BETTENDORF, Iowa - Pleasant Valley High School had a yellow out for one of their own. The rally was for 15-year-old Parker Kress, who was preparing to have his leg amputated next week.
Parker was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. Doctors found a tumor on his leg. After 17 rounds of chemo and six surgeries things were looking up until Parker got an infection in his leg.
"Back in August we met with a surgeon and he said if this infection isn`t cleared up by now it's not going to be," said Parker's mom, Kristin Dumser.
The doctor gave Parker a choice to have his leg amputated.
"I like to play sports and that surgery was the best option to stay physical and you know move around so it had to be that choice really," said Parker.
Just four days from surgery his classmates and the community decided to have a rally at Friday night's football games.
"It`s supposed to be like a sendoff really," said Parker.
However, it was good news that turned the sendoff into a celebration.
"It's been a real roller coaster ride I mean I was prepared for surgery next week now it`s not going to happen," said Parker.
It's news that Parker's mom calls a miracle, "The infection seemed to be healed, the spot was healed over. There was no drainage so there's no need to do the amputation anymore."
While Parker and his family know the bad days aren't over yet, they know right now is the time to celebrate.
"There`s more events coming in the future, there`s more scans in the next few weeks. We know it`s not the end. We`ve learned over the last two years, we`ve had our highs and lows, you pick the moments where you really try to celebrate, this is one of them," said Parker's dad, Kevin Dumser.
Some spots have been found on Parker's lungs. He heads back to the doctors in November to see if it's cancerous or not.
The school had planned a sendoff assembly on Monday, the day before his planned surgery. Pleasant Valley will still have an assembly, but it will now be a party instead.