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Story from Enrique

Hello, my name is Enrique Lebron. When I was 15, I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. My tumor was located on my right tibia bone.

Months prior to my diagnosis, I was having lots of pain (a very sharp pain). I really didn't think much of it, since I thought that I just bruised my leg from playing basketball, until I noticed swelling in the area where the pain got worse over time.

Being young and afraid of hospitals, I kept the pain to myself and did not tell anyone about it, including my mother. I spent most of the summer that year in pain. I started school that fall, and by that time the pain and swelling had become worse, so I decided to go to the school nurse. I was blessed because a doctor just happened to be visiting the school that day. When I showed the nurse the swelling on my leg, she called the doctor in the office to take a look at it. He quickly believed that there was something more than swelling and asked me to call my mother at work so that she could pick me up and take me to the hospital for further evaluation.

I went to the hospital that day; they took some X-rays and noticed a mass on my upper right leg. I was then referred to an orthopedic doctor who agreed there was a large mass and referred me to Dr. Freedlander, an orthopedic oncology surgeon at Yale University. Dr. Freelander performed a biopsy and the very next day I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. WOW!!!... I would have never imagined that at 15 I would have cancer. At that time I thought cancer was an "old people disease".

Things happened so quickly. One minute I was at school and three days later I was already in the hospital getting a portacath (implanted device used for giving drugs) put in so that I could start treatment. I was feeling overwhelmed because, even as I was starting my first round of chemo, I didn't know or understand the extent of my cancer or much of what was going to happen. It took me weeks to learn and accept what I was going to go through. My prognosis was ok -- 12 months of chemo, a bone graft (healthy bone taken from another part of your body) surgery, months of rehab, and on with my life -- but sadly it didn't go that way.

After a few months of chemo my tumor shrank enough to perform the bone graft, but weeks after the bone became infected. That started a domino effect of 17 more surgeries -- due to infections and skin grafts -- not to mention that throughout those months, my chemo was postponed so that my immune system could get stronger. My doctors decided that chemo was a priority and put a temporary cement rod in to fill the gap where they removed the tumor and bone, so that I could finish my chemo protocol. Then the plan was to try the bone graft for a second time to try to save my leg. After successfully finishing my last chemo round, I celebrated with family, friends, and my guardian angels (my nurses). The doctors allowed a couple of months before having the surgery so that my immune system could get stronger.

In those following weeks I was really unsure if going through another bone graft was the right thing for me because I was told that there may be complications due to other issues -- my knee was fused, my muscle tissue was weak and they couldn't guarantee that the outcome would be great. I really wanted to move on with my life and not have anything hold me back.

I personally researched and met people who had artificial legs. I found out that most of the people that I met had very active lives. Some ran, played sports, snow skied, ride bikes and really had a great outlook on their lives. I weighed my options and I decided that the best thing for me was to have my leg amputated. I believed that this route was the best one for me, if I wanted to move on with my life and not have to go though any more surgeries or complications.

I had my leg amputated when I was 17, and BOY! I wished I had it done from the get-go. The minute I woke up from surgery I felt like I could really begin my life and move towards my future. It wasn't easy at first. I had to relearn how to walk again, but I did it. It was difficult, but after months of rehab, I walked with crutches, months later walked with just a cane, and months after that walked without a cane.

I am now 25 years old and I feel blessed to be alive. God has given me another chance at life. He put my guardian angels (my nurses and doctors) here on earth to help along the way, and I am grateful to them. I recently got married to a wonderful woman who is very supportive and loves me unconditionally. I am going to school to become a medical assistant and hopefully in the future an oncology nurse. I am a survivor of cancer and I pray to god to stay like that. I look forward to my future and starting a family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story with you. Take care and God bless you. Remember, never give up!

Enrique's Update: October 2006

My story was posted on this website about three years ago, but I wanted to give you an update on things. I've finished Medical Assisting School and am currently working at the Harry Gray Cancer Center in Hartford Connecticut, working with cancer patients. I love my job, although it can be sad at times having to see others suffer from cancer and knowing that at one time my life I was there. On the other hand, it is so rewarding to be able to give back and to help others by sharing my story.

I am also very happy to say that I am a new father of a beautiful little girl. We named her Ariana, and she is now 7 months old. I have entered a new chapter in my life, a life that I don't take for granted. I have my daily challenges with my disability, but as long as I have the ability to continue on working and making a difference in someone else's life, then all my hard work pays off.