Helping Dylan Fight Terminal Brain Cancer and Fulfill His Dream of a Peaceful Life

My husband, Dylan Head, 28, is an extraordinary man who medically retired from the US Army as a Combat Engineer. He was an outstanding soldier, an expert in every weapon system, and at the peak of physical fitness, with every intention of serving 20 years. All of his plans were tragically cut short in March 2022 when a doctor delivered the devastating news: "We found a Brain tumor and we are getting you ready to transfer you to Neuro ICU."

It all started with double vision. After a jog in March 2022, Dylan began experiencing it. A military optometrist initially dismissed it as needing glasses, but even after receiving them, the double vision persisted. Soon after, he developed two weeks of severe migraines, with his vision worsening to affect close-up tasks. Despite our pleas, military doctors repeatedly shrugged off his symptoms, attributing them to PTSD and refusing MRI or CT scans, even after I begged for them in the emergency room. One doctor even looked me straight in the eye and said he didn't have a brain bleed or tumor.

Refusing to accept this, I took Dylan to a civilian optometrist, who immediately found optic disc swelling. That very night, Dylan couldn't even spell the word "smile." We rushed to a civilian emergency room, where they discovered a peach-sized tumor in his left temporal lobe. He spent 11 days in Neuro ICU and underwent a craniotomy. We were given a grim 30% chance of him surviving the surgery due to the difficulty of cutting off the tumor's blood supply, and told that he would have passed within a week if the tumor hadn't been found when it was. Miraculously, they were able to remove the entire tumor.

However, that was just the beginning of his fight. At the age of 26, Dylan was diagnosed with Astrocytoma Grade 4, IDH mutation, a terminal brain cancer. He has bravely completed targeted radiation and 12 months of chemotherapy. In our current town, they only offer standard care, leading us to MD Anderson Cancer Center, a 12-hour drive one way, where we've been traveling ever since. Dylan is unable to fly due to the pressure on his head, making these arduous car journeys our only option. For a year, we self-funded all travel and lodging until we found an organization that now helps with accommodation.

For the past few years, he's been traveling to Houston every other month, sometimes as frequently as every four weeks when abnormalities need closer monitoring. These constant trips, along with the cost of medications, vitamins, supplements, dietary changes, co-pays, and daily living equipment, have completely drained our savings. I've had to become his full-time, 24-hour caregiver, unable to work.

Dylan endures daily challenges, including short-term memory loss, extreme fatigue, heat intolerance, anxiety, muscle spasms, constant chronic pain, PTSD attacks, and light weakness on his left side. His pain has become so severe that it significantly impacts his quality of life, and despite the best efforts of his pain specialists, relief remains elusive.

Initially, Dylan's life expectancy was 12 to 18 months, then updated to 2 to 3 years. He is now going on three years since his diagnosis, a testament to his incredible strength. It's no longer a matter of if a tumor will grow back, but when. As of July 2025, we are closely monitoring two concerning areas. One foci on his brain stem has grown by millimeters, and there's a signal flare with a foci above his original surgery site that has also grown by millimeters. This is the first time we've seen an abnormality change in size after the original scan, and we are awaiting confirmation if this is tumor regrowth or changes from radiation treatment.

Dylan has always dreamed of an older, slower way of life in the country, and I am trying my hardest to make that dream a reality for him.

We are traveling to Houston again in two weeks for his next critical scan and appointments, and we desperately need help with funds for travel and food during this trip.

Beyond this immediate need, we are also seeking help to make a life-changing move. The 12-hour drive to MD Anderson has become incredibly taxing on Dylan's body. With the uncertainty surrounding this next scan and the potential need to start clinical trials, moving closer to Houston, specifically to a peaceful country setting just outside the city, has become essential. Dylan doesn't want to spend his remaining time in a bustling city; he longs for the tranquility of the countryside. This move would drastically reduce the physical burden of travel and allow him quicker access to vital care and potential clinical trials.

Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in easing the immense financial burden on Dylan and our family. Your support will allow him to focus on his health and his family without added stress, providing invaluable assistance for daily living and helping us fulfill his bucket list.

Despite the terminal diagnosis and the daily struggles, Dylan fights every day with a smile on his face, always seeing the positive side of everything. He is such a kind, compassionate, and truly inspiring man. He gets up every day and pushes himself with everything he has, carrying that soldier's mentality into every stage of life.

Thank you for taking the time to read Dylan’s story. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers, and if you are able, please consider making a donation to support him in this critical time in his life.

With Much Love, Thank You,

Destiny Head