Pineal. August 20, 2004. News article: "Relief from darkness. Brain surgery at 13," by Megan Shirey. York Dispatch (Pennsylvania).

FLUORIDE ACTION NETWORK PESTICIDE PROJECT

Pineal. August 20, 2004. News article published by the York Dispatch (Pennsylvania)

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/Stories/0,1413,138~10023~2348194,00.html

August 20, 2004

York Dispatch (Pennsylvania)

Relief from darkness. Brain surgery at 13.

By Megan Shirey
For The York Dispatch

After four years of living in darkness, Jessica Hengst can finally see the light. And now her mother, Cheryl Hengst, is on a mission to help others see the light as well.

Jessica Hengst, 15, suffered from a symptomatic pineal brain lesion since age 9. She had severe headaches and vision problems and was very sensitive to light.

"It got to the point where we couldn't turn the TV or computer on, and we couldn't turn the lights on after dark," said Cheryl Hengst, of Dover.

Jessica said she experienced nausea and bad headaches.

"I remember I couldn't lie down to sleep because I had throbbing headaches," she said. She also experienced hearing problems and blackouts.

"It kind of affected every part of her," Hengst said.

Jessica couldn't attend school because she was repeatedly ill and had vision problems. She had to finish fifth grade with a tutor and began homeschooling in sixth grade. Jessica said she couldn't even read because of her poor vision. Her allergies were intensified to the point that her family could not keep her dog and cat in the house.

Search for answers: Hengst went from doctor to doctor, seeking a reason for Jessica's symptoms. She said many doctors told her there was nothing wrong with Jessica, or that the symptoms were psychological; Jessica was doing all this for attention.

"I knew she wasn't making it up," Hengst said. "I know my daughter."

Jessica said she was frustrated that the doctors sometimes didn't believe her.
"It made me mad because it wasn't true," she said.

Hengst said doctors gave Jessica antidepressant medication, medication to control her elevated blood pressure and heart rate, and seizure medication to alleviate her symptoms. However, the side affects forced Jessica to discontinue taking the medicine. She also was placed on thyroid medication.

After Jessica had an MRI, it was found she had a cyst on her pineal gland in her brain. But the doctors told Hengst that a cyst on the pineal gland doesn't cause the symptoms Jessica was getting.

After conversing with a relative who worked in hospitals doing neurological research about pineal cysts, Hengst and Jessica went with the relative to a neurosurgeon they had already been to and finally heard the word they had been looking for --surgery.

Surgery in Boston: Jessica's neurosurgeon recommended Children's Hospital of Boston, and at age 13, Jessica underwent major brain surgery to remove the cyst.

"All I remember about before the surgery was that I was happy and nervous," Jessica said. "Brain surgery isn't something to be happy about, but I knew I'd feel better after it."

After removal of the 2.1 centimeter cyst, Jessica's health improved rapidly.

"Immediately following surgery she had tremendous relief from pain," Hengst said.

Jessica said her surgeon thought she would sleep a lot after surgery, but she didn't.

"I didn't sleep a lot because I felt so much better," she said. "I had all my pains gone. I had so much energy because I felt so good. I was just so happy."

Jessica said she plans to continue homeschooling until 12th grade, and then plans to go to college to be an interior decorator. She said that although she lost some friends during her sickness, she can now go out with her friends again. She can also keep her dog and cat in the house again.

"Before surgery I couldn't see fireworks because they hurt my eyes, but now I can," she said.
Mother on a mission: Now Cheryl Hengst is on a mission to help other people suffering from pineal brain lesions.

"I want to somehow help them, tell them there is an answer," she said. "Find a doctor that will help. They have the knowledge."

Hengst said she has already been in contact with almost 200 people suffering from pineal brain lesions. Through the Internet, Hengst found support groups and boards where people have asked for help. She also has a Web site so that people can contact her for help. She said she sends out information copied from medical journals proving surgery is an effective way to treat the symptoms.

"The post office is probably sick of me because I am there every day mailing out information," she said. "I want all those other people to have their life back. There are a lot of people with these symptoms and the doctors have the answer."

Hengst said anyone who wants information can contact her at glorybound100@yahoo.com .
"I'm just praying that God will help me make it known," she said, adding medical journals are her proof that surgery is the answer, as well as her daughter's improved health.

"It is my earnest desire to help everyone that is still suffering with a pineal brain lesion," Hengst said.