Giving thanks . . .

 At Thanksgiving, our thoughts turn to the things that matter most — faith, family, country and all the blessings we have received this past year and through the years.

Thanksgiving this year has a special meaning for the family of Jeff and Jenny Hayden, whose son, Cole, 14, recently completed 11 months of aggressive treatments for brain cancer. 

During a visit to Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis on November 7, after Cole had an MRI, Lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap), EKG, echocardiogram, pulmonary function test, audiology test  and, finally, an appointment with the oncologist — the Haydens received good news — “He is cured!”   The medical team gave us the good news and they celebrated with us,” said Cole’s mother during a recent interview. 

“It was so good to hear those words. What a relief. It was music to our ears,” recalled Jenny. “I just leaned back and said, ‘Thank you, God!’”  

And, Cole smiled.  “We were so excited and Cole just took it in. He is a very nonchalant kid,” said his mother. “He is much more relaxed now.  His spirits are so good.”

See full story in this week's edition of the Springfield Advance-Press.