Layne Rodgers is a longtime Astros fan. When he went to the World Series to see his favorite team, he had no way of predicting what would happen next.
Just six weeks before, the Caney Creek School junior was living a normal life and playing first base on the field, when his knee began to grow sore. When he went to the doctor, the diagnosis came in: osteosarcoma.
This rare form of cancer develops in the bones in areas where bone grows quickly during growth spurts with teens. It’s rare, but it’s also the most common type of bone cancer, more prominent in boys than girls. To learn more, click here.
When Layne went in for a routine chemotherapy treatment, he had no idea they would end up amputating his leg. It happened in between World Series games five and six.
Layne wonders why God chose him for such an unfortunate situation, but he believes that God gives the hardest battles to the toughest of kids.
Layne couldn’t have asked for a better gift than watching his favorite team win the World Series. He watched every single game with his parents, LeeAnn Perry and Billy Rodgers
“The one good distraction that we’ve had, that he’s had, is the Astros,” said Billy Rodgers in an interview with KARE11. “It’s given us something to look forward to.”
It wasn’t all bad news. One of Layne’s friends had been communicating on Instagram with his all time favorite baseball player, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, asking if he would visit Layne in the hospital.
The friend took a screenshot of his conversation, where Altuve replied with “Ok, let’s make it happen.” This news made Layne melt.
Within the following days, Layne had to undergo more chemo treatments, as the doctors pinpoint the cancer in his lungs. The Astros win has been a saving grace for Layne’s spirits, and have set an example for the aspiring ball player.
