MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WTVF) — It was a triumphant return for a Wilson County second grader on Wednesday. 7-year-old Gabby Aulds has been absent from school while battling osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.
Melissa Aulds, Gabby's mother, tells us last year around Thanksgiving Gabby complained about her leg hurting and was limping. She thought she hurt her leg on the slide. After getting an MRI, doctors found a tumor in Gabby's leg. Gabby underwent chemotherapy for 8 and a half months and had multiple surgeries, including having a donor bone inserted in her leg.
Gabby had to take a year off of school but has been anxious to return to West Elementary in Mt. Juliet.
Students and teachers gave Gabby a big welcome with hugs and smiles. Gabby kicked off second grade by doing a presentation on Paris. It's a place she's always dreamed of visiting.
Melissa said they couldn't get through this rough time without the support of the community. The Wilson county community has rallied around Gabby including last Thursday. Gabby did the coin toss at The West Wilson-Watertown Middle School football game.
While Melissa is elated that the worst is behind them for now, she hopes Gabby's story will raise awareness about pediatric cancer. Each year in the U.S. there are almost 16 thousand children between the ages of birth and 19 years diagnosed with cancer.
