Vikram Bubber

Age: 32
Diagnoses: Rhabdomyosarcoma (Skeletal Cancer) Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer)
Age at Diagnosis: 5 & 27
Hometown: Surrey, BC

Biography:

I am a 25 year survivor of Embryonic Rhabdomyosarcoma in my right middle ear. I was diagnosed in 1984 and finished treatment in 1986. I received a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. About two weeks after my annual follow up appointment in March 2006, I discovered a lump on the right side of my face on my cheek bone. It was determined to be an Osteosarcoma which had developed as a result of the radiation that I received twenty years ago. As the treatment has improved for chemotherapy, I was able to have the tumor removed by surgery within seven months of diagnosis. I am now very happy to be a survivor of childhood cancer and young adult cancer.

The biggest issue I faced through my cancer journey was isolation. Being a survivor of childhood cancer and young adult cancer I felt isolated because I didn’t have a support network to talk about my cancer experience and how it had affected my life. This was particularly evident as a young adult and teenager. Fortunately I was able to attend a camp/retreat when I was a kid and young adult which helped form the support network that was most affective to me. The kid’s camp helped the healing process immensely and I was extremely happy that I was able to enjoy summer camp like any other child. I was able to share my camping experience to a group of doctors and the local news to help increase awareness and the need for continuing support for the camp.  I also attended a camp in Montana for Young Adults with cancer and after attending this camp my heart and soul felt completely revitalized. My enthusiastic attitude and people personality gave the impression to my new friends that I was a counselor, and not a first time camper. I continually encourage any new young adult survivors and patients I meet to attend this camp as miracles always happen when you’re camping under the stars.

During this time I also became a part of the Young Adult Cancer Network from which I have made some great friends who know and understand what is like to be a young adult cancer survivor. At first I’ve felt a little different than the rest of the group because my experience was so long ago but know after going through my second episode, I can truly associate why it is so hard being alone at our age. In the last few years, my friend and I presented on various topics including awareness & support for young adults and cancer. A lot of our research for the presentations was done through a retreat that we were able to orchestrate very quickly for a group of survivors from BC, Alaska, California, Edmonton and Winnipeg.

If we can help make young patients and survivors of cancer feel comfortable with whom they are and remember that we’re all here together. To remember that there is happiness and laughter, which will help any one soul light up for a moment long enough to forget the bad and remember the good. We need to keep encouraging hope and strength to ensure each and every one of us has the power to live strong.

I signed up for the Owyhee River Expedition because I wanted to challenge myself and be a part of something which would help bring awareness to Young Adult Cancer. I challenged myself and met the most wonderful people on this trip and this experience is one I’ll never forget. This trip was not what I was expecting and infinitely exceeded my expectations. The beauty and serenity will forever be treasured within my heart and the wisdom and kindness will forever impressed onto my soul. My favorite memory will be watching the sunset every night with the orange sky behind the canyon walls and the river reflecting the evening sky with just the sound of the water flowing.

Recently I have had the final surgery in Dec 2010 for my facial reconstruction and by spring 2011, will have a symmetric smile, restored facial contours and increased confidence about my appearance.