Scott Dufour’s Journey of Strength and Survival
Interview Date: September 11, 2025
Scott Dufour is a lucky man—and he knows it. Eight years ago, he was working a construction job and found that the pain in his shoulder just wouldn’t heal. He was 51 years old, and construction is hard on your body. He figured he had probably torn his rotator cuff and decided to see his doctor.
The doctor’s visit revealed something far more serious: he had Ewing’s Sarcoma—a rare cancer usually seen in adolescents—and it was already advanced. It had settled into his scapula, the bone like a wing in your back, and it needed attention immediately. Time was of the essence. The worst-case scenario was that he would lose his arm, so he was, in his own words, “on pins and needles!”
Within two weeks, Scott was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments at Moffitt Cancer Hospital in their Sarcoma Program. The options he was presented with were daunting:
- Option #1: Keep his shoulder as it was and proceed with only chemo and radiation, with a 25% survival rate.
- Option #2: Remove the scapula and replace it with a titanium model—no new muscle tissue would grow, but the survival rate was 95%.
Scott chose option #2.
Scott’s wife, Sonia, was a tremendous source of strength—encouraging him and helping him stay focused and positive throughout the process. Treatments were intense: daily bloodwork before chemo sessions that lasted nine hours a day, five days a week, all before surgery. After the operation, he recovered for a time before beginning four more months of treatment to eliminate any lingering cancer cells.
The surgery itself took seven hours. Scott emerged with a sloped shoulder—but with his arm, elbow, wrist, and hand intact, and a brand-new titanium scapula. Recovery was grueling, but every patient’s journey is unique. The amount of tissue removed varies from case to case, and Scott’s doctors and physical therapists worked to restore as much motion as possible.
Throughout recovery, Scott leaned on his family and friends. His job as a realtor allowed him to work from home and stay connected. Volunteering to speak with other cancer patients helped him find purpose, offering encouragement to those enduring treatment.
An avid fisherman, Scott initially mourned the thought of not being able to cast again—but he was alive, and that was what mattered. Over time, he defied expectations. “The doc said I wouldn’t be able to cast out,” he said, “but I CAN!”
Now, seven years later, Scott is considered cured. “Life is great!” he says with gratitude. While his arm will never be the same and his shoulder remains sloped, he’s living proof that attitude, determination, and expert care can change everything.
When asked what advice he’d give to someone newly diagnosed, Scott shared:
“If your doctors give you a chance, go for it! Be focused. Be positive. And FIGHT! It’s tough, but go to a doctor who specializes in the cancer you have and do what they say. They KNOW what to do!”
About the Featured CL7 Writer
Wendy Roberts is a retired nurse with over 40 years of healthcare experience and a lifelong love of writing. Through freelance medical writing, she continues to make a difference—using her knowledge and compassion to help people navigate healthcare challenges with clarity and hope.
