My 15-year old daughter Haley Rose Dyal was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) stage 4
I wanted to present to you what my little girl has been going through. I have been talking with some wonderful people on www.inspire.com a site that is for cancer patients and care givers to share concerns, inspire one another, and to share experiences with each other. Several of them have requested that I contact the media about Haley. And I agree people need to be informed for several reasons.
First, to let parents know that this is possible, I sure didn't know. As I look back, I have a hard time forgiving myself (as in not happening) for not taking her to the doctor much sooner. The public needs to be educated. I have had several nurses, and the social worker for Jewish Barns (Washington University), tell me they had never seen this. The Doctors all told me it was extremely rare. How Rare? Dr. West, a Medical Oncologist in Seattle, WA, who is well respected around the glob said “I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of my own patients under 30 with lung cancer over the past decade” When medical personnel are in shock that this could happen, then you know we are in need of publicity of this possibility. The one common symptom in lung cancer patients in the early stages is pain in the shoulder. Haley had this symptom about a year and half ago. Had I took her then, we could have caught this in stage 1. But, that would have only been if I would have known to stress to the doctor to please do an x-ray, CAT scan, MRI of her chest. No way would I have known to do that. And convincing a doctor to go that far for a 13 year old would have been tough. They would have thought I was an over protective parent. Now we are at stage 4 which is not curable.
I have had a lot of trouble getting help from medical centers that are strictly devoted to cancer. MD Anderson would not take Haley's case. I also tried St Jude’s. I contacted Cancer Treatment Centers of America. I presented my case to them for 45min just to have them tell my they do not treat pediatrics at all. That has been the problem. The children’s hospital won’t see her because its Lung cancer and the adult hospitals won’t take her because she is under 18.
Second, people also need to know that lung cancer is not JUST a smoker's disease. And I know so many times the first question people ask is, are you a smoker? And sometimes people are very judgmental with a, well you knew better kind of attitude. This is so wrong. They need comparison as much as anybody. And we all have our imperfections.
So no one in Haley's immediate family has ever smoked, nor has she. There
Is some history of lung cancer, Grandpa on her mom's side was diagnosed at age 67 and her great grandpa on my side was diagnosed at age 70 both long term smokers. We live in a rural area (250 miles from closest large city) so pollution I would think is out. We do not live close to any farms. I would think that Haley already being at stage 4 at age 15 should open the public eyes to this being a disease that will attack ANYONE! She has always been a very healthy child.
My hope is also that medical field will take notice and get on research for children as to cause, cure and educating the public to look for signs in children. Although I realize I can't go back, somebody needs to worn parents that this is possible.
My brother made my daughter a website. www.haleydyal.com I would like you to read under Testimonials, The Inspiration of a Child. This is actually post’s that I made In the Ozark Regional Forums. Lots of people have been encouraged by my daughter’s faith. And her story reminds us what is most precious in life. The time we have with our children.
There are also some pictures and video of my darling girl as well. Under Blog I posted what Lebanon High School did for our family in this time of need and great trial.
IF, anyone can help me with this I would be internally grateful.
God bless
Scott Dyal
Phone: 417-718-2759
Email: scott@dyalit.com
cassie says ...
On Monday, Dec 15 at 8:24 PM
i hope ur daughter can recover from this i will pray for her