Distal femur resection
replacement by expandable prosthesis
Spadicia Harris is 8 years old girl born on a beautiful Caribbean island called Antigua. On August of 2004 while jumping rope, Spadicia slipped and fell on her right leg. From that moment on, Spadicia has complained of pain and swelling around the knee. As a concerned parent I took her to the emergency room where an X-ray was done. I was very concerned because the femur looked unusual on x-ray. A biopsy was suggested and the result of the biopsy was osteogenic sarcoma. After researching osteosarcoma on the internet, I was crazy realizing my little girl was very sick. Determined to find a solution, we went to New York City. I met a wonderful doctor at the Westchester County Medical Center who was willing to treat Spadicia - Dr. Jayabose, a pediatric oncologist. In November of 2005 Spadicia started chemotherapy. I was then referred to another wonderful doctor named Professor Samuel Kenan, an orthopedic oncologist and chief of the orthopedic oncology at NYU/Hospital for Joint Diseases. Along with his team, Professor Kenan transferred my daughter to NYU where a limb sparing surgery was performed. Professor Kenan removed the tumor from Spadicia’s leg and replaced it with a telescoping expandable prosthesis.
A few days following the surgery Spadicia was already up, out of bed, and walking with a walker.
I give thanks for the generosity of these who donated to the fund for her prosthesis. I also thank Dr. Jayabose and Professor Kenan who donated their time and expertise so that Spadicia could see a better future: a future where she is able to walk and hopefully return back home and play with her friends.
Spadicia Harris is 8 years old girl born on a beautiful Caribbean island called Antigua. On August of 2004 while jumping rope, Spadicia slipped and fell on her right leg. From that moment on, Spadicia has complained of pain and swelling around the knee. As a concerned parent I took her to the emergency room where an X-ray was done. I was very concerned because the femur looked unusual on x-ray. A biopsy was suggested and the result of the biopsy was osteogenic sarcoma. After researching osteosarcoma on the internet, I was crazy realizing my little girl was very sick. Determined to find a solution, we went to New York City. I met a wonderful doctor at the Westchester County Medical Center who was willing to treat Spadicia - Dr. Jayabose, a pediatric oncologist. In November of 2005 Spadicia started chemotherapy. I was then referred to another wonderful doctor named Professor Samuel Kenan, an orthopedic oncologist and chief of the orthopedic oncology at NYU/Hospital for Joint Diseases. Along with his team, Professor Kenan transferred my daughter to NYU where a limb sparing surgery was performed. Professor Kenan removed the tumor from Spadicia’s leg and replaced it with a telescoping expandable prosthesis.
