Archive for Austin Fontanella
Charlee: Bouncing back after neuroblastoma treatment
Call it mother’s intuition, but leading up to her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, Erica Jensen knew something wasn’t right. At just 10 months, Charlee had started walking, and since taking her first steps the excited toddler was constantly exploring the world around her. Then, at around 15 months, something changed. It wasn’t obvious at first — ... Read More about Charlee: Bouncing back after neuroblastoma treatment
Osteosarcoma patient gets chance to be a ‘normal college kid’
For almost half of his life, Michael Murray has had to grapple with cancer, including multiple relapses. One of his hardest setbacks was hearing that his cancer had returned just weeks before he was set to start his freshman year at Boston College. With the news, Michael worried that his future would be in jeopardy. ... Read More about Osteosarcoma patient gets chance to be a ‘normal college kid’
Crista forms lifelong friendship with her cancer doctor
It’s impossible not to notice the connection between Crista Cardillo and Dr. Kim Stegmaier. The way they laugh and swap stories might make you think they grew up down the street from one another. But their friendship began differently than most: as patient and oncologist at Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center. When Crista was ... Read More about Crista forms lifelong friendship with her cancer doctor
Kaitlyn begins road to recovery after foot amputation
At just 14 years old, Kaitlyn Vu was asked to accept a drastic, life-altering surgery. In early 2019, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma — a rare type of bone cancer that ultimately led to the amputation of her left foot. Kaitlyn’s ability to meet each challenge of her diagnosis with a combination of grace and perseverance has ... Read More about Kaitlyn begins road to recovery after foot amputation
Teen cancer survivor rediscovers her confidence with prosthesis
At just 18 years old, Gabbi Stewart is a two-time survivor of two very different types of cancer. While her care team acted quickly to aggressively treat her most recent cancer, Stewart was faced with what she says was her greatest challenge: building back the self-confidence that the disease had eroded. A rare diagnosis In ... Read More about Teen cancer survivor rediscovers her confidence with prosthesis
What to consider when choosing a pediatric surgeon
As a parent or caregiver, it’s only natural for you to want the best for your child. But when you receive a diagnosis that requires surgery as part of treatment, how do you know what the “best” is? Here are five things to consider when you’re selecting a pediatric surgeon. Expertise Pediatric surgeons all have ... Read More about What to consider when choosing a pediatric surgeon