Maxi’s Journey an Update

Maxi’s Journey an Update

Maxi was just 15 months old when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma.  He endured surgery four times and 23 rounds of chemotherapy along with a raft of other tests, scans and treatments. ANZSA brought you his story two years ago and wanted to provide you with an update on how little Maxi is progressing.  

Maxi is now 6 years old and has been cancer free for 4.5 years!  He is a happy bubbly little boy who is passionate about dinosaurs, animals and the water.  

It has not been an easy journey for Maxi or his family.  Maxi’s sarcoma is rare and being in Tasmania meant there was only one other child who had been through the same journey, of having a Rotationplasty. While Maxi can walk on the leg that was affected by his sarcoma he relies on a prosthetic leg for many activities, although he finds it uncomfortable. Maxi has hours of occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and speech therapy each month to help him with the side effects of his treatment and disease.  

Maxi is very close to the magical five year cancer free marker. After five years there is a very good chance his sarcoma won’t come back. In Maxi’s mum Julie’s mind,   the cancer won’t return.  She is very positive that the team did a fabulous job when the sarcoma was removed with clear margins. Every now and again Maxi will ask “do I have cancer” but otherwise he doesn’t like to talk about it.

Maxi would love to have his sarcoma leg turned around so it looks like his other leg but the family focus on what Maxi can do and keep him positive.  

He has his long awaited “Make a Wish” fulfilment happening very soon.  Maxi can’t wait to visit Australia Zoo and see all the animals he loves learning about in real life. What a fantastic wish for a little boy that is passionate about animals.

Maxi is fortunate to be one of the children reaching his five year cancer free marker. Not all children are so fortunate. Research is needed to ensure all patients have the best opportunity to be cancer free. If you are in a position to donate to sarcoma research to help others, please do.  

To Maxi and Julie, thank you for sharing your sarcoma journey with us.