Welcome to the offseason, Birdland. And welcome back to one of our most favorite offseason series, ‘Around the Nest.’
In this series, we bring you closer to the O’s players, their work in the Birdland community and their personal stories of growth and prosperity.
Over the past year, we have been keeping a close eye on former Baltimore Oriole right-hander David Hess.
Unfortunately, while in the midst of his career, Hess was given some devastating news. In October of 2021, Hess was diagnosed with a cancerous germ cell tumor. The tumor was estimated to be the size of a cantaloupe and was in the middle of his chest.
Hess went through a tough round of chemotherapy to help shrink the tumor. A run that could have killed the young athlete took its toll, but it was announced on January 28, 2022, that Hess could resume all activities and return to baseball.
Though Hess was able to get back on the field, his season was cut short as his body was still recovering from the chemotherapy treatments. After appearing in four games out of the bullpen for the Triple-A Durham Bulls, Hess ended his season three weeks later.
On December 15, 2022, Hess released a statement that his cancer has not cleared up like initially thought. He would need to endure a second round of chemotherapy to try and rid the cancer from his body.
Later scans would show that inside the tumor was a rare and aggressive type of cancer called angiosarcoma. It is a type of cancer that forms in the blood and lymph vessels of the body.
During the scan, it was also discovered that there were lung nodules that had formed as well. Those nodules would be removed and biopsied before moving forward with a sternotomy, which would be scheduled for a later date.
Hess would have the biopsy on June 1 of this year. The doctors reported the surgery as a success, with the nodules being sent to pathology. Hess even posted a picture on his Instagram account, with the sternotomy would be expected to happen about a month later.
The nodules came back from pathology about three weeks later. On June 23, Hess reported the nodules were angiosarcoma, and he would have to endure 16 weeks of a less intense form of chemotherapy before the sternotomy would be scheduled and done.
Hess maintained his upbeat and positive attitude while pushing forward with his life. He enrolled to take classes at Clemson this fall and is even coaching an amateur baseball team called the Buccaneers.
A scan in August showed that there were no new lung nodules and the tumor was continuing to shrink. This would create a better pathway for surgery and show that the chemo treatments were working.
Things appeared to be going in the right direction, and Hess, along with his wife Devin, have remained strong, kept their faith and shared his story with fans through social media. He wanted to provide hope for others while showing that even athletes can experience what ordinary people have to endure.
Last week, Hess would provide an update on his current journey. After completing another round of chemotherapy, Hess would have a scan to determine his progress and when the sternotomy would be scheduled.
Hess’ update informed his followers that the sternotomy has been called off. Based on his most recent scan, doctors believe there is a safer way to attack and beat the cancer.
In lieu of the surgery, Hess will now go through six weeks of radiation treatment followed by immunotherapy. Of course, this will once again be followed by more scans to determine what the next steps, if any, will be.
“Be unbreakable. You are stronger than you realize and even stronger when we work together and support one another.”
– David Hess’ advice to those struggling
Truth through experience, but words that ring true through it all. David Hess has shown that one person’s trials can share positivity with others. Even when at a low point, with faith in God and a strong support system, we can achieve more than ever imagined.
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