Kaylan first sought physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment to ease his worsening back pain. X-rays showed nothing unusual. When a small lump appeared on his back, it was initially thought to be muscle related. Further physio treatment, however, only intensified the pain. 

Soon, Kaylan found himself visiting the school office for pain medication daily, just to get through the day. “That’s when we started thinking something more was going on,” Kaylan recalls. 
 
An ultrasound finally revealed the lump more clearly. When blood tests offered no definitive answers, further diagnostic imaging scans told a different story. MRI and CT scans revealed a large mass measuring 11 by 7 centimetres, wrapped around the joint connecting the spine to the pelvis (the sacroiliac joint). A biopsy followed and, after an anxious wait, Kaylan and his parents, Melissa and Jason, were called to Life Hilton Private Hospital’s oncology unit. 

A life-changing diagnosis 

There, the diagnosis was confirmed: stage 3 Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare and aggressive cancer most commonly affecting adolescents. “It all happened so quickly,” Kaylan says. “I don’t think I was fully able to process it at the time.”  

The oncologist carefully outlined the road ahead: months of intensive chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy and surgery. Having the treatment plan clearly explained, alongside the support of specialists, nurses and radiotherapists, helped the family begin to understand what lay ahead and find the courage to step into the journey together. 

Finding strength in faith and community 

Amid the shock, Kaylan and his family found grounding in their faith and in the support of those around them. “We involved our church, our community – everyone we knew. We trusted that the doctors knew what they were doing.” That balance – trust in medical expertise alongside faith and prayer – became the foundation that helped Kaylan navigate the months of treatment ahead.

The physical toll of chemotherapy 

Chemotherapy began soon after, using two different regimens. From the outset, Kaylan knew that the treatment would be demanding. After his very first round, he returned to Life Hilton Private Hospital’s emergency unit the following day, severely nauseous and dehydrated. “I couldn’t keep anything down,” he remembers.  
 
Despite the physical toll, moments of care and compassion stood out. Nurses treated Kaylan as a person, not just a diagnosis, offering reassurance, encouragement and kindness in moments when he felt at his weakest. Small acts of kindness that left a lasting impression.

Care that goes beyond treatment 

As treatment continued, the oncology nurses became familiar, comforting faces. Their warmth, humour and genuine concern transformed the clinical setting into a place of comfort and hope, lifting Kaylan on days when the treatment depleted him. “When a nurse is energetic and full of life, it makes such a positive difference to the patient,” Kaylan says.  

Beyond the hospital walls, support poured in. Kaylan’s school adjusted his academic year to reduce pressure. Teachers and classmates sent messages of encouragement, and friends travelled to visit whenever they could. In their farming community in the Drakensberg region of KwaZulu-Natal, strangers stopped the family in shops to offer prayers, meals and help. “It was overwhelming at times,” Kaylan admits, “but it showed how much people cared.”

Setbacks, scans and signs of hope 

Three and a half months into treatment, Kaylan developed neutropenia – a significant drop in white blood cells – and was placed in isolation to reduce the risk of infection. Though a known side‑effect of chemotherapy, it was a frightening setback. He received a platelet transfusion at Life Hilton Private Hospital to support his recovery. A PET scan followed to assess how well the cancer was responding to treatment. The results brought immense relief: a complete response to chemotherapy, with no visible signs of cancer. 

“It felt like the miracle we had prayed for,” the family recalls. Despite the good news, specialists advised completing the full treatment protocol. Kaylan underwent 30 radiation sessions at the radiotherapy unit at Life Hilton Private Hospital. 

“Having radiotherapy was scary at first, but the radiotherapy team made me feel safe from day one,” he says. “They explained how the radiotherapy machine worked so I knew exactly what was happening.” True relationships were built between Kaylan and the staff, building trust and reassurance of a hopeful future. “Their kindness made a difference. I felt they really cared about me.” The strength of these relationships was far reaching and, a year later, Kaylan still visits the staff individually to say hello. “I really appreciated their support. It played a big part in my journey,” says Kaylan. Once radiotherapy was completed, Kaylan was referred to an orthopaedic and tumour surgeon at Life Vincent Pallotti Hospital in Cape Town.

A major operation and a long recovery

On 14 February 2025, Kaylan underwent a 12-hour operation to remove the affected bone and surrounding tissue. Post-operative tests confirmed there were no remaining cancer cells. 

Recovery, however, was complex. Despite severe nerve pain, a spinal fluid leak and extended hospital stays, Kaylan’s recovery became a time of unexpected strength and connection.   

Nurses recognised him in the corridors, checked in when he moved between wards, and celebrated every small milestone with him. “You don’t expect that from a hospital,” Kaylan says. “They made a place you don’t want to be feel more human, and more hopeful.” 

Rebuilding life and finding purpose 

Nearly a year after his surgery, Kaylan’s recovery continues. While he still experiences nerve pain, he is learning to walk short distances without crutches and attends regular scans and follow-up appointments as his strength steadily improves.  
 
During his recovery, Kaylan found renewed purpose through FREDDIES, a local volunteer emergency response team. As a supervised junior volunteer, Kaylan assists where he can – an experience that has lifted his morale during some of his darkest days. “They became my friends,” he says. “They showed me that I belong.” 

A story of courage 

Reflecting on the past year, Kaylan doesn’t describe his journey as finished, but he does describe it as meaningful. “Healing takes time,” he says. “This journey showed me who really cares, and how people can come together.” 

Through faith, community support, and the steady presence of the skilled and compassionate care of Life Healthcare hospital staff, together with access to advanced diagnostic technology such at MRI, CT and PET scans, Kaylan’s story is one of courage, and a powerful reminder that even in the face of cancer, no one has to walk the journey alone. 

For more information about our oncology services and cancer education resources, visit the Life Oncology web page. To learn more about advanced diagnostic scans, such as PET-CT, visit the Life Diagnostics web page.