right, work out, and go to all my recommended check-ups — just like the routine OB/GYN appointment I had in the spring of 2023.
During that visit, my doctor noticed something unusual, a mass. She recommended I get a CT scan to make sure it was nothing. When that wasn’t conclusive, I had an MRI that showed that I had a tumor. To be sure it wasn’t cancerous, I was referred to a proctologist who removed as much of the tumor as possible and sent it in for biopsy. Finally, I thought, after this whirlwind of tests and doctors, answers were on the horizon.
Then a week passed. And another. I was supposed to have heard back by then, so I called to check in, only to find that more tests were needed. More labs, more doctors, more waiting. Months after that initial OB/GYN appointment, I finally got the news. At the age of 30 I had been diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma (LMS), a rare cancer often seen in the female reproductive system. In fact, I had the first documented case of a rare genetic variant in a rectal LMS.
Taking Control
From there, I was referred to Fox Chase Cancer Center, and I’m so grateful I was. Fox Chase has been awesome throughout my treatment. I met with Dr. Jeffrey Farma, a surgical oncologist, and Dr. Teresa Lee, a medical oncologist specializing in sarcoma. They not only provided me with top-quality care but also a completely individualized experience.
An extensive surgery was discussed as part of my treatment, but my lifestyle and preferences were considered. I was given options, so I was able to be treated without undergoing a life-altering surgery requiring a colostomy and instead underwent organ-preserving surgery with a local excision. At a time when everything felt so out of my control, I was incredibly grateful to be able to make that choice for myself.
And because my cancer was detected when it was still able to be treated with surgery, I didn’t need chemotherapy or any other treatment. Instead, I now have appointments every few months at Fox Chase so they can closely monitor my condition.
The Blame Game
My situation is bizarre because of the rarity of my diagnosis and the fact that I was only 30 when I received it. Cancer is commonly associated with older people, and it doesn’t really run in my family.
Making it even more difficult to deal with, most people don’t know how to talk about it. “How did you do this to yourself?” and “Everything happens for a reason” are sentiments I’ve heard way too many times in the last two years. The truth is that cancer doesn’t care who you are or what you’ve done. It just happens, and it sucks.
That fact alone was difficult to grapple with because I’m young and I’m used to feeling invincible. After my diagnosis, I tried my best to act like everything was fine. I kept going to work and brushing off my family.
Like all cancer patients, I realized my journey wasn’t just about physical healing. It was very much about mental healing too. I wasn’t okay. My mental health was awful, and I needed to start accepting help.
Seeing a therapist is the best thing I’ve done for myself throughout all of this. I’ve become more open to my loved ones and have gotten better at communicating with the people around me about what is and isn’t appropriate to say.
A New Normal
My life is not the same as it was two years ago, but I’m in very good shape physically and emotionally. I still see my therapist, and I go to Fox Chase every three months for checkups. I’m infinitely better at advocating for my own health and autonomy.
At this point in my treatment, it’s all a waiting game, but I’m lucky. Fox Chase has given me the best care I could ask for.
Last Year’s Chris
Sometimes, the best way to move forward is by looking back. There are so many things I would tell myself or someone else in my shoes.
Each person’s cancer experience is unique. There is no one way to have it, be treated for it, or deal with it. You move forward in the way that works best for you. For me, finding a place that treats each patient as an individual was crucial. Dr. Farma and Dr. Lee were incredibly empathetic and gave me the best experience possible.
I’ve also come to realize that I don’t owe anyone comfort at the cost of my own. “Everything happens for a reason” is not fun to hear, and nodding along uncomfortably doesn’t help me. The best response I’ve gotten when telling loved ones about my diagnosis is simply, “I don’t know what to say.”
There isn’t really anything to say, and that’s okay.
Learn more about treatment for sarcoma at Fox Chase Cancer Center.