Nic Cahoon fell at work and thought he had pulled a hamstring… a trip to the doctor revealed it was much more sinister
A young man who fell at work and thought he had a hamstring injury was stunned to learn his pain was caused by a rare form of cancer.
Nic Cahoon, 25, from Maryborough, Victoria, was working at his printing business in June 2023 when he fell and injured his thigh.
He initially denied the injury, but when his leg was still painful two weeks later, he became concerned and made an appointment with the doctor. Yeah reported.
Mr. Cahoon underwent numerous blood tests and scans, and doctors soon suspected he had bone cancer.
After a bone biopsy was performed on the printer’s hip, Mr. Cahoon’s results were shocking: he had stage one chondrosarcoma.
A few months later, the 25-year-old underwent an eight-hour operation to remove the cancer, and soon after, he had to learn to walk again.
The man first used a wheelchair and then crutches before fully recovering and being able to walk independently again.
Mr. Cahoon “felt fortunate” that the cancer was discovered early, giving him the best chance of a full recovery because the tumors had not spread and had all been surgically removed.
Nic Cahoon, 25, (pictured right) fell during a work shift and sought medical attention when his thigh still hurt two weeks later in June 2023
The young printer (pictured) was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, had to undergo an eight-hour operation and then had to learn to walk again
The relieved printer was looking forward to returning to work in May, almost 12 months after his first fall.
But tragically, during a routine checkup just a month later, in June, Cahoon’s doctors recommended further testing.
He and his wife Jayde received the heartbreaking news that three more pieces of tumor had been found, but this time they were deeper in his pelvis.
The bone cancer Mr. Cahoon had was now considered an even rarer one: soft-tissue chondrosarcoma, which is resistant to treatment.
But there is a silver lining: the 25-year-old is eligible for a 10-week trial of radiation and chemotherapy in Sydney, with some of it possibly being held in Melbourne, depending on how he responds to the treatment.
Family member Michaela said Mr Cahoon is “nervous” but is “looking forward” to treatment.
“He hopes this experimental treatment will be effective,” she said.
“He is so grateful for all the support he received from his family and friends during his initial diagnosis and treatment, and for the support they continue to give him throughout the fight.”
Michaela said that this is an experimental study and that a start time has not yet been set, but that it should be “within about a month.”
After a routine check-up a year later, doctors told Mr. Cahoon (pictured right) that more tumors were present and that his cancer was even rarer than previously thought.
The relative said Mr Cahoon and his wife are a “hardworking couple” and that everyone was “impressed” with his strength.
“Nic is the first to make a joke and he’s so generous that he’ll give you his last shirt if you need it,” she said.
“We are so impressed by his spirit and determination to fight for his health. His journey to learn to walk again shows real strength.”
Michaela said that while Cahoon’s cancer is normally resistant to chemotherapy and radiation, there is hope that the new research will be effective.
Survival rates for chondrosarcoma can vary and depend on factors such as tumor behavior, patient age, and the stage at which the disease is diagnosed.
a GoFundMe was established to help pay for the couple’s travel and ongoing expenses.