Our journey with Sam’s tumor began on January 1, 2012 when he was 7 years old. We woke up happy and excited about the New Year and enjoying quality time at home in Erie, Pa., with family. We were wrestling around and Sam hollered that his lower leg was in pain when someone grabbed onto it. We checked it out, as he had complained before, and we noticed a slightly raised area, no bigger than a thumbnail.
The following day, we made an appointment with our family doctor and were seen immediately. He ran a few tests on Sam including an X-ray, a CT scan, and blood work, but nothing was showing up for concern.
Our doctor explained, “I don’t mean to scare you, but this could be nothing or it could be bad. You should go to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC as they are the best in the region to handle anything that this could be.” We scheduled an appointment right away and were seen by R. Cartland Burns, MD, former clinical director, General and Thoracic Surgery. He informed us that we had three choices with this lump; do nothing, which he didn’t recommend; monitor it to see what it does; or remove it immediately. We didn’t want to panic or jump too quick into a surgery, so we scheduled a follow-up appointment and went home to monitor Sam.
About three weeks later, Sam was roller-skating with friends and fell to the ground. Another child ran over his leg in the exact spot where he was experiencing pain. The area swelled up quickly, so we thought it may be broken. We took him to UPMC Hamot for an X-ray and again, nothing was found. We called Dr. Burns to inform him of our decision to remove the lump. We just couldn’t have Sam live with this pain, and the fear it would be hit every time he was out playing a sport with friends or family.
We scheduled the surgery for April 11, 2012 to remove the lump. After the surgery, Dr. Burns came to the waiting area and told us that they didn’t know what it was, but he had called Pathology, and it didn’t look good. It was going to be tested; normally it would take a week, but they were rushing it. The floor fell out from beneath us.
We were released from the hospital and told we would get a call.
We received the call on Monday afternoon that Sam was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor that usually develops in teenagers. From that point on, our journey with the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology began and treatment plans started. Michael Wollman, MD, a pediatric oncologist, was on the phone with us that afternoon as well. What a terrific guy, both as a person and physician. We love him like a grandfather.
We met with him, his nurses, and then were sent to UPMC Shadyside to meet with Richard McGough, MD, a pediatric orthopaedic oncologist. He was fantastic. He even gave us his cell phone number in case we were ever overwhelmed, confused, or just needed to talk.
For Sam, this was tough, since in his head he was NOT sick, but he could tell it was bad.
The following week arrived and were scheduled to have Sam’s port placed with
Interventional Radiology, and then to begin chemotherapy. What a scary and trying time for the whole family. We were all devastated by this diagnosis, but again, we had help. The Child Life Department at Children’s was there to get us settled. Our social worker, also fantastic, led us through the maze of paperwork that is involved in this diagnosis. We soon learned that the residents and fellows would be our lifeline. Dr. Betsy was there when we needed her support, along with many others. Ronnie, a nurse practitioner, answered my call immediately, every single time I called. We had some doctors that were always so kind and caring while in the hospital, including Scott Maurer, MD; Randy Windreich, MD; and Peter Shaw, MD. We love them all too!
Throughout the long nine months of treatment, the entire staff at Children’s Hospital was fantastic from the cleaning staff, to the nurses, and all the way to the transport team. Each and every person we met made us feel welcome and more importantly, for Sam, special. Our 11-year-old daughter often was with us at the hospital and she was treated like a queen. Our daughter was with us for most of the nine months when she could miss school, and we feel it was a great learning experience for her.
Sam had a big surgery in July 2012 and we spent five days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. While it was a tough place for the family, Sam was made to feel like a king. The staff was outstanding, and he had entertainment to keep his mind off his recovery.
We have so many great memories to share. We played bingo with some wonderful women from the housekeeping staff. Sam was never left with nothing to do — there were always volunteers to play with, games to play, crafts to do, and dogs to pet. We were involved in the music therapy, pet therapy, and art therapy programs, which all really helped to take our minds off the treatment and side effects.
Sam also looked forward to his time with longtime volunteer, Ted, the card guy. He came every Wednesday night and Sam’s week was complete when he got to negotiate the card collection with him.
The Child Life staff of Mike, Erin, and Dana were just outstanding; from being there every second of the day, to be sure that all of their patients had what they needed, and that they could get through whatever procedures they would have during the day. Mike will be forever in Sam’s mind as what got him through.
We also took advantage of every single party and event that the hospital offered, from the fall parties, the ‘DVE Rocks for Children’s Radiothon and the family game night hosted by Pittsburgh Steelers alumni.
At last, his treatment ended and we were sent home with a fantastic prognosis. For Sam,
life was changing again. He had to leave all the fantastic friends he had made. He said that 2012 was the best year of his life; all compliments of Children’s.
When we go back for a checkup, it is like visiting family. We always plan on staying most of the day, just to say hello to all of “our staff. ” We can’t thank everyone: There were just too many people involved in Sam’s time at Children’s.
While nothing is certain, we can say with great certainty, that we could have received no better care, medically or mentally. Children’s Hospital is absolutely the very best at treating the whole family.