Jamie Zientara.Photo:Jamie Zientara/GoFundMeJayden Zientara, 24, needed to keep her brain stimulated during a portion of her surgery to remove a cancerous tumorShe sang a childhood song listing all 50 states, and a video of her rendition — performed on the operating table — has gone viralZientara’s family has started a GoFundMe to help her pay to freeze her eggs before beginning chemotherapy and radiation, which could cause fertility issuesWhen Jayden Zientara was told she’d need to remain alert during a portion of her upcoming brain surgery to remove acancerous tumor, she knew exactly how she’d stay engaged with the doctors.“I told them I could list all 50 states in alphabetic order,” Zientara toldFOX News Digitalabout her special skill, which she credits to a song she learned as a child.“It’s a song I’ve known since I was young,” she told the outlet. “I learned it in elementary school, and I’ve never forgotten it.“A video of Zientara singing the song of the 50 states has since gone viral, with her mom, Jamie Zientara, sharing with FOX News Digital that, “the exposure andoutpouring of support she has received has been nothing short of amazing.”The 24-year-old health care worker at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Hospital said her journey to surgery began with a migraine that started last November.“I never get migraines or headaches, so like any other person, I took Ibuprofen and Tylenol, hoping my headache would go away,” she told the outlet, adding that she went to urgent care when her headache didn’t subside.She was prescribed migraine medication, and told if her migraine didn’t subside in another 24 hours, to get a CT scan.Two days later, Zientara got the scan, whichshowed a brain mass.Further testing revealed that Zientara hadbrain cancer— specifically, a tumor called astrocytoma — which would require surgery to remove.Jayden Zientara undergoes surgery.Fox NewsAs theMayo Clinicexplains, the tumor starts in cells called astrocytes, which “support and connect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.”Removal of Zientara’s tumor would require her tobe awakefor a portion of the procedure, something theNational Institute of Healthexplains “allows the neurosurgeon to maximize tumor resection while preserving neurological function.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Zientara said doctors asked for topicsshe could easily talk aboutduring surgery, and she said could chat “for hours” about the Boston Celtics — or sing a song about the 50 states.Next up for Zientara is chemotherapy and radiation, which will be delayed a bit as she wants to freeze her eggs, according to anupdateher mom posted to aGoFundMethe family set up for her medical bills.“Obviously the hope and goal is that Jayden beats this cancer and returns to to normal life and future!” the update read. “When that day comes, she wants the option to be there for her to have children.”As theNational Cancer Institutepoints out, “Cancer treatments are important for your future health, but they may harm reproductive organs and glands that control fertility.”But as Zientara told Fox News Digital, she’s not worried about her upcoming treatments.“After my first brain surgery,” she said,” I guess you could say I’m a pro.”
Jamie Zientara.Photo:Jamie Zientara/GoFundMe
Jamie Zientara/GoFundMe
Jayden Zientara, 24, needed to keep her brain stimulated during a portion of her surgery to remove a cancerous tumorShe sang a childhood song listing all 50 states, and a video of her rendition — performed on the operating table — has gone viralZientara’s family has started a GoFundMe to help her pay to freeze her eggs before beginning chemotherapy and radiation, which could cause fertility issuesWhen Jayden Zientara was told she’d need to remain alert during a portion of her upcoming brain surgery to remove acancerous tumor, she knew exactly how she’d stay engaged with the doctors.“I told them I could list all 50 states in alphabetic order,” Zientara toldFOX News Digitalabout her special skill, which she credits to a song she learned as a child.“It’s a song I’ve known since I was young,” she told the outlet. “I learned it in elementary school, and I’ve never forgotten it.“A video of Zientara singing the song of the 50 states has since gone viral, with her mom, Jamie Zientara, sharing with FOX News Digital that, “the exposure andoutpouring of support she has received has been nothing short of amazing.”The 24-year-old health care worker at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Hospital said her journey to surgery began with a migraine that started last November.