Cancer Warrior Spotlight: Hayden
After an injury to the head in March of 2014, four-year-old Hayden Heaberlin began having symptoms of vomiting and major headaches. After several days of these symptoms, an MRI detected fluid build-up and a small tumor in the pineal region of his brain. He underwent surgery to drain the fluid build-up and remove as much of the tumor as possible for biopsy. It was diagnosed as a mixed tumor with components of an immature teratoma and non-germinomatous germ cell tumor (NGGCT). Hayden was immediately flown to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN to receive treatment.
Hayden’s tumor was very rare, but because all of the years of research St. Jude did prior to his diagnosis, they knew exactly what treatment would give Hayden the best prognosis for cure. Hayden underwent six rounds of chemotherapy and 30 days of proton radiation. After the second round of chemo, Hayden’s tumor was growing so he had an emergency surgery. The doctors were able to remove the WHOLE tumor!
The doctors warned us due to the heavy dose of brain radiation at such a young age that Hayden would have cognitive delays, and would struggle in school indefinitely. Hayden is now 15 years old, and 10 years cancer free! He is thriving!! He has maintained straight A’s, in honors classes, and has a passion for attending church, tennis, golf, and music. God is good!
His family is so thankful for St. Jude. They will forever donate their time, money, and resources to give back to St. Jude Research Hospital so there are more success stories just like Hayden’s in the future.