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Michelle Rounds Has Rare Desmoid Tumors – Fiancee Rosie O’Donnell Writes Touching Poem On Her Blog

August 4, 2012

We all know that RARE is everywhere — 1 in 10 people have a “rare” disease.  This week, Rosie O’Donnell announced that her fiancee Michelle Rounds is battling rare desmoid tumors.  The extremely rare disease, also known as aggressive fibromatoses, arises from connective tissue, with approximately 900 new cases occurring each year in the U.S.  Although desmoid tumors cannot metastasize like more well-known cancers, they can destroy adjacent normal tissues, including bone, and can be fatally destructive.

O’Donnell took to her blog and revealed that Michelle “Mish” was diagnosed with the rare cancer-like disease desmoid tumors by writing this poem:

took mish 2 malibu
drove to napa
stopped in big sur
heaven on earth

it was a honeymoon
before the wedding
pure bliss
we laughed loved listened

then blink – it begins
on mothers day
morning pain
that won’t let up

we wander thru the maze of medical mystery
confused – scared
mish gets even smaller
i get even bigger – sugar my solace

i wake many mornings
in a darkened room
on a roll away cot
with good n plenty stuck in my matted hair

undiagnosed – again and again
her pain grew worse
it seemed impossible
no one knew what was wrong

life changes in an instant

desmoid tumors
odd and curious beasts
strong and sneaky
a non cancer that acts cancerous

only 900 cases a year in the US
an orphan disease – beyond rare
only 3 people per million get this
michelle is one of them

she is recovering from surgery in june
getting stronger every day
we have joined the fight against this disease
raising money and awareness

we had to postpone our wedding
re scheduled for next summer
in lieu of gifts –
we ask for donations

DTRF Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation

good thoughts
wishes
prayers
all welcomed

For more information, contact the Desmoid Tumor Research Foundation.

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