CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It's been a rough few years for Dylan Provenzano.
"When I was 12, I was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma," he recalls. A rare bone cancer was found in his fibula. He said he first felt the pain while playing baseball.
"My leg kept buckling, my left leg. My coach told my parents to have it checked out," he said.
"The diagnosis was gut wrenching. It brings you to your knees. It was one of the craziest, scariest moments of our lives," said Dylan's mother, Samantha Provenzano.
The Main South freshman went through 14 rounds of chemotherapy and intense physical therapy.
"Oh yeah, Cubs therapy," laughed Samantha. "It's what got us through. Going to Cubs games, watching Cubs games at home. It's always been those little moments. It takes your mind off what's going on and relax for three hours and enjoy the game."
The Provenzanos spent Wednesday morning at Wrigley Field, but this time, pre-game took on special meaning.
"Hey, buddy, I'm Albert, nice to meet you."
Dylan was able to shake hands and take photos with outfielder Albert Almora, Junior.
"How you doing? Good to see you. You still swinging it? Have a lot of fun," said Almora, who also presented him with a signed bat.
"I knew I wanted to play baseball again, so my therapy and my drive was about meeting that goal," he said.
ATI Physical Therapy CEO Labeed Diab said the team contacted us and shared Dylan's story.
Dylan will attend Maine South in the fall. He just made a travel baseball team and hopes to pitch in the big leagues someday.
"I feel great. My body is much stronger than it used to be and I've been able to do so much more. I tell other kids like me to keep your mind positive and keep looking forward. It's been a crazy journey," Dylan said.
