By Yusuf Moolla
Josh Geldenhuys, of Hillcrest, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in January this year.
However, the Geldenhuys household and his fellow pupils at Thomas More College have kept the 12-year-old's spirits up with lots of love and support.
Josh was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or soft tissue.
Three in one million The pelvic bone, hip bone, arm bone and ribs are the most common places where the cancer cells are found.
Josh takes a positive view of his illness, saying that he is special because the disease affects only three people in every one million.
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Chemotherapy treatment made Josh's hair fall out, but his close friends showed their support for him by shaving their heads.
His mother, Ericka Geldenhuys, said a party was also thrown for her son and the sad occasion turned into a celebration of friendship and love for Josh.
"What was phenomenal was that at the age of 12 Josh knew and understood his illness and looked for ways to keep positive," she said.
Josh said he enjoyed being around friends and family because he felt warmth and love, "and the support given to me is amazing".
Geldenhuys said it was traumatising for the family when her son was initially diagnosed.
"When he was first diagnosed, the doctors could not tell us whether our son would survive or not, but the worst part was when we were told that there was a possibility of the tumour being in contact with the spine, heart and lung which could result in permanent damage or even worse during the operation," she said.
Josh's tumour was fortunately located on his ribs, which improved his chances of recovery.
He was operated on at Westville Hospital in a procedure during which fluids from his lungs were first drained, followed by the removal of one of his ribs and a large tumour.
Geldenhuys said the removal of the rib made Josh's lung vulnerable, and a protective mesh sheet was therefore inserted.
With interests in karate, golf, canoeing and horse riding, Josh is determined to resume normal activity in the near future.
yusuf.moolla@inl.co.za
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This article was originally published on page 4 of The Mercury on March 17, 2008
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