Blaire was a “normal” child without any medical issues for the first ten years of her life. She was active and excelled at all sports. She performed well in school and was social with many friends.
When she was ten years old she began to complain of pain in her leg. Then, her parents noticed that she began to limp when she ran. The doctor’s first theory was growing pains, then overuse. Blaire took time off sports, but the pain increased. Finally, after several months, an mri revealed that Blaire had a chondroblastoma, a benign bone tumor, in her tibia. Blaire’s first surgery was on her eleventh birthday.
This tumor originated in her growth plate. Despite the doctors’ best efforts, the growth plate did not remain healthy. As Blaire continued to grow, her leg deformed and her growth was arrested in the posterior of her leg. Blaire had significant and worsening pain due to the change in her tibial slope, the distortions to her tibia, and a leg length discrepancy.
For three years, Blaire had been sidelined from sports that she loved, her social life, and even school. She was in agony and in despair. Her orthopedic oncologist stated that “her tumor was benign, but the location was malignant”. Blaire’s tumor was completely debilitating. Something had to be done and through a doctor’s referral she found Dr. Feldman at the Paley Institute.
Dr. Feldman believed that he could “fix” Blaire’s tibia and get her back to normal before she started high school. To do this, he would need to apply an external fixator to her leg for several months to lengthen her tibia and correct her deformities. Along with developing a plan, Dr. Feldman restored her hope.
One month after meeting Dr. Feldman, Blaire and her mother had relocated to West Palm Beach in preparation for her first surgery and the installation of her fixator. There were a few surprises along the way, but within six months her fixator was removed and she was able to begin the path to recovery and her new normal.
Blaire was desperate to put all of her leg trauma behind her before the start of high school. Almost exactly one year from having her fixator installed, Blaire was on the golf course trying out for her high school golf team.
She is back in school full time (carrying her own backpack), has a busy social calendar, and you can find her walking the golf course with the golf team. She made it!
Dr. Feldman is nothing short of a miracle worker. He gave Blaire her life back. The chronic pain is gone and she has regained her mobility. Where other doctors were left stumped, Dr. Feldman created a treatment plan for Blaire that got her back to the things she loved.
The care team and support network through the Paley Institute and Quantum House improved the entire process. Lifelong friendships were made. The community support is unbelievably helpful throughout the journey. People often end up at Paley when they are out of options. Meeting families who understand the medical struggles and how to navigate them is a blessing. You may never feel more love, empathy, and support than you do while surrounded by the Paley and Quantum House communities.
