For Paul Carter's sister, amputation necessary to save her life

Think you're having a bad day? A bad week? A bad life?

Well, consider the predicament of Bria Carter, the 14-year-old sister of former Gophers forward Paul Carter, who is battling a rare form of bone cancer.

Doctors recently told the Carter family that amputating Bria's lower right leg "will be necessary to save her life." Bria will have to undergo four more months of chemotherapy after the pending surgery, which could happen as early as Tuesday, according to her father, Ronald Carter.

Bria's cancer was discovered after the 6-foot eighth-grader was injured during a basketball game in December.

She's already gone through three rounds of chemotherapy at a Chicago hospital.

The Carter family has maintained its faith during a difficult time. Ronald Carter said his family has relied on "the power of prayer" and continues to hope for a miracle in the days before Bria's anticipated surgery. Ronald Carter said his family is also seeking another opinion from doctors in St. Louis this week.

"Bria's chemotherapy was unsuccessful," Ronald Carter said via email.

Earlier this month, Paul Carter decided to transfer to a school in the Chicago area, so he could be closer to his sister. His father said he's narrowed down his choices to Loyola University (Chicago), University of Chicago-Illinois and DePaul. Carter recently visited all three schools and hopes to make a decision this week, his father said.

The school he chooses will seek an NCAA hardship waiver on his behalf, citing his sister's situation. A hardship waiver would allow Paul Carter to play next season. He's expected to graduate with a degree in communications next month.

"We hope to have the school make the [hardship waiver] request on Monday," his father said.

Losing Paul Carter will certainly hurt a Gophers team that's facing another offseason filled with questions. Will Trevor Mbakwe get through his legal situation? Will Al Nolen be academically prepared to play next season? Will Royce White return?

But it's clear that Carter made his decision to leave due to the severity of his sister's situation, one that will hopefully improve in the coming months.