In 2022, at just 17 years old, Landon Potter’s life changed drastically when doctors diagnosed him with osteosarcoma – a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.
After intense surgery and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, Potter is now cancer-free, and he praises the physical therapy he received after those treatments at Carle Health as a major factor in his ability to recovery.
Potter – a native of Bismarck, Illinois – was never a fan of sitting still.
His typical day consisted of tending to the fields on his farm, riding four-wheelers, fishing, working on trucks, and, on the weekends, tractor pulling with his family.
He is also a big ice hockey fan, having skated and played goalie since he was five years old.
“One night after a hockey game, I felt some pain in my knee. It stuck around after a few games, so eventually I went to the doctor and did some x-rays,” Potter said.
Potter’s pediatrician, Neena Tripathy, MD, located a years-long cartilage buildup in his knee and referred him to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Peoria. There an orthopedic surgeon determined a limb-salvaging procedure was necessary.
It was during that surgery that his cancer was discovered. The following month, he began chemotherapy and continued physical therapy to rehabilitate his leg.
“I was told it would take a full year to gain my nerve endings back and even longer than that to fully recover,” Potter said. “I’ll always remember my grandfather telling me, ‘You will get back what you put in,’ and that stuck with me.”
In an effort to stay close to home, Potter chose to complete his chemotherapy at St. Jude in Peoria and his physical therapy at Carle Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Champaign.
He immediately began working with Meghan Martindale, PT, DPT, SCS, who crafted individual workout routines depending on his progress and energy level.
“The days were sometimes very long, and they could be very mentally and physically demanding for him,” Amanda Potter, Landon’s mother, said. “Even when he’d get time off, there were other things he’d have to do, like go to clinic to check his blood count.”
But the challenging treatment plan didn’t phase Potter.
“Landon’s attitude was amazing,” Martindale added. “Imagine being in a hospital from Sunday-Thursday, getting chemo, and having to come into PT at 7 a.m. on a Friday. He really put the work in and worked hard every day.”
In the beginning stages of his physical therapy, Potter wore a leg brace and needed crutches to get around. He worked with Martindale on whatever he could, including gentle range of motion techniques and light hip and quad exercises.
Once he could put more weight on his leg, Potter progressed to tougher workouts like step-ups, mini squats and machine exercises.
“The first month of chemo was rough and I remember initially thinking physical therapy was just something extra I had to do. But through repetition, Meghan helped me see the improvement and that really inspired me to work harder,” Potter said.
“He set an incredible example of getting up and fighting to reach one’s goals,” Martindale said. “He came ready to work every time, and to see someone that young - with everything
he’s going through - fight that hard, was just so inspiring.”
Ms. Potter adds Meghan’s kindness and encouragement made a big impact.
“When she got him up and moving and doing things more independently, it did wonders for his mental state,” Amanda Potter said.
After 36 weeks of chemo, Potter’s care team declared him cancer-free.
He spent another year working with Martindale and completed multiple sessions per week.
“I just took it one day at a time,” Potter said. “There were days I was exhausted and had no energy, and there were days where the work made such a huge difference.”
“With each stride he made, Landon still wanted to be here and put the work in,” Martindale said. “He wanted to get better, be able to walk and be able to skate and work on his truck. He came ready to work every time.”
Ms. Potter credits not only Landon’s positive attitude, but the positive relationship he built with Martindale and the motivation it gave him.
“Landon is a quiet and reserved guy, so establishing the connection that Meghan did with him says so much. She and her team are so passionate about what they do and I’m so proud of what they accomplished,” Ms. Potter said.
While recovering, he took on the same attitude and determination he showed in physical therapy in other areas of his life. He finished high school with honors, took junior college courses and even rebuilt a truck.
He recently graduated from Parkland College in Champaign and now works in the area as a farming service technician.
And even though hockey is no longer possible for him, he is back on the ice skating.
“I’m really enjoying my career and my life – I’m
excited to go out there every day and do what I do,” Potter said. “Things are going really good, and I feel great - no pain and no complaints.”
Martindale considers Potter one of her most impactful patients.
“He is the patient I remember the most because of his work ethic and his drive. There are some days where you just don’t want to get up and go, but Landon always stayed determined.”
