Shaun’s journey with Nemours Children’s Health began when his family noticed an unusual bump on his leg while he was sitting on the couch, playing a video game. They took him to see his pediatrician where he was referred to Nemours Children’s. There, he was diagnosed with an osteochondroma on his left femur. An osteochondroma is a common, non-cancerous bone tumor that can develop in the growing bones of children.
Despite the diagnosis, Shaun continued to lead an active life playing baseball, a sport he was passionate about. “When we first discovered the osteochondroma, it didn’t hurt him at all,” his mother, Renee recalls. “But as he continued to grow, so did the lump. Eventually, it became so large that it would rub against his thigh muscle whenever he ran, causing him significant pain and forcing him to stop.” This change in his condition was a clear sign that they needed to take the next step in his care. Dr. John Lovejoy and Joseph Manning, PA-C were the perfect team to address Shaun’s growing concerns.
From the moment they stepped into Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, the family was met with a level of care and attention that exceeded their expectations. Dr. Lovejoy, the surgeon who would perform the removal of Shaun’s left distal medial femoral osteochondroma, played an integral role in his care. “We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” Renee shares. “Each person we encountered, from the office visits to the actual surgery to the follow-up visits, treated our son like he was their only patient.”
The care team at Nemours went above and beyond to ensure that Shaun and his family received exceptional care. “Considering the cases the medical staff must see from day to day, our son’s diagnosis and treatment was probably a very routine thing for them,” says Renee. “But as parents and the patient, they ensured that we were informed, comfortable and well taken care of. They put all of our minds at ease.”
Shaun’s surgery was a success, and the family is very satisfied with the outcome. The meticulous planning and execution by Dr. Lovejoy and his team meant that Shaun could recover quickly and return to the activities he loves. “Our son has returned full steam ahead back into the activity he loves the most – baseball!” Renee shares.
Regular follow-up appointments remain a crucial part of his journey, where X-rays will be taken to ensure that his femur has healed completely and to monitor for any recurrence of the osteochondroma. Shaun is thrilled to have made a full return to the baseball field.
To other families who have received an osteochondroma diagnosis, Renee offers this advice, “If the osteochondroma is not hurting your child in any way leave it alone. If it begins to limit or impair their normal daily activities, it’s time to take a visit to Nemours. They have an amazing orthopedic team. You are in GREAT hands!” As they move forward, Shauna and his family are grateful for the expert support they received at Nemours Children’s.
