AT 14, HE FACED A 16-HOUR BRAIN SURGERY — NOW HE’S BACK AT SCHOOL AND PLAYING SAXOPHONE AGAIN

When Arturo Sotelo was told he needed brain surgery, his first question was not about the risks or the recovery. He wanted to know when he could play his saxophone again.

The 14-year-old student from Washington state had been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour that was growing rapidly and threatening his vision. After a complex operation at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Arturo has returned to school and marching band, with his family celebrating a recovery they once feared might be much harder.

Headaches Led to a Terrifying Discovery

Arturo began experiencing headaches and nausea in late May 2025. At first, the symptoms were difficult to explain. His family sought medical attention as his condition worsened, but early tests did not reveal the cause.

On June 2, while his family was arriving at the hospital, Arturo suffered a seizure. Doctors investigated further and discovered a tumour accompanied by a cyst roughly the size of an egg or golf ball.

He was diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a rare tumour that develops near the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. Although these tumours are often slow-growing, Arturo’s began increasing in size at an alarming rate.

The Tumour Grew Faster Than Expected

After an initial procedure to remove part of the tumour, doctors planned to monitor Arturo and consider further treatment later. But follow-up scans revealed that the mass had doubled in size by September and doubled again by October.

The growing tumour was pressing on his optic nerves, causing worsening headaches and nausea. His medical team warned that time was becoming critical, and his family sought advanced treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Doctors discussed the available options with Arturo and his parents, including radiation and surgery. After weighing the risks and potential benefits, they decided to pursue a minimally invasive operation intended to remove the entire tumour.

A 14-to-16-Hour Operation

Arturo was admitted to the hospital on November 24, 2025. The operation lasted approximately 14 to 16 hours and required close coordination between neurosurgeons and other specialists.

Rather than making a traditional incision in his head, the surgical team used an endoscope and specialised instruments inserted through his nostrils. Guided by detailed MRI and CT scans, the doctors carefully separated the tumour from critical structures near the brain.

The procedure was highly complex. The team also repaired the skull base after removing the tumour, aiming to avoid the additional risks associated with a conventional open operation.

For Arturo’s parents, watching their son undergo such a lengthy procedure was overwhelming. They relied on the medical team’s explanations and regular updates while waiting for news about his condition.

Recovery Required Patience and Determination

Arturo was discharged on December 8, 2025, to continue recovering at home. The transition was challenging for the family, particularly because his mother also underwent surgery on the same day.

Even so, Arturo remained focused on returning to his usual life. He went back to school for half days in mid-January 2026 and was able to attend full days by March.

His classmates, teachers, friends and wider community helped him through the difficult period. They sent cards, posters and care packages, while messages of encouragement reminded the family that they were not facing the ordeal alone.

Back in the Band, With No Signs of the Tumour

By October 2026, Arturo was back in full swing during marching band season. His family reported that follow-up scans showed no signs of the tumour and no evidence that it had returned.

The doctors were encouraged by his progress. Because the tumour had been completely removed, the team was hopeful that he could avoid radiation and its possible long-term side effects.

The operation did require removal of Arturo’s pituitary gland, so he will need lifelong medication to replace hormones and support functions normally controlled by the gland. He will also continue to receive periodic scans and specialist follow-up appointments.

A Teenager Looking Toward the Future

Arturo’s recovery is still a journey, but he has regained many of the everyday activities that matter to him. School, music and time with friends are once again part of his routine.

His family hopes that sharing his experience will encourage other patients facing frightening diagnoses. Their message is not that every medical journey will have the same outcome, but that expert care, careful decision-making and support from loved ones can make an enormous difference.

When Arturo first learned he needed brain surgery, he was already thinking about the saxophone he loved. Now, after a difficult year and a demanding operation, he is back doing what he enjoys—one more hopeful step toward the future he wants to build.

Source: PEOPLE, October 8, 2026.