Jacob Hyatt inspired by swimmer Cody Miller

Obstacles are a part of everyday lives. Kastner Intermediate student, Jacob Hyatt, ‘21, struggles with his own individual battles. Hyatt is diagnosed with pectus excavatum, the chest wall disorder, where the ribs and sternum grow abnormally. This produces a concave appearance in the chest.

It was during a physical in seventh grade where Hyatt was informed by the doctor that he had signs of pectus excavatum.

“It was at the beginning of seventh grade that I started to notice something,” Hyatt said. “I was getting my physical and the doctor said that I had signs of pectus excavatum. This means that my sternum and rib cage grew abnormally. This produces a sunken or caved in look on my chest.”

Even professional athletes deal with their own personal battles. Rio Olympic swimmer Cody Miller also suffers from pectus excavatum. Miller recently competed in the Rio Olympics where he won a gold medal in the, men’s 4x100m relay and a silver medal in the, men’s 100m breaststroke.

Hyatt had a chance to watch the Olympics and believes that even with his condition, he can still perform well in sports. He plays sports both for his school and competitively.

“I got a chance to watch Cody Miller at the Olympics and also the segment that NBC did on him,” Hyatt said. “Seeing an Olympic athlete with my condition do so well makes me feel that I can still perform well with my sports, even with my condition. I currently play competitive soccer for Clovis Crossfire and I also do high jump, cross country and soccer for my school.”

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It was not until a physical earlier this year, that the doctor recommended that Hyatt see a surgeon. Jacob’s dad, Robert Hyatt was initially shocked and concerned considering his son’s involvement in sports.

“We first noticed the beginning signs of pectus excavatum last year, when Jacob had a sports physical,” Robert Hyatt said. “Earlier this year we took him for another sports physical, with his normal pediatrician, and she recommended we see a surgeon to find out our options for surgery. Our initial reaction was shock. Jacob is an active young man and we were concerned that he would have breathing complications and be limited to minimal physical activity. Nothing can prepare you for hearing that your son has a deformity that may require surgery.”

After meeting with multiple surgeons, the Hyatts believe that they found a way to improve Jacob’s overall health which would help with him athletically.

“After meeting with two different surgeons, we heard about the latest treatment, the Nuss procedure,” Robert Hyatt said. “This will correct the pectus excavatum which we believe will help Jacob recover with improved quality of life and the ability to push himself athletically for years to come.”

Hyatt’s surgery will be in December where a metal bar will be placed above his ribs to help push out his sternum for three years to help with the overgrowth. If readers would like to share their thoughts and prayers with Jacob and the Hyatt family, please leave a comment below or write a note and leave it in the office.

For the latest Feather news article, read: School year kicks off with 40th convocation. 

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @nick_leblanc1 and via email: Nick LeBlanc.