After intense surgery and numerous rounds of chemotherapy, Potter is now cancer-free, and he praises the physical therapy he received after those treatments at Carle Health as a major factor in his ability to recovery.
Potter – a native of Bismarck, Illinois – was never a fan of sitting still.
His typical day consisted of tending to the fields on his farm, riding four-wheelers, fishing, working on trucks, and, on the weekends, tractor pulling with his family.
He is also a big ice hockey fan, having skated and played goalie since he was five years old.
“One night after a hockey game, I felt some pain in my knee. It stuck around after a few games, so eventually I went to the doctor and did some x-rays,” Potter said.
Potter’s pediatrician, Neena Tripathy, MD, located a years-long cartilage buildup in his knee and referred him to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in Peoria. There an orthopedic surgeon determined a limb-salvaging procedure was necessary.
It was during that surgery that his cancer was discovered. The following month, he began chemotherapy and continued physical therapy to rehabilitate his leg.
“I was told it would take a full year to gain my nerve endings back and even longer than that to fully recover,” Potter said. “I’ll always remember my grandfather telling me, ‘You will get back what you put in,’ and that stuck with me.”
In an effort to stay close to home, Potter chose to complete his chemotherapy at St. Jude in Peoria and his physical therapy at Carle Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Champaign.
He immediately began working with Meghan Martindale, PT, DPT, SCS, who crafted individual workout routines depending on his progress and energy level.
“The days were sometimes very long, and they could be very mentally and physically demanding for him,” Amanda Potter, Landon’s mother, said. “Even when he’d get time off, there were other things he’d have to do, like go to clinic to check his blood count.”But the challenging treatment plan didn’t phase Potter.
“Landon’s attitude was amazing,” Martindale added. “Imagine being in a hospital from Sunday-Thursday, getting chemo, and having to come into PT at 7 a.m. on a Friday. He really put the work in and worked hard every day.”
In the beginning stages of his physical therapy, Potter wore a leg brace and needed crutches to get around. He worked with Martindale on whatever he could, including gentle range of motion techniques and light hip and quad exercises.
Once he could put more weight on his leg, Potter progressed to tougher workouts like step-ups, mini squats and machine exercises.
“The first month of chemo was rough and I remember initially thinking physical therapy was just something extra I had to do. But through repetition, Meghan helped me see the improvement and that really inspired me to work harder,” Potter said.
“He set an incredible example of getting up and fighting to reach one’s goals,” Martindale said. “He came ready to work every time, and to see someone that young - with everything
he’s going through - fight that hard, was just so inspiring.”Ms. Potter adds Meghan’s kindness and encouragement made a big impact.
“When she got him up and moving and doing things more independently, it did wonders for his mental state,” Amanda Potter said.
After 36 weeks of chemo, Potter’s care team declared him cancer-free.
He spent another year working with Martindale and completed multiple sessions per week.
“I just took it one day at a time,” Potter said. “There were days I was exhausted and had no energy, and there were days where the work made such a huge difference.”
“With each stride he made, Landon still wanted to be here and put the work in,” Martindale said. “He wanted to get better, be able to walk and be able to skate and work on his truck. He came ready to work every time.”
Ms. Potter credits not only Landon’s positive attitude, but the positive relationship he built with Martindale and the motivation it gave him.
“Landon is a quiet and reserved guy, so establishing the connection that Meghan did with him says so much. She and her team are so passionate about what they do and I’m so proud of what they accomplished,” Ms. Potter said.While recovering, he took on the same attitude and determination he showed in physical therapy in other areas of his life. He finished high school with honors, took junior college courses and even rebuilt a truck.
He recently graduated from Parkland College in Champaign and now works in the area as a farming service technician.
And even though hockey is no longer possible for him, he is back on the ice skating.
“I’m really enjoying my career and my life – I’m
excited to go out there every day and do what I do,” Potter said. “Things are going really good, and I feel great - no pain and no complaints.”Martindale considers Potter one of her most impactful patients.
“He is the patient I remember the most because of his work ethic and his drive. There are some days where you just don’t want to get up and go, but Landon always stayed determined.”
Categories: Culture of Quality
Tags: bone, cancer, exercise, oncology, osteosarcoma, physical, rehab, therapy