Oskar Lindblom's Major Win
- Nearly one year since beating cancer, Philadelphia Flyers’ winger Oskar Lindblom, 24, has won one of the greatest honors in hockey: the Bill Masterton Trophy.
- Lindblom was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma (a type of bone cancer) in December 2019, and immediately went through chemotherapy. He completed treatment in July 2020, and two months later competed in his first hockey game of the season.
- Ewing's Sarcoma is a cancer that grows in the bone or soft tissue, which can spread to other parts of the body. It's often found in young adults from teen years to mid-20's.
As some teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) enter the semifinals and work towards finishing their seasons strong, one incredible player was able to receive an honor that’s bound to bring some motivation. The Bill Masterton Trophy, given to one hockey player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey,” was awarded to 24-year-old Philly Flyers’ winger Lindblom.
Read MoreOskar Lindblom after Thursday night's win: "I started to think positive thoughts during the whole chemo and I knew that I’m gonna play one day"#Flyers #OskarStrong pic.twitter.com/rQA2e798vq
— Dave Uram (@MrUram) September 4, 2020
What is Ewing’s Sarcoma?
Ewing's Sarcoma is a cancer that grows in the bone or soft tissue, which can spread to other parts of the body. It's often found in young adults from teen years to mid-20's. Symptoms of Ewing's Sarcoma include pain and swelling in parts of the body such as arms, legs, pelvis, chest, or back; a noticeable lump in same parts of the body; fever; and severe bone fragility which may cause the bones to break.
According to the American Cancer Society, more than 16,000 new cases of Ewing's Sarcoma are diagnosed each year. If caught early enough, the 5-year survival rate of the disease is 83%.
Don’t Ever Lose Focus During Treatment
While facing cancer, Lindblom always planned to get back on the ice and continue competing. It turns out, this mentality can be a beneficial resource when battling cancer. Chemotherapy, radiation, and other treatment methods can be a grueling experience, and it's often difficult to stay positive and keep fighting. However, studies have proven that patients who focus on their goals and feel supported do better both physically and emotionally.
Not only is staying healthy, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising regularly important, but mindset plays a critical role during treatment in order to have positive outcomes. It can understandably be difficult to focus on anything except the treatment you’re going through, but it’s critical to think of future plans and milestones you want to achieve in order to gather the strength and push through.
Related: Do What You Love Even if Cancer Gets in the Way of Your Dreams
"We call it eye of the tiger," Dr. Sid Ganguly, deputy director of hematologic malignancies and cellular therapeutics at the University of Kansas Medical Center, tells SurvivorNet. "You have to have the eye of the tiger to go through this grueling process that is necessary these days to get rid of these virulent and aggressive cancers."
Dr. Sid Ganguly explains why mindset is so important during cancer treatment
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