“I never get migraines or headaches, so like any other person, I took Ibuprofen and Tylenol, hoping my headache would go away,” she told the outlet, adding that she went to urgent care when her headache didn’t subside.She was prescribed migraine medication, and told if her migraine didn’t subside in another 24 hours, to get a CT scan.Two days later, Zientara got the scan, whichshowed a brain mass.Further testing revealed that Zientara hadbrain cancer— specifically, a tumor called astrocytoma — which would require surgery to remove.Jayden Zientara undergoes surgery.Fox NewsAs theMayo Clinicexplains, the tumor starts in cells called astrocytes, which “support and connect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.”Removal of Zientara’s tumor would require her tobe awakefor a portion of the procedure, something theNational Institute of Healthexplains “allows the neurosurgeon to maximize tumor resection while preserving neurological function.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Zientara said doctors asked for topicsshe could easily talk aboutduring surgery, and she said could chat “for hours” about the Boston Celtics — or sing a song about the 50 states.Next up for Zientara is chemotherapy and radiation, which will be delayed a bit as she wants to freeze her eggs, according to anupdateher mom posted to aGoFundMethe family set up for her medical bills.“Obviously the hope and goal is that Jayden beats this cancer and returns to to normal life and future!” the update read. “When that day comes, she wants the option to be there for her to have children.”As theNational Cancer Institutepoints out, “Cancer treatments are important for your future health, but they may harm reproductive organs and glands that control fertility.”But as Zientara told Fox News Digital, she’s not worried about her upcoming treatments.“After my first brain surgery,” she said,” I guess you could say I’m a pro.”
When Jayden Zientara was told she’d need to remain alert during a portion of her upcoming brain surgery to remove acancerous tumor, she knew exactly how she’d stay engaged with the doctors.
“I told them I could list all 50 states in alphabetic order,” Zientara toldFOX News Digitalabout her special skill, which she credits to a song she learned as a child.
“It’s a song I’ve known since I was young,” she told the outlet. “I learned it in elementary school, and I’ve never forgotten it.”
A video of Zientara singing the song of the 50 states has since gone viral, with her mom, Jamie Zientara, sharing with FOX News Digital that, “the exposure andoutpouring of support she has received has been nothing short of amazing.”
The 24-year-old health care worker at Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Hospital said her journey to surgery began with a migraine that started last November.
“I never get migraines or headaches, so like any other person, I took Ibuprofen and Tylenol, hoping my headache would go away,” she told the outlet, adding that she went to urgent care when her headache didn’t subside.
She was prescribed migraine medication, and told if her migraine didn’t subside in another 24 hours, to get a CT scan.
Two days later, Zientara got the scan, whichshowed a brain mass.
Further testing revealed that Zientara hadbrain cancer— specifically, a tumor called astrocytoma — which would require surgery to remove.
Jayden Zientara undergoes surgery.Fox News
Fox News
As theMayo Clinicexplains, the tumor starts in cells called astrocytes, which “support and connect nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.”
Removal of Zientara’s tumor would require her tobe awakefor a portion of the procedure, something theNational Institute of Healthexplains “allows the neurosurgeon to maximize tumor resection while preserving neurological function.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Zientara said doctors asked for topicsshe could easily talk aboutduring surgery, and she said could chat “for hours” about the Boston Celtics — or sing a song about the 50 states.
Next up for Zientara is chemotherapy and radiation, which will be delayed a bit as she wants to freeze her eggs, according to anupdateher mom posted to aGoFundMethe family set up for her medical bills.
“Obviously the hope and goal is that Jayden beats this cancer and returns to to normal life and future!” the update read. “When that day comes, she wants the option to be there for her to have children.”
As theNational Cancer Institutepoints out, “Cancer treatments are important for your future health, but they may harm reproductive organs and glands that control fertility.”
But as Zientara told Fox News Digital, she’s not worried about her upcoming treatments.
“After my first brain surgery,” she said,” I guess you could say I’m a pro.”
source: people.com
