Parents learn that six-year-old son’s growing pains are actually cancerous leg tumors

When six-year-old Nixon Whatcott began complaining in January that his leg was hurting, his parents just assumed he was experiencing growing pains that would subside.

But the pain didn’t go away and, after three weeks of grievances, Nick and Janessa decided to take their son to the local hospital.

Nothing could have prepared the parents of four, from Bluffdale, Utah, for the shocking news.

Nixon was not experiencing growing pains – he had cancerous tumors growing on his leg and they were spreading, leaving him with just a 30 percent chance of survival.

Nixon Whatcott, six (pictured), of Bluffdale, Utah, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, the most common form of bone cancer

Nixon (pictured, with his father Nick) began complaining in January that his leg was hurting

His parents, Nick and Janessa (pictured, with Nixon), just assumed he was experiencing growing pains that would subside

Nixon began complaining in January that his leg was hurting, but his parents, Nick (left) and Janessa (right), just assumed he was experiencing growing pains that would subside

Janessa said that whenever Nixon would complain of the pain in his leg, ‘he’d be off running’ the next day.

‘He’s really active, so my husband and I thought maybe he’d sprained his ankle or had a hairline fracture,’ she told PEOPLE.

When the family finally went to hospital for X-rays, Janessa assumed that doctors might be able to provide suggestions for how to remedy the pain. 

Instead, the doctor asked the couple to speak with him privately. He showed them a tumor the size of an egg on Nixon’s femur.

Within a few hours, the family was at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, where, after taking a sample of the tumor, doctors determined it was cancerous. 

Several smaller tumors were also discovered on Nixon’s left femur. The diagnosis was osteosarcoma.

After three more weeks of complaints, Nixon (pictured, with Janessa) was taken to a local hospital for an X-ray. There it was discovered that a tumor the size of an egg was on his femur

After three more weeks of complaints, Nixon (pictured, with Janessa) was taken to a local hospital for an X-ray. There it was discovered that a tumor the size of an egg was on his femur

Following the X-ray, Nixon (pictured) and his parents paid a visit to Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City

Several smaller tumors were also on Nixon's left femur and the diagnosis was osteosarcoma (Pictured, Nixon)

After a visit to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, several smaller tumors were also on Nixon’s left femur and the diagnosis was osteosarcoma (Pictured, Nixon, left and right)

‘My husband and I lost it. We felt that loss that he’d been given this thing and we couldn’t take it away from him,’ Janessa told PEOPLE.

‘There was nothing we could do for him. We were concerned what the cancer treatments would be. How were we gonna tell him?’

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer. It occurs when the cells that grow new bone form a cancerous tumor.

Most tumors usually develop around the knee – where Nixon’s began – either in the lower part of the thighbone or the upper part of the shinbone.   

If the cancer has not spread, the long-term survival rate is between 70 and 75 percent.

If osteosarcoma has already spread, such as to the lungs or other bones at diagnosis, the long-term survival rate is about 30 percent.

The family learned in the next week that the cancer had spread to his arm and his lungs, where there are several small tumors.

The family learned in the next week that the cancer had spread to his arm and his lungs, where there are several small tumors. The survival rate upon spreading is 30 percent (Pictured, Nixon, third from left, with his dad and three brothers)

The family learned in the next week that the cancer had spread to his arm and his lungs, where there are several small tumors. The survival rate upon spreading is 30 percent (Pictured, Nixon, third from left, with his dad and three brothers)

A port was put in Nixon's chest and, so far, he has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy (Pictured, Nixon, far right, with his three brothers)

A port was put in Nixon’s chest and, so far, he has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy (Pictured, Nixon, far right, with his three brothers)

Nixon (pictured) will also undergo a rotationplasty next week. This is a surgical procedure where the bottom of the femur, the knee, and the upper tibia are surgically removed. The lower leg is then rotated 180 degrees and attached to the femur

Nixon (pictured) will also undergo a rotationplasty next week. This is a surgical procedure where the bottom of the femur, the knee, and the upper tibia are surgically removed. The lower leg is then rotated 180 degrees and attached to the femur

A port was put in Nixon’s chest and, so far, he has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy. 

Janessa and Nick started a Facebook page called NixonStrong where they provide updates on their son’s condition.

On Wednesday, the couple posted that Nixon’s tumors appear to be shrinking but that he faces several more grueling surgeries. 

He will also undergo a rotationplasty next week. This is a surgical procedure where the bottom of the femur, the knee, and the upper tibia are surgically removed. The lower leg is then rotated 180 degrees and attached to the femur. A prosthetic will replace Nixon’s knee. 

‘Nixon’s been frustrated having to come to the hospital a lot. It was hard for him because he wants to have a real leg, he doesn’t want to have a fake leg,’ Janessa said.

‘This has turned our lives upside down, but [Nick and I] just keep in mind that we only have to do this for a short time and he’ll be healthy.’ 

Nick and Janessa have started a YouCaring page to help cover Nixon’s medical bills. So far they have raised more than $41,000 out of a $50,000 goal. 

WHAT IS OSTEOSARCOMA?

Osteocarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, usually diagnosed in teenagers and young adults.

It occurs when the cells that grow new bone form a cancerous tumor.     

The cause of the cancer is unknown but it is thought to be related to rapid bone growth, such as adolescence.

Most tumors usually develop around the knee, either in the lower part of the thighbone or the upper part of the shinbone.

If the cancer has not spread, the long-term survival rate is between 70 and 75 percent.

If osteosarcoma has already spread, such as to the lungs or other bones at diagnosis, the long-term survival rate is about 30 percent.

Symptoms:   

  • Bone pain (in motion, at rest, or when lifting objects)
  • Bone fractures
  • Swelling
  • Redness
  • Limping
  • Limitation of motion of joints

There are a few treatment options for osteosarcoma.

Often administered before surgery, chemotherapy uses drugs that help shrink and kill cancerous cells. The length of treatment varies and may depend on whether the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. 

In most cases, surgeons can save the cancerous limb. The tumor and surrounding bone are removed and the missing bone is replaced with an artificial one.

A rotationplasty is where the bottom of the femur, the knee, and the upper tibia are surgically removed. The lower leg is then rotated 180 degrees and attached to the femur.

Sources: Macmillan and Healthline

 



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