KMMR to host Radio-thon for Saco's Chayten Pippin

What began as stomach cramps and a suspected case of appendicitis turned into every parent's nightmare for Saco’s Chris and Heidi Pippin on October 22nd. By the end of their son, Chayten’s, appointment in Glasgow, they were on their way for testing at the Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children in Denver. He was admitted upon arrival and was placed on the pediatric oncology floor soon thereafter.

Chayten was diagnosed as having a Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor, a very rare cancer that begins with a cell in the pelvis that attaches itself to an organ. There are under 400 known cases. That same day he underwent a second surgery to place a broviac (central port) in his chest, as well as a bone marrow biopsy.

Chris, a teacher at Saco Public Schools, and owner of Pippin’s DJ, and Heidi, who runs the family business, Pip’s Diner, have four sons. They made the front page of this paper not that long ago when they brightened the outlook of residents and travelers with a mural painted on their building that says, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”

The size of the tumor (a very large grapefruit) alarmed his doctors, who worried that it could impede the flushing of his system after chemo as it was pressing on his bladder and trapping urine in the kidneys. After a “dry” run with high levels of fluid, Chayten passed that test with flying colors and began his first round of chemo on Halloween, and finished round one this Monday.

The Pippins will have two weeks before beginning the second round of chemo. Heidi and Chayten will settle in at the Ronald McDonald House, and Chris will be temporarily returning home with their youngest son, Carter.

At present, they are trying to work out the details of how it will all work out. On the weeks when Chayten isn’t receiving treatments, they can stay at the Ronald McDonald House, but due to COVID restrictions, Carter won’t be allowed to stay, which presents another challenge for the family.

“We are a family who sticks together”, says Heidi. “Chris’s mom and sisters will obviously be a huge help, but we don’t want him to be away from us for long periods of time. It’s not fair to him.” The Pippin’s older sons, Connor and Chandler, will be there as much as possible as well. They are looking for another place that will allow them to be under the same roof.

Chemo will continue until the tumor stops shrinking, at which time it will be removed by surgery. The surgery can only remove the visible cancer, but microscopic cancer cells will still be present. At that point, the surgeon will do a procedure called HIPEC, or “hot chemo.” This is where hot chemo is poured into the abdominal cavity, which the goal to kill all of the remaining cancer cells. After recovery, regular chemo will resume ensuring no cancer cells exist, and there is also a possibility of radiation treatments to follow.

“The treatment plan has been described to us as a marathon. The surgeon on hand at RMHC has experience with HIPEC so all treatments will be done in Denver. The doctors say this whole process could take up to a year and is a total lifestyle change,” explains Heidi. “We will have to attempt to sell the diner and most likely the DJ business. The Saco School has been working with Chris to make sure he can be in Denver when he needs to be, but we hope he can return to the classroom next semester, at least part-time or with distance learning.”

The Pippins are ready to meet this battle head-on. “We will continue this fight until we beat cancer.

This sucks, but at least we found it when we could still fight it. The surgeon told us if we didn't do anything, it would be an ugly death that would be heartbreaking to watch.”

Phillips County won’t let them fight it alone. Please tune into KMMR Radio 100.1 FM on Thursday, November 12, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. as they host a Radiothon to help them cover travel and expenses. There is also a GoFundMe set up under his name online, a Venmo account (@Chay-Pip), or you can donate in his name at the First State Bank in Malta. Mail can be sent to:

Rocky Mountain Children’s Hospital

Room 2102 - Chayten Pippin

2001 N. High Street

Denver, CO 80205