Reminiscent perhaps of one the great battles of World War II, a similar epic conflict is happening in Mario’s leg. This is a battle not of soldiers and guns, but a war at the molecular level of cells with chemical poisons. As in many wars, there is of course collateral damage.
For you history buffs, the Siege of Leningrad (now back to St. Petersburg) sounds most like Mario’s Battle of Leg-ingrad; but the better wartime analogy is the Battle of Stalingrad (now Volgograd). The battle for Stalingrad took place between August 1942 and February 1943. It was the largest battle on the Eastern Front and was marked by brutality and disregard for military and civilian casualties. It is among the bloodiest battles in the history of warfare, with the higher estimates of combined casualties amounting to nearly two million. The heavy losses inflicted on the German army made it a turning point in World War II in Europe.
Ewing’s Sarcoma of course plays the role of the Third Reich in Mario’s Leg-ingrad. The enemy has driven deep into Mario’s upper right thigh and has nearly taken over Leg-ingrad which is on Mario’s sciatic and tibial nerve(s) affecting his ability to walk and causing great pain. Mario’s own immune system defenses were inadequate to combat Ewing’s Sarcoma and secretly over time, the invading army of cancer cells has entrenched itself deep in the thigh and surrounding the sciatic and tibial nerves. As important as the Volga is to Russia, this nerve is crucial for Mario to control his right leg and foot. .
To reclaim his right leg and drive out the invader, Mario hired a mercenary army led by Doxorubicin. Affectionately nicknamed Red Devil not only for its red color, but its potential adverse effects of nausea, vomiting, heart arrhythmias, neutropenia (a decrease in white blood cells), as well as alopecia (hair loss); Red Devil is a ruthless chemical poison that destroys all fast growing cells by affecting their ability to reproduce. Unfortunately it is unable to tell friend from foe. Since cancer cells need blood to grow, Red Devil is sent through the blood stream. In this “slash and burn” war , Ewing’s Cancer soldiers die, but Mario's innocent red blood cells, cells that line the intestinal track, hair and many other of Mario’s non-combatant cells also die. Such is war.
As was the case at Stalingrad, Mario hopes to inflict more damage on Ewing’s Sarcoma than he is inflicting on himself. While both combatants will be weakened, Mario hopes to recover more quickly than his adversary, and after every attack, be ready to do battle again. After the first battle of this war, Mario feels less pain in his leg. We shall ask Mario’s Field Marshall Oncologist, if this is a good sign. It may suggest that Ewing’s Sarcoma control over Leg-ingrad is lessening. Mario’s motor skills are about the same.
Our agents intercepted the following communication:
Our agents intercepted the following communication:
T O P S E C R E T
F O R Y O U R E Y E S O N L Y
TO: All Field Commanders
FROM: Red Devil. Supreme Allied Commander
Our second offensive will begin on Tuesday, February 7 at 15:00 ZULU time and continue without mercy through Saturday, February 11 . Take no prisoners. As before Vincristine and Ifosfamide our other cancer drug allies, will first initiate a fake flanking attack to the north of Leg-ingrad. I, Red Devil, as the Supreme Allied Commander will personally lead the major frontal assault for four consecutive days at the heart of the enemy. To reduce civilian friendly cell casualties, Mesna will be available continuously. Anti-nausea drugs will also be available.
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