When doctors at Hamilton General Hospital determined that a tumour caused the pain in Ligia’s arm and the lump on her neck, they immediately set to work. When they saw that the cancer was rapidly entwining itself around her spine, clavicle, ribs, and shoulder, they started moving mountains.

Ligia was rushed to start radiation therapy and then chemotherapy, aiming to shrink the tumour and buy time for a team of doctors from across Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) to devise a surgical strategy. The complexity of Ligia’s case demanded a coordinated effort from McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC), Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre (JHCC), and The General.

“We’re one of only two hospitals in the province that could perform this surgery,” says Dr. Coroneos, a plastic surgeon involved in Ligia’s surgery. “It reflects all the things we do so well…We’re glad we have a capable team to care for people when they need it.”

“As a regional hub for surgical services, we often take care of patients with complex and rare conditions,” adds Dr. Pahuta the surgical lead for Ligia’s case.

Facing long odds with determination

Her doctors were compassionate and capable, eager to answer her questions, ready to use every resource and determined to see her through this. They were also honest about the severity of her condition. The team of surgeons would be essentially taking her apart and putting her back together. The cancer had spread so aggressively that they would have to remove parts of her bones, muscles, tissue and even her lung. There was a very real chance that she would not survive the surgery. Amputating her arm at the shoulder was one of the best-case scenarios she could hope for.

While the health care teams planned, Ligia prepared herself physically, mentally and emotionally for what was to come. Her loved ones rallied to support her in every way they could, and Ligia drew strength from their care and her fierce resolve to see her daughter grow up.

A marathon operation

On November 24, 2021, a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, nurses and other health care professionals in The General’s Spine Surgery Clinic, led by Dr. Pahuta, worked meticulously for 32 hours to remove the cancer and rebuild the parts of Ligia it had stolen. They had to remove half her clavicle and two ribs, along with significant muscle and tissue from her throat and neck. They were able to keep her arm but had to remove all its nerves, leaving her without any sensation from the shoulder down.

Waking up from the surgery was disorienting, but as Ligia realized that she was still alive, not paralyzed, and had her right arm, she felt joyous.

“I was feeling grateful. I was feeling happy because I would be seeing my family again.”

Ligia’s recovery journey was arduous, involving extensive physiotherapy, wearing a halo to support her neck for two months and adapting to life with some physical limitations. Still, every day, she grounded herself with gratitude for her life, for time with her daughter, family and friends, and for everyone at HHS – from the surgeons to the cleaning staff to the donors – who helped save her life.

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The complex, interdisciplinary care Ligia received at HHS is only possible through the generosity of donors. Your contributions enable the hospital to push the boundaries of medical science and provide life-saving treatments to patients like Ligia. Donate now.

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