Kaori’s Osteosarcoma Journey: The Road to Diagnosis:
Kaori Nakachin, 18, was in her final year of high school, gearing up for college entrance exams, when she noticed pain in her left hip in December. She brushed it off as muscle soreness at first, but the pain worsened, and she started limping. A local orthopedic clinic took X-rays, which showed nothing abnormal, and prescribed a patch that didn’t help. They sent her to a nearby hospital for an MRI, which raised concerns. “This is serious,” they said, referring her to a university hospital 50 minutes away. By January, after another MRI, doctors found a “bone tumor,” initially thought to be benign (non-cancerous). Kaori underwent surgery between her exams, only to learn post-surgery that it was osteosarcoma, a malignant bone cancer. Thus began Kaori’s osteosarcoma journey.
Kaori’s Osteosarcoma Journey: Finding Herself and Her Dreams:
- Finding Herself: Hospitalized for months, Kaori felt isolated as her friends moved on to college. She stayed connected through mixi, a Japanese social network, which became her lifeline. Deciding to “cry alone” rather than in front of others, she built inner strength. She also learned to speak up, like when she asked to switch hospital rooms, realizing that expressing her needs was key to maintaining her identity.
- Dreams for the Future: Diagnosed at a pivotal time for choosing her path, Kaori had to pause her university plans, taking a year-long leave. While bedridden, she didn’t have clear dreams but adopted the motto “It’ll work out somehow.” After recovery, she started college, inspired by her experience to explore nursing or social work. Her osteosarcoma journey shaped her perspective on life and purpose.
- Kaori’s Unique Spark: Kaori’s humor shines through in her story. She jokes about the hassle of maintaining a wig (worn due to hair loss from chemo) and wishes she’d chosen a trendy knit cap with fake hair. Her lighthearted take on tough moments makes her osteosarcoma journey relatable and inspiring.
Kaori’s Osteosarcoma Journey: The Hard Times and How She Overcame Them:
- Hard Times:
- Chemotherapy Side Effects: The drug cisplatin hit Kaori hard, causing intense nausea and exhaustion. Her first chemo cycle was brutal—she described it as “rolling around in agony.” Even with anti-nausea drugs like aprepitant (Imend), side effects persisted, especially when insurance stopped covering it.
- Feeling Alone: In a six-bed hospital room with mostly elderly patients, Kaori felt out of place. Her friends were starting new lives, leaving her with a sense of being left behind. Explaining her cancer to others was awkward, as they’d say, “You’re so young!”
- Heavy Hospital Environment: At one point, Kaori was moved to a room for seriously ill patients. The quiet, heavy atmosphere was overwhelming, adding to her stress.
- How She Overcame:
- Doctors’ Efforts: Her doctor adjusted cisplatin’s delivery (slower infusion, different timing), easing side effects. Kaori was amazed, saying, “Doctors are amazing!”
- Family Support: Her mom took leave from work to visit daily, driving 40 minutes to bring food like noodles when hospital meals were unappetizing. Her dad gently broke the cancer news at home, respecting her emotions.
- Friends and Social Media: Mixi and long phone calls with friends kept Kaori connected, lifting her spirits. These moments were her escape from hospital life.
- Speaking Up: Kaori learned to voice her needs, like requesting a return to a livelier six-bed room. She realized, “It’s okay to be a little selfish,” which helped manage stress.
(がんノート)
Kaori’s Osteosarcoma Journey: Diagnosis and Treatment Details:
- Diagnosis Process:
- Symptoms: Left hip pain in December, mistaken for muscle soreness.
- Local Clinic: X-rays showed no issues; a patch was ineffective.
- Community Hospital: MRI suggested an abnormality, leading to a referral to a university hospital.
- University Hospital: In January, a “bone tumor” was diagnosed, thought to be benign.
- Post-Surgery: After tumor removal in February, pathology revealed osteosarcoma. No metastases (cancer spread) were found, staging it as I or II.
- Treatment Process:
- First Surgery (February): Removed the hip tumor, initially thought benign. The cancer diagnosis required further treatment.
- Chemotherapy (February–May): Drugs like cisplatin, methotrexate, and doxorubicin aimed to shrink any remaining cancer. Side effects included nausea and fatigue, mitigated by aprepitant.
- Second Surgery (May): Removed a larger portion of bone (near the pelvis) to prevent recurrence.
- Further Chemotherapy (May–November): Additional cycles with adjusted protocols reduced side effects.
- Hospital Stay: 9 months (February–November), with weekend home visits and a longer break during summer holidays.
- CV Port: A chest catheter for long-term drug delivery.
- Treatment Notes:
- Osteosarcoma treatment combines chemotherapy and surgery.
- The initial misdiagnosis complicated the plan, as malignant tumors require broader resection.
- Adjusting chemo delivery was key to managing side effects.
Kaori’s osteosarcoma journey showcases resilience through a challenging medical process.
What Is Osteosarcoma? Medical Explanation
Osteosarcoma is a rare bone cancer that starts in bone-forming cells (osteoblasts). It often affects teens and young adults, like Kaori, who was 18 and had it in her hip.
- Epidemiology:
- Rare: 1–3 cases per 100,000 people yearly.
- Age: Common in 10–20-year-olds during growth spurts.
- Sites: Knee, hip (Kaori’s case), or upper arm.
- Symptoms:
- Bone pain, worse at night or during activity.
- Swelling or a lump.
- Trouble moving, like Kaori’s limping.
- Diagnosis:
- X-ray: Detects bone damage.
- MRI/CT: Shows tumor size and spread.
- Biopsy: Confirms cancer via tissue sample. Kaori’s diagnosis came post-surgery.
- Staging: I–IV. Kaori’s was stage I or II (no spread).
- Treatment:
- Chemotherapy: Drugs like cisplatin and methotrexate shrink tumors before and after surgery. Kaori used these.
- Surgery: Removes the tumor and nearby bone. Kaori had two surgeries.
- Radiation: Rarely used for osteosarcoma; not part of Kaori’s treatment.
- Prognosis: 60–70% five-year survival rate without metastases.
- Sources (Up to 3):
- National Cancer Center Japan “Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors”
URL: https://www.ncc.go.jp/jp/information/patient_support/disease/bone_soft_tissue.html
Content: Covers osteosarcoma symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, aligning with Kaori’s hip pain and MRI process. - Japanese Orthopaedic Association “Osteosarcoma”
URL: https://www.joa.or.jp/public/disease/bone_tumor_osteosarcoma.html
Content: Details osteosarcoma sites (hip) and biopsy, matching Kaori’s case. - American Cancer Society “Osteosarcoma”
URL: https://www.cancer.org/cancer/osteosarcoma.html
Content: Explains chemo (cisplatin) and surgery, including side effects like Kaori’s nausea.
- National Cancer Center Japan “Bone and Soft Tissue Tumors”