Rhett Hendricks  

 

       My name is Jeffrey B. Ott and 10 years ago I was diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called Osteogenic Sarcoma and I had my right leg amputated above the knee. This is a tumor that growns primarily at the knees and elbows and is almost always found in adolescents. Please read this, as this is a fascinating story.

 

       I was 16 years old at the time and working as a dock hand at the Wild Dunes Marina. I loved the job. The smell of the ocean and the marsh the salt air and the general environment. From time to time I noticed a boy that appeared to be of similar age who walked with a limp, I was soon to learn that he was wearing a prosthetic ( this is a mechanical aparatus designed to take the place of a real arm or leg ). I worked this job after school year round, but it was not until the summer of 1996 that I became aquainted. His name Rhett Hendricks. He lived in Aiken, S.C. but his family had a vacation home close to the marina and would stay there during the summer time.

Rhett was your typical beach boy. Sandy blond hair he was tan and despite the loss of his leg he wore shorts. I developed a bond with Rhett that was unbreakable, though I never asked how or why he had lossed his leg. Rhett had a great outlook on life never letting anything get him down or in his way, he was determined and steadfast. Before I knew it summer was over and the next year was quickly approaching.

     I had developed a pain in my right leg, right at the knee joint. Months went by and it worsened, my doctor said it was probably a growing pain. Several weeks later, April 15th 1997 to be exact my doctor sent me for an x-ray. I received a phone call that day from my doctor who wanted me to see an orthopaedic asap. I met with the orthopaedic and was informed that I had an osteogenic sarcoma tumor on my right distal tibia. I had to have one year of intense chemotherapy and possibly an amputation. The doctor told me that there was a boy my age who had been diagnosed with the same exact cancer two years prior, I already knew his name before the doctor said it, Rhett Hendricks.

    I called him in Aiken, S.C. and he could not believe what I was telling him, this cancer is very very rare. He helped me through it, gave me advice and cheered me up. As I was ending my treatment Rhett had found out that his had come back. He was allergic to one of the chemo drugs. The reoccurance hit him hard. His parents sent him to every hospital and doctor all over the world that might cure him.

   I am very sad to say that my great friend Rhett Hendricks passed away in 1999. Ten years later just writing this makes me emotional. I know that he is one of the biggest reasons I got through. With the good Lords will I have been in remission for 7 years now.

   For a long time I have had this passion to start a NPO in memory of Rhett Hendricks. So that his spirit and willpower lives on forever. So begining this season I will donate to the MUSC Pediatric Oncology unit here in Charleston, S.C. This is my way of giving back to those who need help now and to honor Rhett.

   I know he is in heaven looking down on me. I have been blessed with a beautiful wife and our first born son due January 30th 2007.

  Please know that the above is not in sympathy because I have never wanted anyone to feel sorry for me, Rhett was the same way. I share this with you because in some small way just the story might help someone one day. And if it does it was well worth it.

  Thank you kindly for taking the time to read this I hope in some way that this story proofs my philosophy  Attitude=willpower=99.9% of every problem.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jeffrey B. Ott