By Shelby Brooks
The community rallied around a Bunyip teenager as she faced a 10-hour surgery to remove a rare cancerous tumour.
In June, after experiencing pain in her hip, 14-year-old Hayley Callinan was diagnosed with an Ewing Sarcoma tumour.
The rare and aggressive cancer affects only three in a million children.
Hayley, who loves dancing and sport, said she was shocked to learn about the diagnosis.
“I don’t think I knew how to process it,” she said.
Many tests and scans at the Royal Children’s Hospital later, Hayley started chemotherapy treatment.
Alongside her regular chemotherapy treatment, Hayley underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove her whole left hip and three quarters of her left pelvis which will be replaced with a prosthetic made in Germany.
Mum Sally said Hayley’s positive attitude about the situation was inspiring.
“She has a long road ahead of her,” Sally said.
“She’s doing amazing, she’s very positive.
“She takes it on board and deals with it – her attitude is that every day is a step closer to the other end of this journey.”
Hayley, who is a student at Marist-Sion College in Warragul, is hoping she might be able to inspire others.
“It’s family that keeps me positive,” Hayley said.
“I have to do it if I want to continue on with life so I might as well be positive about it. No point being negative about it!”
While doctors have high hopes that Hayley will eventually make a full recovery, the surgery Hayley will undergo will be life changing.
“She could potentially never run again, she might have to give up dancing and relearn to walk,” Sally said.
