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Story from Tina

Written in July 2004 by Tina, mother to Paige (age 12 when diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right leg)

Hi. My 12 year-old daughter, Paige, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in May 2002.

Unfortunately....this was not her first battle with cancer. She was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma when she was three years old (1995). The tumor was just above her knee in her right leg. She went through a year of chemo and radiation. When she was about to begin the radiation, I was told that it could cause a secondary cancer later in life, but there was no other option.

Paige remained in remission for the next six years. Her father, Shawn, also battled cancer many times from 1994-2002. He had breast cancer in 1994, bone and lung cancers in 1997. Then in 2001 he relapsed and was told he was terminal. He passed away on March 12, 2002, at the age of 37.

Then just two months after his death, Paige began complaining of pain in that same leg. We went for X-rays and were again given bad news. This time she had osteosarcoma. It was in the same place as the rhabdomyosarcoma. So, once again my brave little girl was in for a fight. She had chemo and leg salvage surgery. She finished her treatments right before Easter 2003.

About two weeks ago, Paige began having pain in that leg again. I feared IT was back. She had an X-ray done and what we found is that the hardware in her leg has pulled away from the bone some, causing pain. Now...she has to go to the hospital on July 8th for some scans, and, if all is clear,...she will have surgery on the 13th to remove the hardware and put in a rod. The doctor says this will be better for her. I am sorry that she has to go through another surgery, but so HAPPY it isn't CANCER!!

Paige has been through alot in her 12 years of life and she is a HERO in my eyes.

Her mom,
Tina Haney

An Update from Tina, September 30, 2004:

Paige had surgery on July 13th to remove the hardware and put in a rod. Paige's surgery went very well and she is back on her feet again! Paige still has a limp but probably always will. But a limp is a small price to pay to have your leg and your life!! She continues to do well and goes for her next set of scans in November.