A BENDIGO family is struggling emotionally and financially after their 10-year-old son was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma.
Teale Hammond grazed his leg in a fall at school just before the spring holidays. A week later it was still sore, swollen and and the skin was tight.
He's now undergoing chemotherapy in Melbourne, and facing the possible removal of a warped leg bone.
Mum Bec Hammond said she instantly knew something was wrong when she felt Teale's still-sore leg a week on from his fall.
A series of doctors' appointments, ultrasounds and X Rays revealed a five inch long tumour, as thick as Teale's adjacent fibula.
The tumor's size has warped the adjacent bone, meaning doctors may need to remove it. Ms Hammond said Teale will hopefully still be able to walk afterwards, as it was the thinner fibula.
Teale is now undergoing chemotherapy, which will last for the next nine months.
Ms Hammond said Teale's diagnosis had been a huge shock to the family.
She said financially the family was not coping, with two broken down vehicles this week meaning they had to be dropped off for Teale's most recent round of chemotherapy.
Ms Hammond said while Teale was a "trooper", he had a long road ahead of him for recovery.
But Ms Hammond said doctors were confident Teale would survive, and biopsies showed the tumor had not spread.
She said siblings Kallan, Koa and Deon missed their older brother terribly while he was in Melbourne.
"It's been a huge shock to be honest. We've got our own difficulties as life is already, then this happens and it kind of puts a huge spanner into the works," Mrs Hammond said.
"You don't expect it. It's not something you can foresee. It's just been a real huge hit to our family."
Ms Hammond said she and husband Marshall were trying to stay strong for Teale, and focus on getting him better.
She said her husband had described the cancer like a bad guy. Teale's battle will be big, but he has a huge army of family, doctors, nurses and friends behind him.
The family have begun a Facebook page to keep family, friends and supporters up to date with Teale's progress.
Donate to the Hammond family at: gofundme.com/f/team-teale
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Elspeth Kernebone
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
Accident brought me to journalism, but every day convinces me again that strong media is more important than ever. After a starting off as the sole reporter in a tiny NSW town, I’m loving the teeming metropolis that is Bendigo. Focussed on health, business and education. Got a tip? Email elspeth.kernebone@bendigoadvertiser.com.au.
