Girl's speedy recovery from brain tumor

WILBRAHAM, Mass. (WWLP) - This Spring, a family in Wilbraham had the biggest scare of their lives when their daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor. But the girl was able to make a remarkable recovery--after a state-of-the-art surgery performed here in Western Mass.

Back in March, 12 year-old Haley Godin was complaining of constant headaches and nausea.

"They wouldn't go away after I took an Advil...", said Haley.

Her parents took her to Baystate Medical Center to get an MRI...and it was then that doctors alerted the Godins that their daughter had a brain tumor.

"I don't think either of us were thinking that was going to be the outcome. We were in this little room and we were just saying--where do we go from here?", said Haley's mother, Kelly.

Neurosurgeon, Dr. Dennis Oh, told Haley's parents that there really were no other options with a tumor like this--and surgery was needed immediately.

"We're not just talking about losing function and balance and coordination. Patients can die from conditions like this when there's too much build-up of pressure inside the head," said Dr. Oh.

Doctors at Baystate were shocked at how quickly she was able to bounce back parents from surgery. She didn't even need therapy like most brain tumor patients.

"She basically breezed through surgery and because of her motivation and family support, she was able to get back on her feet very quickly...", Dr. Oh said.

"When you're going through it--especially when you get that news--it shakes your world and I would've never guessed 4 months later here we are like everything's back to normal", said Haley's father, Jason.

Just two weeks after her surgery Haley was back in school; and a few months later she was back at dance class, and even took-up piano lessons.

"She was so brave from the very beginning of the whole experience till even now. She's definitely made her parents very proud", Kelly said.

"I feel much better and I'm glad that everything worked out okay, because I love what I do. If I wasn't able to do that again, I don't know what I'd do with myself!" said Haley.

Certainly this 12 year-old's positive attitude has not only given her a new lease on life, but she is also serving as an inspiration to those around her.