THOMASVILLE, Ga. — After years of surgeries, treatments and setbacks, 12-year-old Rhealynn “Rhea” Mills has returned to the softball field — a milestone her family once wasn’t sure would come.

Rhea was diagnosed with metastatic osteosarcoma in October 2022. She underwent a right hip disarticulation — an amputation of her right leg — along with multiple thoracic surgeries after the cancer spread to her lungs.

‘There was one point I thought I was done’

Rhea said returning to the field carried real weight.

“It was really, I’m really glad I got to step on it,” she said. “And I really want to start pitching very good. And hitting and running.”

She acknowledged there were moments she doubted she would play again.

“There was one point I thought I was done,” Rhea said, “but then it came back to me that I wanted to do it again.”

Health update: No active cancer detected

Her mother, Revana Mills, said the family continues to take things one day at a time.

“Currently, right now, it does seem we don’t have any active cancer,” Revana said. “We do have a 10 centimeter mass that is in the left upper lobe, and the ultimate goal now is for it to just shrink on its own.”

Rhea takes several medications daily and continues physical therapy, working to rebuild shoulder strength and manage lingering back pain. The family is scheduled to return to Texas in August for scans.

Earlier this spring, abnormal lab results prompted an early return to Texas. Doctors had feared the possibility of a secondary cancer, leading to weeks of testing. The results ultimately showed no secondary cancer — the abnormal lab work was caused by low copper levels. The family also shared that the large tumor in Rhea’s lung appeared to be completely dead.

“So we couldn’t ask for a better birthday gift,” the family wrote in a May update. “Our girl continues to be our little miracle.”

‘She’s like the strongest kid’

Revana described watching her daughter return to the field as one of the most emotional moments of their journey.

“It’s probably been one of the most emotional parts just because it was something she loved before all of this happened,” Revana said. “And it was kind of, are we ever going to get here again? Are we ever going to be able to do this?”

She said Rhea’s determination has carried the entire family.

“She’s like the strongest kid,” Revana said. “And when she doesn’t give up, we can’t give up. She kind of inspires us too.”

Revana described her daughter’s mindset as one that pushes back against doubt.

“You tell me I can’t do something and I’m going to prove you wrong mentality — I feel like she’s had that from day one,” she said. “Watching her step out there and actually accomplish it — it’s pretty incredible.”

Faith, inspiration and what’s next

Rhea said her faith has played a central role in her journey.

“When I got baptized, I was like, wow, I really did it,” she said. “He’s helped me through the three years that I’ve been through this.”

She said inspiring others matters to her.

“It feels great,” Rhea said. “I love trying to inspire people to keep working.”

More than 10,000 people now follow Rhea’s story online, where the family regularly shares updates covering both the difficult realities of childhood cancer and everyday moments — fishing trips, horseback riding, golf and laughter. The family recently announced a YouTube channel to document those moments.

“This space will be filled with the real moments,” the family wrote. “Most of all, we hope it encourages anyone facing hard days to keep fighting and keep finding joy.”

As for her softball goals, Rhea said she is focused on the present.

“I would love to play in college,” she said, “but I want to try to get better right now. So I will get there.”

The family recently announced a YouTube channel to document those moments, hoping Rhea’s story encourages others facing difficult battles.

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