Documentary filmmaker finds courage after chondrosarcoma diagnosis and hemipelvectomy

Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough knows the impact of storytelling. He’s spent 30 years working as a camera operator in television and film. But it wasn’t until his chondrosarcoma diagnosis that Gabriel’s outlook on storytelling changed.

“Cancer was this thing that just epically changed my look at life and the world,” he says. “I spent my career working on other people's stuff, and the night before my surgery, I decided I wanted to make a documentary.”

A chondrosarcoma diagnosis and surgery at MD Anderson

In 2019, Gabriel underwent a routine colonoscopy at a local hospital in Baltimore. He had some complications afterward and was admitted to the emergency room. That’s where a technician noticed a spot on Gabriel’s pelvis. An MRI and a biopsy showed he had chondrosarcoma. Gabriel knew right away that he wanted to see an oncologist who specialized in sarcomas.

A fellow filmmaker recommended MD Anderson. Gabriel got an appointment with sarcoma specialist Dejka Araujo, M.D., who instantly made him feel at ease about his diagnosis.

“Dr. Araujo was absolutely amazing,” Gabriel says. “I never had radiation therapy or chemotherapy, so in many ways, she has been my guide through the process, especially in terms of mentally dealing with having cancer and how to get through it.”

Since surgery to remove the tumor was recommended, Gabriel also met with orthopaedic surgeon Valerae Lewis, M.D. She told Gabriel he would need an internal hemipelvectomy, and he felt confident in Lewis’ extensive experience in performing the surgery.

“Very quickly after meeting Dr. Lewis I knew I could trust her with my life,” Gabriel says. “Dr. Lewis was – and is – my second guide. She saved my life as much as Dr. Araujo did."

Gabriel underwent a 12-hour surgery performed by Lewis and plastic surgeon Matthew Hanasono, M.D. Lewis removed the tumor and a portion of Gabriel’s pelvis. With the help of physical therapist Alex Penny, he took steps within 24 hours after surgery.

Physical therapy gets him back on his feet

Gabriel worked with Penny daily during the week he stayed in the hospital. Over the next few months of physical therapy at home, he gradually went from walking with a walker to using a cane to walking on his own.

“Working with Alex taught me how physical therapy is a lifelong thing,” Gabriel says. “I'm still healing. All the muscles that I lost on the inner side of my right leg are still getting stronger, and I’m still figuring out how to compensate for that. Physical therapy really gave me an understanding of the body.”

During his follow-up appointments every six months, Penny tests Gabriel’s progress by having him walk up and down stairs.

“They’re always amazed at my healing,” Gabriel says. “Every time I do it, I’m quicker and faster. It reminds me that when I finished this surgery, I couldn't walk without help at first.”

Filming a documentary after surgery and physical therapy

Physical therapy has allowed Gabriel to continue leading a healthy and productive life and pursue his dreams. However, the possibility of making a career change weighed on Gabriel the night before his surgery, and that’s when he decided to make a documentary about gun violence in his hometown of Baltimore.

“For so long, I was nervous to make my own film because it’s a lot of work and a lot of money,” Gabriel says. “But with cancer, anything feels a little easier. The night before my surgery, with my stepmom there, I did this grant application, and two months later, when I was in physical therapy, I ended up getting the grant.”

Gabriel spent the next couple of years working on the documentary while still undergoing physical therapy and attending his follow-up appointments at MD Anderson. In 2023, the film was shown at festivals.

Grateful for his care team at MD Anderson

Gabriel’s cancer diagnosis gave him the courage to film the documentary. He says his care team gave him the reassurance of choosing MD Anderson.

“From the beginning, I felt a love and a partnership from Dr. Araujo, Dr. Lewis and from everyone at MD Anderson,” Gabriel says. “I’ll be going to MD Anderson for the rest of my life, so I wanted to make sure I was at the right place. I fly to Houston from Baltimore for all of my scans, and to me, it's well, well worth it.”

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