LDL. Alabama Twins Face Rare Disorder and Aggressive Cancer, Family Hopes for Miracles
Opp, Alabama — Their story is heartbreaking, yet their courage is undeniable. Misty Hartzog is sharing the journey of her six-year-old identical twins, Axl and Corbyn Hartzog, who are both fighting life-altering medical challenges.
The twins, who love the outdoors, cows, fishing, and seafood, are battling Telomere Biological Disorder (TBD), a rare condition that causes the body’s cells to age prematurely. Misty explains, “Right now our twins’ cells are the equivalent of an 85-year-old.”
While Corbyn’s condition is currently stable, he undergoes testing every three months at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to monitor his TBD.
Axl, however, faces an even more severe challenge. He is battling a grade 4 Glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with poor survival rates. Misty notes that Axl’s brain tumor appears unrelated to his TBD diagnosis.
Axl recently completed six weeks of proton radiation at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and has been participating in a clinical trial in Cincinnati for the past three weeks. He also takes a daily chemotherapy pill as part of the trial, with Aveanna Hospice assisting with care at home. The family travels twice a month to Cincinnati for monitoring.
Despite these immense challenges, the Hartzogs remain hopeful. Misty and her husband Jeremy cherish every day, supporting their twins’ love for outdoor adventures and dreams of a childhood filled with laughter, cows, and fishing trips.
“Our hope is that Axl and Corbyn have many more years to enjoy the things they love,” Misty said. “Every day matters, and we are grateful for the support of everyone rooting for them.”
The Hartzog family continues to rely on community support, prayers, and advances in medical research as they navigate this incredibly difficult journey.
