This is the story of my twelve-year-old son, Khadeem S.. My son has always been an energetic, funny child whom you would love to meet and always remember. Khadeem was diagnosed with osteosarcoma December 18th, 2005—this was the day our lives changed for good. He was complaining that his right knee was hurting him for about two weeks. At first, we thought that he injured his knew during gym class at school but there was no visible trauma. We also thought that he was suffering from "growing pains," which is typical in growing pre-teens who are destined to be tall.

On December 17th, we took him to the Cobb Well Star emergency room to find out why our son's knee was hurting. The doctor even thought for a minute that it was possible that Khadeem was suffering from growing pains, but the X-ray revealed that there was a mass located on his right femur. We were directed to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite with the diagnosis of osteomylitis (a bone infection). Surgery was schedule for the next day (12/18/05) to remove the infection from his femur. But, when they inserted the needle into his femur to remove the infection, nothing was returned. So, a biopsy was done and it revealed that it was cancer and not an infection.

We were devastated and scared by this new discovery. Hearing the word "cancer" in reference to my son was enough to send us into a panic. But, we were advised by the doctor that his cancer was caught early and that it was localized. With the chemotherapy followed by surgery to remove the diseased area of his femur, which would be replaced by spacers, my son would recover and be ok. Khadeem was on chemo for three months when it was decided that it was time to do surgery. The necessary tests were ordered to judge the result of the chemotherapy and determine how much the tumor had shrunk as well as how much if his femur would have to be removed.

The shocking new was revealed to us that the chemotherapy did not have any effect on his cancer, in fact, a new tumor was found close to his right hip and the old tumor was growing in stead of shrinking. Amputation was the only option to save our son's life. With great emotion, we told our son the sad news. He handled the news better than we thought he would and he told me that, "if this [amputation] is what it will take to save my life, I am ready to do it." I am so proud of my son's brave decision and the mature way he handles his illness. He told me, "Mom, I can do anything I set my mind to and I can be anything I want to be." A hip disarticulation was done on March 27th, 2006; he was later places on more aggressive chemotherapy to eradicate any residual tumors that might still be present in his body. He is on his third month of chemo. Future tests will be done to determine if all the cancer is gone.

My brave and handsome son has adjusted to his new life as an amputee. He is looking forward to his prosthetic and waiting for the day when his doctor tells him that he is CANCER FREE!!