天美传媒

At 67 years old, David Gonsalves moves with the energy of someone half his age. A lifelong resident of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, David is often found swimming in the ocean, skiing New Hampshire’s slopes, spending time with his grandkids, or planning his next whitewater rafting adventure. He’s been self-employed for 40 years as an electrical contractor and still works part-time as an inspector for the town of Westport. Retirement, he says, is “more of a suggestion.”

David’s active life hit an unexpected roadblock in early 2019, when he began experiencing stiffness behind his right knee. His local orthopedic doctor suspected a Baker’s cyst—a fluid-filled swelling that’s common in athletes—or possibly arthritis. But despite their reassurances, the discomfort slowly worsened until David could barely bend his leg.

After years of worsening symptoms and visits to different orthopedic doctors, one finally decided to try a procedure to drain what had long been assumed to be a minor issue. But that changed everything. When the doctor began the ultrasound, he stopped almost immediately. “This isn’t what I thought it was,” he told David, and ordered an MRI. Later that day, David received a call: the scan revealed a large mass behind his knee, stretching up into his thigh and measuring over 20 centimeters.

The tumor was later identified as a low-grade sarcoma—a rare, cancerous growth that develops in the body’s connective tissues, such as fat, muscle, or bone. While low-grade sarcomas are less likely to spread beyond their original location, they can still grow or spread at a slower, more gradual pace compared to high-grade sarcomas and require treatment by cancer specialists.

David was quickly referred to Dana-Farber Brigham 天美传媒, where he met Brigham and Women’s surgical oncologist , an expert in soft tissue sarcomas and complex gastrointestinal tumors. After reviewing the scans, Dr. Fairweather explained that the tumor needed to be removed and walked David through the potential risks, including nerve damage and long-term mobility issues. The tumor was pressing against the sciatic nerve and entangled with nearby muscle, making surgery delicate. Still, Dr. Fairweather’s calm and confident approach reassured David that he was in the right hands.

In May 2025, David underwent an intricate, ultrasound-guided surgery using advanced techniques. The tumor—about the size of a softball—was successfully removed, while the sciatic nerve was skeletonized—a highly precise process in which surrounding tissue is carefully dissected away to preserve the nerve’s function. This was critical, as the sciatic nerve controls movement and sensation in the leg, protecting it was essential to avoiding long-term mobility issues.

The recovery, David said, was “outstanding.” After two weeks with a drain and some help from visiting nurses and physical therapists, he returned to Dana-Farber Brigham to have his sutures removed. Just 30 days after the procedure, Dr. Fairweather gave him the green light to return to swimming.

“I asked him, ‘When can I swim again?’ and he said after 30 days. I took that literally,” David said with a laugh. “That day, I was in the ocean.”

And he hasn’t stopped since. Nearly every day, David swims a mile or more off the South Coast—rain or shine. He walks a mile each evening and recently returned from a week in New Hampshire where he hiked, swam, and enjoyed playing with his grandchildren.

“I feel like I have my life back,” he said. “At just under two months post-surgery, my mobility is almost totally restored. No pain, no restrictions. I’m not a guy who sits still, so this has meant everything to me.”

One of the most unexpected parts of his experience was the connection he formed with Dr. Fairweather—not just as a physician, but as a fellow athlete.

“When he told me he does triathlons, that really struck a chord,” David said. “I swim in the ocean almost every day. We talked about fitness, pushing yourself, and recovery. That bond really meant a lot to me—it made the whole experience more human.”

Dr. Fairweather believes that “one of the most critical aspects of patient care is connecting with your patients in order to build trust, relay compassion, and to help set expectations for recovery and overall outcomes.”

“The technical and anatomical considerations of surgery are the foundation of what we do as surgeons, however, we do not underappreciate the role we play in patient’s lives and the humanistic approach to medicine,” Dr. Fairweather added.

Now back to work part-time and enjoying summer with his wife Cathy, their two children, and five grandchildren between the ages of one and seven, David is looking forward to what’s next, including another whitewater rafting trip in Maine and a fall getaway to the White Mountains.

He also has a message for others who might be facing a similar situation.

“If your doctor says Dana-Farber Brigham, don’t hesitate. Don’t worry about the drive or the logistics—just go,” he said. “It’s worth it. You’ll be in the best hands.”