Pan-Mass Challenge 'Pedal Partners' Bond After Cancer Battle
LAKEVILLE (CBS) -- Seven-year-old Carter Mock faced a daunting diagnosis last September: a tumor in his left leg would force doctors to amputate.
In a unique approach to treat the bone cancer, Carter's doctors proposed something called rotationplasty. After the amputation, a surgeon would reattach the lower part of his leg, backwards, to his thigh.
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His ankle would then act as his new knee joint for the prosthetic.
"Out of all the worries that parents usually have, you never think childhood cancer is going to be one of them," said mother Danielle Mock. "It was a very scary feeling."
But Carter took the news in stride, mainly because he already had met someone he could aspire to mirror.
"Meeting Jack really showed Carter what's possible," said his dad, John Mock.
Ten years ago, Jack Manning went through the exact same cancer diagnosis and procedure. Manning went on to play high school sports and formed a bond with Carter prior to his surgery.
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"There is something my husband and I can't give Carter," Danielle said. "We don't know what it feels like. It was incredible for my son to meet him and see how wonderful he's doing ten years later."
On Saturday, Carter anxiously awaited for his older buddy to arrive in Lakeville, where the PMC Pedal Partners shared a special moment.
"I think it's a big deal for both of us," Manning told WBZ. "It's cool for him to see and it's cool for me to show him everything I can do. We really enjoy being together."
For Carter, it is visual proof of what's possible.
"We're very fortunate," Danielle said. "Having the PMC and raising money for important causes like cancer. We just feel very lucky."
This fall, Manning heads to Boston College.
Carter finished his chemotherapy earlier this summer. His mother said he plans to be back on skis and skates by January.
Ryan Kath can be reached at rkath@cbs.com. You can follow him on Twitter or connect on Facebook.
