When you step into Karen Euculano’s home, there is a sense of optimism and hope. She and her mother, who lives with her, make you feel that anything is possible. Faith is an integral part of their lives, and they believe that even the hardest experiences in life are valuable.
To understand Euculano’s story, it’s important to understand her energy level. She is a former triathlete who celebrated her 50th birthday by cycling 50 miles with friends at a brisk 18 miles per hour. Now, she cares for her 4-month-old granddaughter for 10 hours a day, five days a week. “I’ve never been a sedentary person,” Euculano says.
So two years ago, when Euculano fell while playing a game of Kan Jam at the beach with her family, she was shocked that she couldn’t stand up and bear weight. Over the coming days, she was diagnosed with a large, malignant solitary fibrous tumor that had destroyed much of her hip. It is a rare tumor that required special care.
Euculano received that care when she was referred to Adam Levin, orthopaedic oncologist at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. Levin, along with the orthopaedic oncology team, performed a 12-hour surgery to remove the tumor and replace damaged bone with cadaveric bone, metal plates, screws and wires. Through expert reconstruction, they were able to save her leg and restore her function.
“Dr. Levin was awesome,” says Euculano. “He was very thorough, explaining treatment options, precautions, recovery and rehabilitation. I had my list of questions, and I never felt rushed.
“We did a lot of negotiating about my goals. Shortly after my surgery, my son and his wife had twins. Dr. Levin agreed that I could visit them in Pittsburgh if I stopped along the way.” She also wanted to run again, she says, “so I could run after my grandkids!” She calls her five grandchildren, four of whom were born soon after her surgery, her “little motivators.”
During her recovery, Euculano had tremendous support from friends and family, including her mother, a talented seamstress who crafted items to make Euculano more comfortable and functional—gadgets that helped her carry things on her walker and cloth bags filled with rice that could be used as cold packs. Together, mother and daughter supported each other with help from their health care team and community, tackling a difficult diagnosis with grace and strength.
Today, Euculano is cancer-free and nearly as active as ever. She practices tai chi to improve her balance, and she can put all her weight on the hip that was rebuilt. “I would recommend Dr. Levin to anybody,” she says. “He is a good person and an excellent doctor. I truly believe I went to the best doctor for my diagnosis.”
Euculano’s generosity to the Johns Hopkins Department of Orthopaedic Surgery supports the work of physicians like Levin, who provide care every day so active patients can get on with their lives.