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Our Kids - Meet Alexandra

Alexandra

Alexandra, 12, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH)

Alexandra’s experience at SickKids began as an infant when the Plastic Surgery team at the Hospital performed surgery to provide her with more mobility in one of her hands. Little did Alexandra know, twelve years later, she would rely on the expertise and care of SickKids doctors once again.

In the fall of 2006, Alexandra began experiencing such extreme pain in her left leg that she could not walk without the assistance of crutches. Steps away from her local hospital on her way to an MRI, her leg suddenly collapsed.

Doctors found the source and immediately referred her to SickKids, suspicious of cancer. Test results confirmed their suspicions. Specialists at SickKids diagnosed Alexandra with malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), a cancerous tumour that can originate in either bone or soft tissues and connects, supports or surrounds organs and other body structures.

She began chemotherapy immediately. Alexandra underwent an 18-hour surgery in April 2007 to remove the tumour, part of her femur and some of the surrounding muscle tissue that the cancer had affected. Surgeons replaced her bone with a graft and metal plate. She spent five months at SickKids and then continued her treatment at home. She returned to the Hospital for chemotherapy every two weeks until November 2007.

Alexandra is now transitioning into the adult health care system. She will continue to be monitored by both orthopaedic and oncology specialists.

The care and treatment she received at SickKids has influenced Alexandra’s volunteer and career interests. She is studying science and she aspires to become a researcher and/or physician or to work in the pharmaceutical industry. She has spent summers working in several labs within the Developmental & Stem Cell Biology research program at SickKids.

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