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Health teacher gives birth while undergoing chemotherapy
September 7, 2006 Liz and Will Hyatt Liz Hyatt's goals for the school year are simple. "KISS - keep it simple, silly," said the middle-level health teacher, reciting her mantra. After enduring ovarian cancer and months of chemotherapy treatments - all while pregnant with her second son, Will - Hyatt places a premium on basic, honest communication on health issues. "I talked about my condition with my students," said Hyatt, a member of the Skaneateles Teachers Association in Onondaga County. She believes the frank discussion broadened their understanding of the illness and reduced their fear. "Most kids get scared by what they don't know," she said. The health teacher's own health became an unavoidable teaching point last year. After leaning to move a desk, she doubled over in abdominal pain in the middle of class, an early symptom of her cancer. This year she will incorporate more small group experiential learning and discussion into her lessons to help students better understand conditions ranging from autism to mental retardation to learning disabilities. "I want to take some of the fear out of health issues that are not everyday typical," she said. Hyatt will teach the importance of hope. "I survived cancer and brought a baby through it," she said. "I realize I'm very lucky, but I want my students to know that to persevere, they need to have hope when facing something like that." Seven months after her last chemotherapy treatment, Hyatt is cancer-free and eager to return to the classroom. "I love my students and co-workers," she said. "The cards, letters and phone calls I got while going through treatment ... helped get me through." Hyatt's students and co-workers raised money for cancer research. "The school raised over $1,000 through its annual talent show, which they dedicated to me," Hyatt said. "At the end of the show hundreds of my co-workers and students got on stage and sang 'Lean on Me.'" "I was in tears," said Hyatt. A student songwriter recorded a CD of his tunes, sold copies and donated the proceeds. Others took part in the school's American Cancer Society Relay for Life team, which Hyatt formerly headed. This year the team raised a record $7,100, doubling last year's total. "Thanks to research showing that chemotherapy could be safely administered during pregnancy, I got to keep my son," Hyatt said. Will Michael, born May 5, at 5 pounds, 15 ounces, was small but healthy and continues to thrive. Liz and her husband, Art, also have an older son, John. "I'm grateful for the chance to give back to an organization like the ACS that has given my family and me so much," she said. - Kara E. Smith |
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