Duntocher teenager Robbie Readie marks last chemo treatment

Robbie Readie, 14, got his last treatment at the Beatson last week, beginning the end of a tumultuous chapter since he was diagnosed with rare bone cancer osteosarcoma a year ago.

As well as chemo, he underwent a complex 13-hour operation known as rotationplasty to amputate part of his right leg and turn his foot into a new knee.

The usual procedure left his ankle pointing backwards, acting as a knee joint - meaning he is able to play football again while using a prosthetic limb.

Duntocher lad Robbie said: “My new leg is brilliant.

“I have just been trying to get myself together and go back to my normal life.

“I am also preparing to get into amputee football because football is my life.

“There was a doubt that I would never play football again but this surgery will let me do that.

“I looked at a few role models that had done it, and I knew I did not want to take the chance in keeping my leg in case I lost my life.

“Even my doctor thought it was a good decision, I was over the moon when we both agreed.

“My mum and dad have been so helpful. They have even adapted the house for me.

“I am doing physio just now and I’m coming on well.”

In April, we reported how Dumbarton dad Paul Burns took on the 50-mile ultra marathon to raise £2,500 for Robbie and his family.

Robbie used to play alongside Paul’s son, Dominic, with Clydebank FC under 11s and Paul decided to take on the run from Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium and arrive more than eight hours later at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.

Robbie was on a family day out with mum Avril, 38, and dad Robert, 44, when he started having severe leg pain.

It was so bad, Robbie began shaking and his worried mum immediately called an ambulance.

Robbie was rushed to the Forth Valley Royal Hospital, near Falkirk, where an x-ray showed an abnormality on his right femur which medics later confirmed was a tumour.

He was then transferred to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for more tests which revealed he had bone cancer.

Robert said: “We are so overwhelmed by Paul’s effort and achievement. We would also like to thank everyone who donated for Robbie.

“Robbie’s treatment and rehabilitation are going well. And he has offered his help and support to other children by talking to them with regards to his surgery and new leg.

“And he would like to continue to help as many children as possible who might find themselves in the same position or a similar one as him.”

Avril said: “Robbie was a keen footballer, he was ready to sign for pro-youth.

“He went on trial for Rangers and Queen’s Park. He could just read the game very well.

“He is just a fun-loving boy who was very sporty and athletic so this came as a massive shock to us all.

“Since the procedure, I have no words to describe how proud I am of him.

“He is the sixth person in the UK to do this type of operation.

“He just amazes me. I don’t think many adults would cope.

“He has been able to walk without his crutches and he has been out in the garden with his dad to have a wee kick about.”

Doctors gave Robbie three options in his treatment. The first was to save his leg, but medics could not guarantee they could fully remove the cancer, the second was to amputate the leg, and the third was rotationplasty.

And it was Robbie who made the decision for the surgery, which was performed last October.

Avril, also mum to Tia, 10, and Orla, seven, said: “Robbie woke up one day and he said to his dad he would go for the amputation and new knee.

“He said ‘I’m making the decision so that you and mum don’t have to.’

“Robbie also said if people were to laugh then he would say ‘the way I see it, it’s my leg or my life’.

“It allows him flexibility and he will be able to play football.”