Luis Martin celebrates Christmas and New Year’s with family and reflects on cancer treatment at St. Jude.

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I write my story between pauses and tears that I can’t hold back. It has been a long road, but it has all been worth it. My name is Luis Martin. I am 18 years old, and I am the middle child of three brothers. I was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and arrived with my mom in August 2023, a month after being diagnosed in my home country of Nicaragua with osteosarcoma  —  a type of bone cancer that was detected in my left knee. It had also metastasized to my lungs. We never imagined that the pain in my knee would become a devastating diagnosis.

It was 2 a.m. when we walked through the doors of St. Jude. My mom and I hugged each other with tears because of the uncertainty of what we would face. I started my treatment on Sept. 1, 2023 as part of a clinical trial. I received chemotherapy, surgeries and a newer treatment that has helped some patients with solid tumors. On May 23, 2024, at 12:30 p.m., I finished my last IV chemotherapy. 

It was the triumph of a great battle. There were months of ups and downs, but with the help of my mother and all the medical staff, I managed to overcome them. Days later, on May 29, the doctors gave us the news: "There is no evidence of disease." The best Mother's Day gift for my mom, since in my country we celebrate that day on May 30th. I couldn't believe it! The most difficult stage of my life was over. One that I didn't feel capable of reaching on those days in the hospital when my body was sore and exhausted. It was finally over! 

Between tears of joy and applause, we hugged each other, and everyone congratulated me. After finishing chemotherapy, I continued to take the newer treatment for around six months until my treatment was finished. 

I returned to my country at the end of 2024. This year I will celebrate my second Christmas and New Year in Nicaragua after finishing my treatment. It is beautiful to feel the warmth of my home again and it gives me great satisfaction that we are all together as a family again, especially during the holidays.

I am so grateful to God, to my talented medical team and to all the donors who support St. Jude.  Thanks to their generous help, they make it possible for St. Jude to continue its mission of finding new cures to save the lives of many children with cancer, just like me. It is wonderful to think of the collective effort they make to bring the gift of healing to so many children. This inspires me to keep fighting and to believe that angels exist.

St. Jude and its donors are the light and hope God has given me. Thank you infinitely for saving my life.