Much of the U.S. and the U.K. have been following the cancer journey of Alex Goodwin who traveled to the states in 2016, for treatment of Ewing Sarcoma cancer in his leg. After surgery to remove his cancerous femur and weeks of chemotherapy followed by radiation, Alex “rang the bell” this week signaling his final radiation treatment at The University of Kansas Cancer Center in Overland Park. Next comes one more surgery in early July, to replace a prosthetic femur with a “grower bone” that will, through technology, literally grow as Alex grows.
“He’s just my little boy and I want him to be well,” Maria Goodwin said when asked about Alex’s final radiation treatment. Maria was especially grateful that Alex’s projected 31 radiation treatments were reduced to 5 through stereotactic radiation which targets tumors with higher doses of radiation from multiple angles.
The University of Kansas Cancer Center is the first to bring stereotactic radiation to the greater metropolitan area. “Improved technology and expertise allows radiation specialists to truly pin-point tumors like Alex’s with stronger radiation,” Steve Howard, radiation physicist said. “It significantly reduces the number of radiation treatments patients need which greatly improves their quality of life, can reduce or minimize their side-effects and costs less.”
Alex maintains that he has been full of energy and kept his appetite during his radiation treatment and his mother agrees.
In the video, Alex’s radiation oncologist, Dr. Vickie Massey together with radiation physicist Steve Howard talk more about Alex’s cutting-edge radiation treatments. Alex and his mother share their joy over Alex’s treatment so far as well as plans for their return home to the UK in August. After Alex returns to the UK, he will need to return to Kansas City every three months for ten years to have the grower bone adjusted and watch to make sure his cancer does not return. Projected expenses have led the Goodwins to share their story in a book and documentary to raise money for Alex’s continued to treatments. Click here for details.