Miracle for self-employed Traralgon father Robin Holmes diagnosed with rare form of bone cancer

A Traralgon dad’s world turned upside down when he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer in his leg. Now a miracle surgery means he may walk again.

Traralgon father and self-employed tiler Robin Holmes was devastated after he was diagnosed with a chondrosarcoma in his leg, but was blessed with a bone transplant donor near Christmas last year. Picture: Supplied

A Traralgon father and self-employed tiler diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer has seen a miracle after a transplant donor was found.

Robin Holmes, 45, was diagnosed with chondrosarcoma three months ago — a rare bone cancer in his left leg — years after he first felt a sharp pain in his leg.

“It’s probably taken over a year to diagnose and to find out what went wrong with me — I had an X-ray and went to physio and then finally I got sent in for a CAT scan and found it in August,” Mr Holmes said.

“It was a giant cell tumour and it got worse from there.”

Mr Holmes, who used to play at the Traralgon City Soccer Club, has been on crutches and off work since September last year.

Mr Holmes’ wife Lauren, was due to return to work in March from unpaid maternity leave, but will instead take care of their children while her husband recovers. Picture: Facebook

But it was a Christmas miracle for the sports enthusiast after he was told a donor had become available for him.

“It’s a miracle that they’re going to save my leg to the point where I’m going to be functional,” he said.

“Obviously I think my sporting days might be over — it’s such a long recovery and it couldn’t have happened at a worse time with the ages the kids are when they need constant care as I will.”

“The max I should be on crutches is a year and the full recovery is a maximum of 18 months so hopefully I get to a stage where rehab is in my hands and out of their hands.

The alternative to the tibia transplant would have been amputation.

Robbie Holmes, his wife Lauren and their two children Finn and Levi. Picture: Supplied

Unable to work or financially care for his wife Lauren or kids Finn and Levi, Mr Holmes said it would likely be at least a year off work while his leg was rehabilitated.

“We’re coming to terms with it all but I’m still fit and healthy — physically I’m fine apart from my leg — the operation to save my leg is extraordinary,” he said.

Mr Holmes has organised a gofundme page which raised more than $25,000 in just two days.

“Being self-employed, I have searched and so far found financial and carer support is limited or not available through government or industry for our situation and age bracket,” he wrote in the fundraiser.

Mr Holmes said that any left over money would be passed onto someone else who was in need or would be donated it to another charity.