Chance Tobin Rodgers, our grandson, flew to heaven during the night. After fighting osteosarcoma cancer for 4 years, his pain and suffering is now over. During his fight, Chance endured many surgeries. First, the cancerous tumor was removed from his leg and he was given a donor bone. When the donor bone failed, he received a rotation plasty... a procedure in which the lower leg is removed and the bone is used for his upper leg. It is rotated so that his foot is turned backwards allowing his heel to become a new knee. His foot then inserts into the prosthesis.

We thought the cancer was gone, but later it returned in his lungs and those tumors were then surgically removed. Earlier this year, the cancer was back in his lungs and also as a tumor on his upper spine. He soon became paralyzed from his waist down and eventually lost the use of both arms.

The pain in the last few months has been terrible, but still Chance maintained a great attitude and rarely complained. He always had a smile and for me... an "I love you grandma."

Chance's dream was to become an army ranger. A couple of months ago, he got to visit Ft. Lewis, Washington, where he was honored by the army rangers. The highlight of his visit was to become an honorary member of the rangers. He also loved firing an automatic weapon and riding in a Stryker.

Life will never be the same without our Chance, but he will forever live in our hearts. We are so proud of him and his faith and courage have touched people's hearts all over the world. He will never be forgotten.

Annie Rodgers