Drew’s Story – Drew’s Fight

Lion # 108

Three days after our son’s 7th birthday, he came home from school limping.  Drew never complained about it.  When asked what happened he explained he got hurt on the playground.  After a few days the limping continued as well as the pain.  On May 24, 2007, Drew was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer).  His tumor was above his right knee.

Drew immediately began chemotherapy.  Drew was told he could not place any weight on his leg and had to begin using a walker.  One of my initial thoughts was “this will absolutely break Drew’s spirit.”  It was so difficult to watch Drew go through chemotherapy day after day. The chemotherapy made him so sick.  The worst part about the chemo was the terrible mouth sores he would get once his immune system was compromised.  He couldn’t eat, drink or talk.  The only thing that could be done was to be hospitalized with IV pain medication until the sores would heal, which was a terribly slow process.

Drew finished chemotherapy after 10 months.  Most of this time was spent in the hospital coming home for a few days in between.  Drew missed his entire second grade school year.  Drew’s fight did not end with chemotherapy.  Because of the location of his tumor the majority of his femur bone had to be removed early on in his treatment.  We did everything we possibly could to save his leg but after many, many surgeries, infections and painful rehabilitation we had to make the most difficult decision of our lives.  Drew’s leg was amputated.  Our surgeon performed what is called Van Ness Rotation Plasty on September 18, 2008.

Drew also lost some of his permanent hearing from the chemotherapy so he now wears hearing aids.  I used to think one of the hardest trials for my child would be to look so different from the other kids.  However, seeing Drew completely bed ridden for more than 18 months taught me there are far greater challenges than looking different.

Drew missed out on so much normal, simple, every day kid stuff.  He spent many days on the couch or bed as he watched neighborhood children ride their bikes and scooters up and down the street.  He longed to be with them.  He so badly wanted to be able to run with his puppy–the same puppy that has helped him heal tremendously.

Through this experience, I have often thought to myself that I wish I could trade Drew places.  Not really, because I would never want to go through what he has had to go through.  I guess I really just wish I could have taken this challenge away from him.  At those times, I only allow myself to think those thoughts for a short moment, realizing that thinking that way would not change things nor help the situation.

Drew has seldom ever complained about his situation.  He has completely amazed us.  We had no idea what inner strength or courage he was capable of possessing.  It has been a rare occasion not to see Drew with a smile on his face throughout this entire challenge, even immediately before and after his surgeries.

We are now at place of healing that we can look back and be grateful for the deepest feelings of pain and agony that we experienced.  Because we have now been blessed to feel the exact opposite emotions of gratitude and joy.  We now find joy in simple pleasures we took for granted.  What an incredible feeling it was the first time Drew was able to wiggle his toes by himself, take a bath or swim after not being able to be in the water for 19 months.

Drew continues his fight to learn how to do everyday tasks again, such as learning to walk.  We know the future will be filled with challenges but we also know it will be filled with hope!  We are so grateful for the love, compassion, service and prayers that have been shown to us by so many friends, family members and even strangers.  This helped our family find courage.