Seven pathologists agreed with the MSK team that the tumor was cancerous. The team encouraged the family to get second opinions, which they did - 13 of them, from cancer institutions throughout the United States and Europe. Knowing how painful a decision it would be, the doctors wanted Alexandra’s parents to feel sure they were doing what was necessary to save their daughter’s life. If amputation is the right decision, we tell the family it’s what we recommend, and we will support you and help get you through it.” “It takes precedence over everything else. But saving the life of the child is our foremost priority,” Dr. “Every time we see a child with osteosarcoma, it’s our intention to remove the osteosarcoma while preserving the limb. To remove it, the doctors told the family they would need to amputate Alexandra’s leg.Īmputation, says pediatric oncologist Paul Meyers, who oversaw Alexandra’s care, “is a decision we come at very, very reluctantly.” Healey determined the tumor had grown more aggressive and now involved the large blood vessels and nerves of her leg.Īnother biopsy confirmed the tumor was now in fact an osteosarcoma, a type of malignant bone cancer. Plans were made to remove the tumor a second time.īut during the operation, Dr. They hurried home to Brooklyn and quickly got an appointment with Dr. Seven months later, the family was on a Disney cruise to celebrate Alexandra’s recovery and relaxing by the pool when her mom again noticed swelling in Alexandra’s leg. MSK orthopedic surgical oncologist John Healey removed the growth, and Alexandra wore a cast for several months as her leg healed. The family was overjoyed when the tumor was diagnosed as noncancerous. Have her go to Memorial Sloan Kettering,’” recalls Alexandra’s mother, Dianne. An x-ray came back with alarming results. If they notice her prosthetic leg, they may have an inkling that she knows about facing difficult times.Īt age 6, Alexandra developed swelling behind her right knee. During summer break from Johns Hopkins University, Alexandra Capellini volunteers at Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Patient Recreation Pavilion, helping patients and their families with art projects to pass the time and relieve stress.
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March 2023
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