Hunter Sanchez Oct 31, 2008 Capital News 9 Interview
At the age of 8, Hunter complained of leg pain which doctors diagnosed as Bi-Lateral Legg-Calve Perthes Disease- (a rare disease that causes bone death in the ball of both hips due to a lack of blood flow). He went from being a very active child to confinement in a wheelchair.
Hunter had surgery in January 2007 and spent 5 months recovering @ Sinai Hosp in Baltimore, Maryland. He was finally able to come home in May to face a year long extensive Physical Therapy regiment.
On July 6, 2007, Hunter received the Albany County Correctional Facility for Children's Benefit's "Courage Award" at our 3rd annual "TEED OFF FOR TOT'S" Golf Classic Event. The award highlighted the tremendous courage Hunter displayed during his long ordeal and was well DESERVED!
The following is an UPDATE from Hunter's mom Noelle (2010):
Hi John (Smith),
The last year has been rough for Hunter with his pain getting worse and worse.
In May 2010 Hunter is scheduled for his 1st of 4 surgeries to take place approx.
over the next three years.
Hunter's femoral head on the right is wide and flat and has outgrown the
acetabulum. His acetabulum has taken on a flat shape also. Not good.
They are going to cut down and resurface the femoral head.
He has no femoral neck on the right and very little on the left.
They are going to move the greater trochanter down and make a femoral neck for
him. 2 screws to reattach the greater trochanter (which come out later) and One
support screw up the new neck they make him, which is permanent .
It's an 8 hour surgery. Much longer than fixators but easier recovery (we pray).
2-3 weeks (HOPEFULLY) in Baltimore and 3 months recovery at home with Full time
Physical therapy. He will have a brace and crutches.
Without Hunter's 1st fixator surgery in 2007, this one would not be possible.
Hunter was able to play 2 years of baseball and pitched last year.
We were blessed with the Nassau Baseball Assoc. and His coach Brett Doty who
worked with Hunter's Limitations to give him the best playing experience he
could have.
Hunter is OK with all of it. He just wants the pain to go away.
Sorry I couldn't update you with great news but I am certain one day I will
send you an email that says he is all done, mostly pain free and walking well.
>Noelle Sanchez
Comments