Meet Isaiah Lara! A sophomore at Monterey HS, Isaiah loves basketball, video games – Fortnite and like most of us… he loves spending time with his friends.
Isaiah had been complaining of soreness and pain in his left leg that didn’t seem to go away so they scheduled an appointment with his pediatrician In November 2017. The Dr. ordered physical therapy since Isaiah was very active in basketball at Monterey High School.
In December 2017 after an examination by the therapist, it was determined that Isaiah’s soreness and the pain was not a muscle issue. He was told that he needed to go back to his pediatrician.
December 12, 2017 Doctor ordered x-rays. Later that day their family was called in to have a conference with his pediatrician. At the time the x-rays were reviewed with them and they were told that there was a very suspicious mass on his left femur. Isaiah was then referred to the Southwest Cancer Center.
December 14, 2017, Dr. Bhende, pediatric oncologist, at the Southwest Cancer Center accepted Isaiah as his patient. During the initial exam and review of the X-rays, Dr. Bhende again confirmed the mass in Isaiah’s left leg did not look good. He ordered all kinds of tests, Pet Scans, MRI’s, etc., which confirmed he had Osteosarcoma and immediate treatment was needed.
December 27, 2017, Isaiah went into the hospital as an outpatient for a biopsy and port placement.
January 11, 2018, Isaiah was admitted to the hospital for his first round of chemotherapy. Hardest day ever!
April 3, 2018, just 2 days before his 15th birthday, Dr. Blingley performed surgery on Isaiah’s left leg to remove his femur and do a human bone transplant with a metal rod. The surgery took over 6 hours and recovery was extremely hard for the next 4 weeks. Physical therapy started shortly after the surgery, which he is still receiving.
Isaiah continued to receive chemo every Tuesday at the hospital. His last chemotherapy was on August 21, 2018, and his last day in the hospital was August 25, 2018.
On September 19, 2018, Isaiah rang the BELL!!! He is cancer-free now for 6 months so far.
“The memories of 2018 are still with us, but during the whole time, Isaiah was such a fighter, strongest young man I’ve ever seen. He was so patient and considerate with his nurses. They knew that when he had a smile on his face he was feeling better. “-Grandma Juanita
Isaiah also made it a point to visit the other patients that were receiving chemo, especially the ones with Osteosarcoma. He liked to encourage them since he was a little bit ahead of their treatment stage.
Isaiah’s support system includes Juanita (Grandma), Daphne (mom), Jonathan, Zachary & Jacob (brothers) and many more!
WORKOUT
14 Min AMRAP
12 Front Squats
(145/85)
(95/65)
12 Deadlifts
(145/85)
(95/65)
17 HSPU (45lb plate deficit)
Kipping
Push-ups
Significance
Isaiah was diagnosed on 12.12.17. 14 min workout – he was 14 when diagnosed. Leg intense workout – Isaiah’s cancer was in his leg.
Athletes can break up movements however they want.
