Good Evening, I am writing Journalists in the Boston area, in hopes that you will write a story about my nephew, John William Melia, (William). The story starts with his sister, Courtney. Her cancer was not immediately diagnosed because the pediatrician told her three times that she had a pulled muscle. The doctor said that only rest and time would help it heal. It was not until her mom demanded an xray, that they found the cancer. At that time it had progressed to stage four. After an extremely long fight and nearly loosing Courtney twice, she became cancer free. Just months after Courtneys fight was over, my nephew, her brother, William, had a swollen knee. Their mom immediately took him to Childrens Hospital. They said it was a pulled muscle. Doctor said it was not necessary to xray a pulled muscle, he said it was one in a trillion that two children in the same family would have osteosarcoma. She demanded the xray and he was immediately diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Words can never explain what happened to William and my family that day. Diagnosed at 13 years old, it has been a very long, grueling 4 years for William. He lost so much and he continues to fight. With each previous scan, the cancer has spread. In September, William had great plans for his 17th birthday, he and his dad were going to get matching tattoos. It was 5 days before his birthday and 11 days before his body scan, when he got the absolute sudden news of his fathers death. William A. Melia (Billy) died in his sleep at age 50. William buried his father the day before his birthday, one week before his body scan at Childrens Hospital. This seven year battle with cancer has taken a toll on our family. We have a saying, Where there is a will, there is a way. With Billy gone and William continuing his struggle, we have hope because the scan after his dads death showed no new growth and his scan taken last week, again, showed no new growth. I believe his dad in Heaven has shined down on his son. We have good news but we are not in the clear yet, his cancerous tumors have not shrunk. The tumor behind his heart has not grown, but it is imperative that it shrinks so the heart surgeon and oncologist can remove the cancer. William continues to fight the cancer and control the diabetes (he went into keytoses three weeks ago and we nearly lost him)!!! He was rushed by ambulance to Good Samaritian Hospital, then taken to Childrens Hospital ICU where he stayed for five days. My nephew is a Warrior. He is the bravest, strongest fighter I know. He is an inspiration to all that meet him. William has his days when he does not feel he can fight anymore. After two cleaner scans, he is a happy teenager. He smiles, he laughs, he lives. My wish for his story to be heard is for many reasons, they are for him and for others. The reasons are: Awareness, Support, Inspiration and Courage. I would like to hear from you in hopes that you would write this story. Please let me know. Thank you, Debbie Rice, Auntie John William Melia
Posted on: Sun, 09 Nov 2014 02:34:59 +0000
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