15-year-old who lost leg wants to raise awareness for childhood cancer

What the Melomos experienced would be tough for any family, but it was made so much worse by the growing COVID-19 pandemic.

On Oct. 3, the family brought together family and friends to mark Nicholas’ success. Instead of a party or gathering, they celebrated at a safe distance by setting up lawn chairs on their driveway and watching a parade of decorated cars pass by with well wishers hanging out the windows cheering, blowing noise makers and honking.

The declaration was followed by a bit of applause from his parents and the nurse who was preparing his last IV line.

It was in early February when Nicholas and his dad, Vincent Melomo, were checked out by a doctor after a crash totaled their car. There were no broken bones, but the doctor was concerned about a bump on Nicholas’ right shin.

Imaging revealed bone cancer. While the car crash helped catch the cancer at an early stage, Nicholas had to lose his right leg.

His mom, Lee Melomo, remembers the moment she heard the news.

"It probably did not really sink in at first," she said. "It takes your breath away. It’s kind of trite to say, but it’s the worst news that parents want to hear."

She and her husband discovered a new level of courage in their son.

"Nicholas really helped us all through this, the way in which he handled it and processed it," said Vincent Melomo.

They knew that they would be spending a lot of time over several months with Nicholas at Duke. At the same time, COVID-19 precautions led to a greater feeling of isolation.

At first, only one parent could be with Nicholas during treatment. Later, the hospital allowed both parents. Other times, Nicholas sat alone in treatment with time to think about teens like himself, or even younger, fighting cancer.

September was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, but as October arrived, Nicholas wanted to do his own part to raise awareness.

In one YouTube post, Nicholas said, "I do believe, in my own opinion, that every month should be childhood cancer awareness month."

The family’s drive-by parade event was planned to spread awareness of childhood cancer among Nicholas’ classmates, friends and neighbors. The event was a show of support for the cause and for him personally.

"It was very overwhelming," said Nicholas.

Nicholas remembers, after the diagnosis, it was not a difficult decision for him to go through with amputation of his right leg. The optimistic teenager quickly adjusted to the idea of living with his new prosthetic leg.