Guy’s Story

Osteosarcoma at the fibula
Age at Diagnosis: 13
Date of Diagnosis: August 2002
Location: New Zealand
Team: Dr. French, Dr. Roft, Aukland City Hospital

Diagnosis: Well it all started when I decided to go to a mate’s birthday party. We were being stupid and the B-day boy launched a kick at his brother, and his brother jumped out of the way, and I landed it in my leg (left leg). It was sore for a couple of days and I decided to go to the doctor. My local GP could feel something in the leg and sent me for an x-ray. Later that day after the x-ray we got a house call from our GP (Paula Matheison); this is not normal in New Zealand. She basically said that our lives would be turned upside down and that it was more than likely going to be cancer! Within a couple of days we were seeing a private orthopedic surgeon, and then referred down to one of the kids hospitals in Auckland, where a biopsy was done and tests confirmed high grade osteo! Being only 13 I didn’t really know how to handle it, but I remember it was a shock to everyone in my family. Within 3 days I had had a port put in my chest and I had started chemotherapy. In NZ we don’t wait around, I was sent to Starship, which is the only pediatric oncology unit in NZ.

Treatment: Treatment was interesting. Cysplatin, Doxo, and Methotrexate. My treatment lasted about 10-12 months with surgery about 5 months into it to remove the top half of my fibula. I was as sick as a dog on the chemo, but I managed to eat when threatened with a feeding tube! Mum would cook me dinner every night and bring it up to the hospital from Ronald McDonald House. I also bucked the trend, I put on weight (only after loosing 20KG’s!) I would have to say my experience with the doctors was great! I had the best oncologist I could have asked for and one of the best orthopedic oncologists as my surgeon! They must have been good as I’m still breathing!!! LOL.

Recovery: Well recovery was one day of physio at the hospital, then learning to walk again. I am nearly 5 years out from diagnosis and nearly 4 years from remission. I would consider myself to be very lucky as I know others who have passed away. I have no physical issues except for a nice long scar and a slight indentation which is hardly noticeable. I am a healthy and typical teenager really!

Life now: As I write this I still live at home – only for another 14 days! I am off to UNI – I am going to be doing a Bachelor of Commerce. I completed 7th Form, got Uni entrance which I’m happy about, and basically showed that I did it. Hobbies – I am an avid cyclist and got to join the awesome guys on the Team Sarcoma 2006 in Denmark – met Mary, which was awesome too!!! This would have to have been one of the highlights for me was meeting so many others who had been in contact with cancer, but importantly from other nations, which shows that this is a global thing which needs to be combated. I am also a trainee Chef and have been doing some waiting over the holidays.

In NZ we have an organization for Teenagers living/post cancer which is called Canteen. I am on the Northland Committee and also Vice Chair for the northland Committee. While I am at UNI I am going to volunteer in the hospital (called Radio Lollipop) where you go entertain sick kids for a couple of hours a week at night. I had a great mate, Wes Clapp, who I met through this – he was the best! He has inspired me to want to give back to others who are in a position where I have been.

And yes I do have a life! I love to socialise (how many teenagers don’t!) and I live life to the full each and every day!

Thoughts for Patients: Hold on to hope!

Mind over matter is one of the most important things to remember. The way my family got through dealing with cancer was humour, it worked for us, I mean its either laughter or crying. There are times to be sad but it doesn’t help you.

If you in a stage where your thinking “Why Me”? Why not you! This is a way to show people who you really are, what you’re made of and show the world that you can survive this disease and make a success of your life. I think that this is something that will determine the person you are to become – it makes you stronger, and it will shape you into something else. You will see life in a totally different way and you will see how precious it is.

Hints for Patients:

1. Drink coke while on chemo – burp a lot with it as it helps to make the sick feeling go away.

2. Get a sickness patch for behind your ear! Put it on 24 hours before so it will be in your system before hand. It is amazing it really works.

3. Home cooked meals over hospital food. Your choice but I know which one I would choose.

4. DRINK LOTS OF FIZZY WHEN ON METHOTREXATE. If you’re like me and impatient and want to get out of hospital faster but those toxin levels are too high, drink coke, and anything else. Lots of it. Coke passes through your body pretty fast so it should hopefully take a lot of the toxins with it! Drink lots of water also.

5. Be Happy!

6. Do something constructive to help the time pass. Do a jigsaw, buy some shares, sell stuff on ebay! I don’t know what you want to do but anything is better than sitting on a bed doing nothing all day!