Amanda

Story by her mom, Suzanne

Back in 2004, our Independence Day festivities had to be cut short.  Our little girl, Amanda, had a small lump on her leg.  She was taken to Children’s National Medical Center for a routine X-ray.  When we later received a call from the doctor, we knew it wasn’t good news.

It was clear that Amanda had bone cancer, but a biopsy was needed to determine what kind and how to treat it.  Initially, she was thought to have osteosarcoma, but tests revealed that it was a much more dangerous and rare type of cancer for a child so young.  Amanda had Ewing’s sarcoma, which left only one option for treatment.  She would not only have to endure some of the most difficult chemotherapy offered, Amanda would need to have her leg amputated. 

Today, Amanda is out of the hospital, has completed kindergarten, and is doing remarkably well.  Thanks to Amanda's new prosthetic leg, her family can barely keep up with her.

Says Amanda, “I had cancer. Now, thanks to Children’s National, I have a really cool robot leg that helps me walk.  Everyone in my class wishes they had a robot leg, too!”