This is Aiden. He’s 15, an avid gamer, anime and movie lover. In 2022 he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a very aggressive and rare bone cancer.
His family are sharing Aiden’s diagnosis story to raise awareness of childhood cancer signs and symptoms.
Aiden’s symptoms started as pain in his leg and he was struggling to walk. His family thought it was a strained muscle from a PE class, but the pain persisted so they took him to the GP.
Aiden’s mum Sarah explains:
“They checked his leg and said he had a vitamin D deficiency. We received a blood form and went on our merry way.
“Then two days later we had to get Aiden out of school due to extreme pain. Once we got home and looked at his leg we saw a bulge in his thigh. We saw the GP the same day and got an immediate referral. We are fortunate to have Bupa care, and one week later my mum took Aiden to a consultant.
Aiden’s grandmother, Kerry, continues:
“We arrived early, and Aiden, despite his limp and pain, was still hopeful that rest would be the remedy. But after examining him, the consultant asked to speak with me privately.
“I could feel my heart begin to race as he spoke to me in a hushed tone, careful not to alarm Aiden. He mentioned osteosarcoma—a term that was completely foreign to me. When I asked what we should do next, the urgency in his response told me more than any medical term could.
“We were quickly sent for an X-ray and an MRI. The speed of the process was impressive, but it only fuelled my anxiety. I called Sarah to keep her updated, trying to stay calm and not jump to conclusions. Yet, when the consultant finally sat me down, the words I had been dreading were spoken: they believed Aiden had cancer in his femur.
“My heart shattered in that moment. The instinct to break down and cry was overwhelming, but I knew I had to remain strong—for Aiden’s sake.
“Telling Aiden the news was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
“As we sat in the car, I explained as gently as I could that the lump on his thigh was something called osteosarcoma, and that it needed further testing in the hospital. He was only 12 years old. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, the worry in his eyes, but I stayed focused on keeping him calm and reassured.
“This was the beginning of a journey we never anticipated—a journey that has tested us all in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
“But through it all, our love for Aiden and our determination to stay strong for him have been unwavering. The road ahead is long, but we face it together, holding on to hope and each other.”
We’re so grateful to Aiden and his family for shining a light on how childhood cancer symptoms can be similar to other illnesses.
Most of the time it won’t be cancer, but we encourage everyone to know the symptoms and not be afraid to ask for more tests if you feel something isn’t right with your child. You know your child best.
