The Amazing Story of Hayley Arsenault - From Beating Cancer to Going to Space

At the age of 10, American Haley Arsenault fell ill with osteosarcoma, a rare oncological disease that is sometimes called "bone cancer." The girl was able to overcome the disease, but she had to spend a year in the clinic, undergo several operations and undergo 12 courses of chemotherapy. Now Haley works in this clinic as a doctor's assistant and helps other young patients. She also became the youngest American in space, starred in a movie and wrote two books.

Hayley Arsenault learned of her terrible diagnosis at the age of ten. She began to limp badly, but did not immediately notice it. The girl seriously studied taekwondo with her father and even received a black belt. Everyone thought that the pain in her leg was the result of a sports injury. But soon a lump appeared above the knee, and the girl had to undergo an examination.

The result shocked Hayley and her parents. Doctors found osteosarcoma, a malignant bone tumor, in the girl. Now Arsenault recalls that period of her life like this:

The facility is located in Memphis, Tennessee, and is considered one of the most advanced cancer clinics in the world. Haley underwent chemotherapy every three weeks. In total, she underwent 12 courses in just one year. In addition, she received 50 blood transfusions during this time.

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All these measures helped stop the tumor from growing, and surgeons removed the affected area of the bone. In its place, they installed an innovative prosthesis that can be enlarged without surgery as the limb grows. At some point, the attending physician told Hayley that she was completely healthy.

Arsenault had mixed feelings. On the one hand, she was happy that her suffering was over. On the other hand, she did not want to leave the hospital that had given her a second life. Then Haley decided that she would definitely get a medical education and return to work at this clinic. 13 years passed, and Haley successfully completed her studies at the Louisiana Medical University.

But the first resume sent to the Apostle Thaddeus Clinic went unanswered. So Arsenault got a job as an emergency room physician in her hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2020, Haley applied again for a job at the oncology clinic, and this time she was hired. Haley became a pediatric assistant.

In 2021, Haley Arsenault became a participant in SpaceX's Inspiration4 project, the first space mission in history to involve only civilians.

The space flight took place on September 16, 2021. In addition to Arsenault, the crew members of the ship included billionaire Jared Isaacman, who paid for the flight and donated $100 million to the clinic, African-American entrepreneur and ship pilot Shan Proctor, and former Air Force aircraft technician and engineer Christopher Sembroski.

Before the flight, all crew members underwent rigorous six-month training. This included flying military fighter jets, mountain climbing, and a water survival course. Arsenault considers herself honored to represent cancer survivors in space.

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After three days in orbit, the crew returned to Earth. In space, Arsenault was able to apply her medical knowledge - she gave injections. It turns out that due to the special behavior of liquid in zero gravity, this is not so easy to do. But the main goal of the flight was to raise money for children with cancer.

After the mission, it turned out that they had raised $250 million. In addition, the Inspiration4 crew entered the Guinness Book of Records as the first fully civilian crew. Hayley Arceneaux became the youngest American woman in space and the first astronaut with a prosthesis. Sian Proctor also set a record, becoming the first black woman to pilot a spacecraft.

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The girl continues to work in the oncology clinic and helps other children who have undergone treatment. Hayley believes that her participation in the space mission inspires children who are battling cancer and gives them hope.

Hayley Arsenault's accomplishments didn't end there. She starred in a documentary about the space mission that was released on Netflix in 2022. Hayley has also written two books. The first book was released in 2021 and is called "Dream to Live." The second book, "This Will Be My Biggest Dream," was released in 2022 and became a bestseller.

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Categories: health and medicine space

Tags: astronautshospitaltreatmentmemphisprosthesiscancer