Born December 27, 2000, Korbin seemed to have problems during his first few months of life.  In June 2001, he received a physical at the insistence of his grandmother Vickie, because she felt his growth was stunted compared to his brother and cousins.  The cursory examination at that time did not detect anything.  His parents could not afford more extensive tests at that time as his mother was a housewife and his father was enlisted in the Air Force.

Korbin and his brother Sam spent Thanksgiving 2001 with their grandfather Burrell and their great grandparents.  The boys had a great time and no problems were noticed with Korbin.  Shortly after transferring to to their Woodward grandparents on Thanksgiving, grandmother Lisa noticed the left side of his face was paralyzed.  His parents took Korbin to the base medical center where he was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy and sent home. The paralysis worsened.  His parents took him to the local non-military hospital.  A CAT scan was performed which showed a growth at the base of brain, pinching the spinal column.  Within 24 hours he was transferred to Le Bonheur in Memphis Tennessee for MRI scans and surgery the following week.  Surgery was successfully performed with the initial diagnosis as medullablastoma.  After recovery, Korbin was transferred to St. Jude's Research Hospital.

Chemotherapy was begun.  The final biopsy results came back: ATRT (atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor).  Following his birthday, an MRI was performed.  The original growth had returned.  In addition there was now a new growth in an inoperable location and a "spray" of cancerous cells down his spine.  Chemotherapy was continued.  Korbin "crashed" twice during this time.  The day after the mid January Federal holiday, a new MRI was performed a week earlier than planned.  Results showed no change for the better or worse.

In mid February Korbin developed two infections resulting from his tracheotomy: pseuomonius and stenotrophomonus maltofilia.  Neither responded to treatment.  He was then placed in isolation with no visitors having bronchial infections.  All visitors were required to wear disposable gowns, gloves and masks.  A new MRI was performed Tuesday, February 19, as he began to go into hypothermic shock.  The results: no change in the cancers, there was nothing more the doctors could do.  All who could and would, gathered that Friday morning scattered throughout the corridors, waiting rooms and his room, having said our good-byes as best we were able.  Shortly after 10:30 his ventilator was disconnected, and by 11:00 am, he was gone.

At 10:00 a.m. the following Tuesday, funeral services were held at the W. E. Pegues Jefferson Street Chapel in Tupelo, Mississippi.  Burial followed at the Oak Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery east of Tupelo.  

Korbin Caillou will be missed.