This Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, 15-year-old Angelina Dilcher shares her story of facing a rare and painful bone cancer called osteosarcoma.
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Despite losing most of her left arm bone to this disease, Angelina has returned to doing what she loves most, gymnastics, and continues to inspire others with her courage and resilience.
A Rare Diagnosis and Challenging Treatment
Angelina was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her left arm during seventh grade.
Pediatric oncologist, Dr. Stephanie Fetzco of Texas Children’s Hospital, said Angie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her left arm a few years ago.
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The treatment plan for Angelina was several months of chemotherapy to shrink the tumor, followed by surgery, and then additional chemotherapy.
“The surgery takes a while to plan. Hopefully, chemotherapy condenses the tumor before surgery. After surgery and recovery, more chemotherapy follows,” Dr. Fetzgo said.
Angelina’s surgery was complex. Most of her humerus was removed and replaced with her own fibula bone from her leg. This live bone transfer allows the bone to grow with her, unlike cadaver bones or titanium implants.
The Physical and Emotional Toll
The cancer caused Angelina severe pain, which she described vividly:
“It felt as if like knives were poking my bone,” she said. “It affected the way I could lift my arm and stuff.”
Post-surgery, Angelina faced limitations due to muscle and nerve loss but regained significant function through physical and occupational therapy.
“Most patients require therapy. It’s a process, not an instant fix. With great therapists and family support, Angie regained strength. The goal is to maximize function going forward,” Dr. Fetzgo said.
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Despite these challenges, Angelina returned to gymnastics, adapting her routines to accommodate her arm’s strength.
“She’s a very determined young woman. She learned to do back handsprings with one arm, minimizing pressure on her recovering arm. Children are resilient and find ways to do what they love, sometimes differently,” Dr. Fetzgo praised her patient.
Finding New Meaning and Hope
“At the beginning of my treatment, I was really sad and didn’t want to leave my room. But then I just came to terms... I began to take advantage of all the activities they did. I began to see it not as a problem but as just another obstacle I needed to overcome,” Angelina said.
She also took her experience further by conducting a science project during treatment. She experimented with ways to metabolize a certain medication faster by drinking alkaline water, cranberry juice, and Coke, which helped reduce her hospital stay. Though not scientifically proven yet, her project showed her proactive spirit and desire to help others.
The Family’s Gratitude and Support
Angelina’s family expressed deep gratitude for the care they received at Texas Children’s Hospital, describing the staff as family:
“Texas Children’s saved our daughter’s life. They acted quickly and planned ahead to avoid delays. The nurses and doctors were amazing, always answering questions immediately.”
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They also appreciated the hospital’s efforts to bring joy to children during treatment through activities and support, which helped Angelina stay engaged and positive.
A Call for Greater Research and Awareness
Angelina hopes her story raises awareness about pediatric cancer and the need for more research, especially for osteosarcoma treatments that haven’t changed much in 30 years.
“It is an area in research that hasn’t been investigated as much as like other cancers and they’re all important but I feel like looking into ones that haven’t been changed in a while need to like have more research,” she said, “Then kids like me can speed up their recovery and they don’t have to like go through this like long and strenuous journey.”
A Message of Resilience
Angelina’s story is a powerful testament to the strength, courage, and hope that children with cancer embody every day.
As we observe Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, Angelina’s journey reminds us of the importance of supporting research, providing compassionate care, and standing with every child fighting cancer.