Michael's Fight-Strongerthansarcoma

In late December of 2015, Michael (16 years old) was at his first basketball practice for the winter season. While doing sprints, he began to favor his right leg similar to experiencing a muscle strain. During that season he rested for a few days at a time and would play on game days sparingly while still limping during the games. During the season, we sought treatment from a few doctors, attended physical therapy for what was thought to be a muscle strain. Each doctor said he displayed all the signs of a strain and to be safe even ordered an x-ray which showed no issues. Michael actually seemed to be getting better slowly with treatment and eventually played in his first full game. Fast forward to spring break March 2016 where again he seemed to be improving and even lost his limp. While playing basketball with his friends and jogging to get a loose ball, he felt the pain once again in his right leg and began to limp again. In late March we decided to take him to San Antonio Orthopedics as his pain now seemed to be around the knee area as well. He was examined and again was told he had a muscle strain that he likely reagravated while playing with his friends during spring break. During the next 2 weeks, he missed a few days of school with some pain in his leg and we decided to request for an MRI to be performed. In early May 2016, only a few hours after his MRI, we received a phone call fom the doctor's office asking us to please come back to the office as soon as possible. Obviously getting a call of that nature only a few hours after the MRI was very concerning so we immediately left work to meet with the doctor. Once there, we received the news that a tumor was discovered on Michael's right femur via the MRI which left us in shock. We were promptly referred to another Orthopedist who put Michael on crutches following his examination and scheduled a biopsy of the tumor for May 11th 2016. It was on that day that we were met by the doctor immediately following surgery and learned that our only child was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma of the right femur which was devastating news to our entire family and friends. We have since visited with an Oncologist and Michael began chemotherapy on Monday May 23, 2016. He is currently scheduled for a 29 week treatment plan to include multiple sessions of Chemo and a major surgery to remove his tumor and reconstruct/graph any bone that is removed.
Michael has been very strong and positive from the day he learned he had a tumor, to the day we had to sit down with him and tell him he had cancer, to the day he sat and listened to details of his cancer and the affects of Chemo from his Oncologist, and during his first session of Chemo. His biggest concern throughout all of this is whether he would ever play basketball again. Our biggest concern as his parents is that we are able to do whatever we can to give him every opportunity to beat this rare cancer.
This account was set up by a relative to provide a way for family, friends, and anyone who would just simply like to assist with the cost's of Michael's treatments and his road towards beating cancer.
Thank you!
#strongerthansarcoma, #teammichael, #mikeystrong