Doctor told girl of ten her cancer was just growing pains
A GIRL of ten was diagnosed with an extremely rare bone cancer that a doctor initially dismissed as nothing more than growing pains.
Amelia Spalding – described by her family as having ‘endless optimism’ – had two operations to remove the cancer in her leg during lockdown.
Eventually her right thigh bone, knee and the top part of her shin had to be removed and replaced by a titanium frame.
Now she faces further chemotherapy for the next 18 weeks and months of physiotherapy.
Her father Tom said his daughter had ‘taken everything in her stride’ throughout the ordeal.
Mr Spalding originally feared Amelia had pulled a muscle after falling off her bike at the start of the year. But in the days that followed he noticed his daughter, from Montgomery, Powys, was walking differently.
On April 1, just a couple of weeks into lockdown, Amelia started complaining of being unable to push down on the pedals of her bike. Mr Spalding added: ‘Her right knee was quite red. It looked a little swollen and angry, so we sent some photos to the local GP.
‘They said it’s more than likely growing pains or an aggravated tendon and not to worry. But I wasn’t happy with it so I sent it to my mum, who is a nurse. She said we should get it checked out.’
X-rays were carried out at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
Within hours they were transferred to the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford where an oncologist told them: ‘I don’t need to see anything else. This is childhood cancer.’ Mr Spalding said: ‘It was pretty horrible news.’ Amelia was diagnosed with osteoblastic osteosarcoma. Only 160 cases of all ages are diagnosed per year.
‘It’s as rare as hen’s teeth,’ said the former naval officer.
Scans revealed that it had not spread. Two weeks later, Amelia began chemotherapy which led to her losing her hair and being very sick. She was operated on at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. During lockdown, only Mr Spalding or Amelia’s mother Nicky Markham has been allowed into hospital with her for treatments. She is still in and out of hospital.
Mr Spalding said: ‘You’re having to make very big decisions through video calls. You feel completely left out of the treatment side. That is really challenging.’