It was a typical Saturday afternoon. Hayli, 8 years old, big sister to 2 brothers, played in a basketball game and then went to a friends house to play. Shortly after, her parents got a call that she wasn't feeling well and needed picked up. She complained of a headache which was soon followed by vomiting. "She must have the flu" thought her parents. Right?
The next day, March 2nd, symptoms got worse. "Maybe she's dehydrated"? She became very lethargic. Vomiting continued. She had no desire to talk or get out of bed. Off to the ER they went. After a CT scan, doctors came in and told her parents there was a large tumor on the back of her brain and it would need to be removed as soon as possible. Talk about a sudden shock! One day she was playing in a basketball game, then the next day they're told she has a brain tumor.
She was transferred to a larger hospital an hour away from their home. After further tests, she was scheduled for brain surgery 4 days later. The tumor was removed during a 6 hour brain surgery, and the excruciating wait for the pathology report began.
March 16th the neurosurgeon called and informed Hayli's parents that the tumor was in fact Medulloblastoma...brain cancer. Medulloblastoma is the most common brain cancer for children under the age of 10. Not the news any parent wants to hear. 2 days later, she had a spinal tap to find out if the cancer cells were in her spinal fluid. The good news was that the cancer did not appear to have spread, and the spinal fluid was clear. After meeting with pediatric oncologists and radiologists, Hayli's 55 week treatment plan was in place. Yes, I said 55 weeks! Each week, 5 days of radiation and 1 day of chemo. And all of this taking place at a hospital 1 hour away from their home (the family resides in Dixon, CA and the treatment will take place in Roseville, CA).
Parents, Kerri and Mike, also have 2 young boys, ages 3 and 8 months. Kerri has taken a leave from work. They are determined to do anything and everything they can for Hayli. Please take a moment to say a prayer for a sweet, innocent 8 year old girl that is currently fighting a battle no child should ever have to fight. We appreciate anything you can do to help make this battle a little easier.
We will continue to update as she begins radiation today (March 30th).
Thank you!
Team Hayli
The next day, March 2nd, symptoms got worse. "Maybe she's dehydrated"? She became very lethargic. Vomiting continued. She had no desire to talk or get out of bed. Off to the ER they went. After a CT scan, doctors came in and told her parents there was a large tumor on the back of her brain and it would need to be removed as soon as possible. Talk about a sudden shock! One day she was playing in a basketball game, then the next day they're told she has a brain tumor.
She was transferred to a larger hospital an hour away from their home. After further tests, she was scheduled for brain surgery 4 days later. The tumor was removed during a 6 hour brain surgery, and the excruciating wait for the pathology report began.
March 16th the neurosurgeon called and informed Hayli's parents that the tumor was in fact Medulloblastoma...brain cancer. Medulloblastoma is the most common brain cancer for children under the age of 10. Not the news any parent wants to hear. 2 days later, she had a spinal tap to find out if the cancer cells were in her spinal fluid. The good news was that the cancer did not appear to have spread, and the spinal fluid was clear. After meeting with pediatric oncologists and radiologists, Hayli's 55 week treatment plan was in place. Yes, I said 55 weeks! Each week, 5 days of radiation and 1 day of chemo. And all of this taking place at a hospital 1 hour away from their home (the family resides in Dixon, CA and the treatment will take place in Roseville, CA).
Parents, Kerri and Mike, also have 2 young boys, ages 3 and 8 months. Kerri has taken a leave from work. They are determined to do anything and everything they can for Hayli. Please take a moment to say a prayer for a sweet, innocent 8 year old girl that is currently fighting a battle no child should ever have to fight. We appreciate anything you can do to help make this battle a little easier.
We will continue to update as she begins radiation today (March 30th).
Thank you!
Team Hayli
Organizer and beneficiary
Kerri Thomas
Beneficiary