In November 2016, at the age of 16, Armandt Venter was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma Stage 2 “B” Bone Cancer in his left leg above the knee and thigh.

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Armandt started complaining of a sore knee to his parents. They thought it was a rugby injury and would past. It did not, and Armandt was taken to the doctor where x-rays was taken of his leg. That is where it all started. Armandt was admitted to George MediClinic where they did scans and blood tests. He went for a biopsy, and doctors gave them the devastating news – CANCER!

His passion, playing rugby as a teenage boy is destroyed, no more physical contact sports.

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Armandt had 3 sessions of chemo. It was three day sessions and three weeks apart. At first for this teen boy it was fine and acceptable, but every timehe got sick - it was heartbraking for his parents to see him go through all this. Despite the fact that he had complications with low white blood cells count before each chemo, they all stood in faith and before God’s feet.

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After the third chemo session at Cancer Care Centre Rondebosch, Cape Town, Armandt had his limb- sparing surgery done by Dr K Hosking. Dr K Hosking is an Orthopaedic Surgeon that specialises in bone tumours. He has established a centre of excellence in bone cancer care in South Africa at the Cape Orthopaedic Reconstructive Unit. The Cape Town Based unit has a dedicated multidisciplinary team of sarcoma specialist which include orthopaedic cancer surgeons, plastic surgeons, specialist anaesthetists, oncologist, radiologist and pathologist.

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The above-mentioned surgery was done at Life Vincent Pallotti Orthopaedic Hospital in Pinelands, Cape Town. In January 2017 Armandt received his 1st prosthetic implant and the cancerous bone, tissue, muscle and part of his arteryat the back of his leg was removed. There after he received his 4th Chemo session.  He will never be able to play contact sports again.

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In February the wound started bleeding, which made his mother took him back to Life Vincent Pallotti Orthopaedics Hospital. Unexpectedly he was admitted again for two weeks. This meant further expenses like accommodation, food, and above all transport(it is a 400km trip one way) as they are staying in Mossel Bay and the necessary resources Armandt needs is situated in Cape Town. This leads to tremendous stress and anxiety to his parent’sand through it all they stayed on their knees and God provided.

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After he was discharged he continued with his chemo sessions.

In May 2017, Armandt developed a life threatening deep tissue infection and was admitted in Life Vincent Pallotti Orthopaedics Hospital for 4 weeks. His parents again stayed in Cape Town for the duration he was in the hospital, to support Armandt. The first prosthesis was replaced with a “spacer” that secreted medication for about 5 weeks. This was a very traumatic experience for Armandt.

 

A new second prosthesis was implanted at the end of June 2017. Armandt contracted the MRSE infection. They immediately started with antibiotics to fight the infection. Unfortunately it came to their attention that Armandt’s body had gotten immune to regular antibiotics. This meant that antibiotics in the amount of R 61 400.00 wasneeded, and taken twice a day for 35 days after Armandt was discharged. Together with this on various occasions, Armandt had lost a lot of blood and needed blood transfusions.

The scans that followed showed no cancer and the blood tests were up to standard. Armandt was ready to start with physiotherapy. Up until this point the expenses for this household was approximately R 1.9 Million.

 

In November 2017 it was time for his routine tests at Cancer Care Centre Rondebosch. The Oncologist, Dr Hart, informed that the Cancer unfortunately has spread to his lungs, this broke Armandt and his parents to the ground.

On the 7th of December 2017 Armandt had his 1st lung surgery, by Prof de Groot, 3 tumours was removed and a third of his lung. Second surgery on the 18th of January 2018 on the other lung 2 tumours was removed.

 

With Armandt’s follow-up on the 20th April 2018, the doctors discovered 2 tumours on the right lung again. There is a great possibility of another lung surgery for the tumours to be removed.

He also needs a hip replacement; the current prosthesis is busy tearing from the hip bone due to the hipbone that is breaking down.

 

There is a possibility for radiation treatment; Chemo is no longer an option. The oncologist did confirm again that the cancer Armandt is dealing with is very aggressive.

 

On the 3rd of May 2018, Armandt will be having his 3rd lung surgery to remove 2 tumours again from his right lung and after a few weeks his hip-replacement followed, the doctor is pleased with the hip-replacement.

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27th August 2018, Armandt's doctors discovered again 2 tumors on his right lung. One of approximately 5 cm and close to the heart. A surgery will follow in two days time.

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Already, this household is in financial debt of medical expenses. Armandt’s Mother and Father did everything in their power, up until this point, but their financial resources are exhausted. Armandt does not have medical aid, but they have a Liberty medical insurance policy that has paid numerous expenses, which helped in this regard.

 

Please find it in your hearts to help this young man to continue with his much needed medical treatment which includes: chemo sessions, surgeries and all further needs.