Be wel Emanuel

Hello, my name is Emanuel, I am a boy from Paraguay diagnosed with Osteosarcoma and this is my story;

It all started in September 2022 when a discomfort near the knee intensified as the days went by, running and playing that were part of my life became something that I did not enjoy as before due to the pain I felt in my leg a week ago, my mother requested an appointment with the doctor as the pain increased as the days went by.

Once in the hospital the doctor recommended that it would be ideal to perform an X-ray of the left leg to have a view of the area involved, once it was done the doctor observed with concern a low area of the femur near the knee where some fissures and a dark spot were observed, it was then when we were advised to perform more studies with images such as tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, where we would see exactly why that area it had those peculiar characteristics. The results of the new images had arrived, you could see a dark-looking mass that was growing inside the bone, unfortunately everything indicated that it was a "Tumor", which led to that area weakening and breaking, a feeling of chills and fear invaded our body just thinking that this was happening, there was only one more step left; to perform a biopsy to confirm what type of tumor it would be and consider what treatment would be indicated. The days passed, the biopsy had been performed, we had the results in our hands praying that it was not something serious and from one moment to the next our life changed, 10/15/2022 the confirmation of Osteosarcoma, one of the grayest days for the whole family had arrived, the feeling of uncertainty, desperation, fear, gave us goosebumps and anxieties on the surface in view of an uncertain future and an illness unknown to us.

Starting this new stage in our lives, my parents chose to follow medical treatment in the best public hospital for children in our country, which is specialized in treatment against childhood cancer, the "Niños de AcostaÑu" Pediatric General Hospital, there they offered us a plan of 14 chemotherapies in two stages, where there would be the possibility of surgeries in between.

Starting the first 7 chemotherapies were very hard, with side effects such as fever, dehydration, mouth sores and constant nausea that led us to take certain precautions and changes in my life, I could no longer share with many people, my activities such as school, soccer practices, dance and painting were at a distance and some were even restricted because the chemotherapy left my body immunosuppressed and it was more likely that I would contract some disease, generating stronger symptoms than a flu or a common belly ache would.

The first stage was complete, the corresponding studies carried out and the possibility that I did not have the need for an amputation was already a fact, 03/30/23 I underwent bone transplant surgery in the femur, after 6 long hours of the procedure I was finally with my parents in the room, ready for my recovery celebrating another battle won.

Entering the 3rd stage there was only the recovery from the surgery and starting the remaining chemotherapies, thank God the second part of the scheme was much easier, I guess my body would have gotten used to the medicine, thus making the side effects much milder, in some intervals I did not even have them.

The day of the last chemo had arrived, we celebrated and hugged each other, we shared, laughed and played, we carried out the corresponding final studies demonstrating positive results, we were again sure to continue our path together that had been paused as a result of this great test that the whole family was going through, a light of hope at the end of the dark tunnel full of uncertainties.

The months passed, day by day I became stronger, physiotherapies began to regain strength and elasticity in my left leg since I was without mobility for a long time, I finished first grade being a better student despite my absences as a result of chemotherapies, Christmas and the new year were approaching! Day after day I shared with my family and friends again, a new stage began, a stage where I was a healthy child again and we would focus on continuing our path as a family

28/01/2024 my uncle's birthday, sharing a delicious barbecue with friends and family, the day started with joy! But in an instant the concern took over all the people who were in the place when my parents noticed a slight swelling in the left leg, specifically in the area of the bone transplant surgery, the doubts and worries seemed to have only moved away a little, to return stronger to be part of our lives again, all that remained was to determine the cause, but taking into account the precedent we were preparing for the worst. February 2024 the confirmation that the Cancer had returned tore apart our hopes and clouded our path since after several studies it was also confirmed that it was already in a metastatic state, involving part of the muscles of the leg and left lung initially, in conclusion the Cancer did not respond as expected to the chemotherapeutic treatment to which it was exposed, we only had to look for other treatment options to try to reverse or stop the metastasis. After a lot of research by my parents on hospitals that are specialized in Osteosarcoma and with the help of the Paraguayan embassy in NYC we found a feasible treatment for my current condition at that time at Weill Cornell Medicine Hospital in charge of Dr. Alexander Chou, a specialist in the care of children with pediatric sarcomas, including osteosarcoma, but we had to move fast as the new tumor in my left leg grew faster day after day and the pain became more frequent and sometimes unbearable. 13/05/2024 After two long months of new chemotherapies, bureaucratic procedures of paperwork to be able to come to the United States and 22 days of fever in a row we finally took a flight to NYC in search of a miracle that will help us improve my condition and find a treatment that will help us get out of this painful situation for all my family and loved ones that I left behind...