When 15-year-old Dylan had a sore left knee, he headed off to the physio for treatment.
Despite ongoing treatment over the next few months, the pain got progressively worse and Dylan was sent for an X-ray.
His dad Isaac said they began to worry when a lump on Dylan’s knee got larger. The physiotherapist recommended an ultrasound and then an MRI.
When the results came in the family’s world was shattered. The MRI revealed that Dylan had a tumour in his proximal tibia (upper shinbone).
It was an agonising time as Dyan was immediately admitted to hospital for further rounds of tests.
“We were at the children’s hospital, very anxious and scared about what might lay ahead,” his dad said. “It was so hard for Dylan who’s usually such a funny, outgoing kid.”
Over the course of the next three days, Dylan had PET and CT SCANS followed by an MRI and finally a biopsy under a general anaesthetic.
Tragically, Dylan was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma –a form of bone cancer.
“The oncology and orthopaedic teams sat with us and broke the news. We were beyond devastated to hear the word cancer,” Isaac said.
From then on, their lives became consumed by hospital and treatment.
Dylan started chemotherapy straight away which his dad said, ‘absolutely destroyed him.’
He then underwent a 10-hour surgery to have bone cut away and replaced with a prosthetic.
The fear and uncertainty were overwhelming, and his parents weren’t able to work so that they could be by their son’s side throughout his treatment.
“It was a strain emotionally and financially, but we needed to do everything we could to support Dylan during his time of need,” his mum Lisa said.
The hardest part for Dylan was the pain of treatment and surgery and dealing with the unknown.
Thankfully during his toughest times, Starlight’s Livewire program was there in hospital helping to distract Dylan from everything he was going through and keep him entertained.
He spent hours with the Livewire team playing cards and just hanging out, chatting and having fun. It helped him cope with the pain and isolation of the hospital ward.
“Without Livewire, we would not have seen Dylan smile. It’s great for the kids to get their minds off what they’re going through and just live in the moment,” his dad said.
Dylan is passionate about all things aviation so when he was granted his Starlight Wish, he was keen that planes would be a key feature.
For his wish, Dylan asked for a new look bedroom to create a relaxing space where he can watch TV and chill with his friends.
His bedroom makeover is complete with a loft bed with couch, plus new cabinets where his collection of model planes can take centre stage. His new room has given Dylan a space to call his own where he can pursue his aviation hobbies for years to come.
