Meet Brystal – Sarcoma Warrior
“The National Children’s Cancer Society was able to assist my family and bring peace of mind with the donation we qualified for. This gave me a bit of time to rearrange my finances to make ends meet while away from home and work. Thank you for supporting us and the many other families that have had to take this unexpected journey and fight for our children's lives!”
Brystal’s Journey
Brystal’s world was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with undifferential high-grade sarcoma of her left femur a month before her 11th birthday. After experiencing ongoing leg, knee, and hip pain, her mom sought answers at their closest hospital – a whopping eight hours from the family’s home. Doctors performed a series of scans and biopsies, which ultimately confirmed the terrifying diagnosis. Living in Alaska’s remote and serene landscapes, Brystal and her mom, Darlene, were far removed from the specialized medical care she desperately needed. They were forced to travel for specialized care nearly two thousand miles to Seattle for lifesaving treatment.
For six long months, Brystal and her mom faced the unimaginable—battling cancer far from the comfort of their home, separated from family, friends, and the life they knew. The journey was filled with challenges. Midway through her treatment, Brystal suffered a severe toxicity infection that nearly claimed her life and delayed her treatment. As treatment continued, her doctors felt the best course of action for survival was to amputate her leg.
Brystal, the youngest of six siblings, showed incredible resilience and bravery throughout her ordeal. While her older siblings had already moved out, she and her mother formed an unbreakable bond as they navigated this new reality together. Darlene’s source of income was paramount to keeping them afloat, but once her daughter was diagnosed, she had to put her career on hold to focus on her daughter’s care. As the months dragged on and her FMLA benefits ran out, she faced the additional stress of mounting bills and the impending worry of keeping their home warm in the harsh Alaskan winters.
Finally, after six grueling months, they returned home to Alaska, ready to embrace a new normal. Brystal was overjoyed to return home, especially when she could return to school and her life. She quickly adjusted to life with a prosthetic, playing at local playgrounds with her friends and having the freedom to get up and go wherever she wanted. Her school rallied around her, providing all the support she needed to thrive in the classroom despite her challenges.
Her mother describes her as a kindred spirit, full of strength and determination. Brystal’s courage in the face of such adversity is nothing short of inspiring. While her mom acknowledges that some days are harder than others mentally, she takes comfort in knowing they are not alone.
How We Helped
The National Children’s Cancer Society provided the support they needed to navigate this difficult journey. The organization provided financial support through the Transportation Assistance Fund to help with getting Brystal to treatment. The Emergency Assistance Fund helped provide fuel for their stove. Darlene took great comfort in our publication for parents, The Other Side of the Mountain: A Parent’s Guide to Surviving Childhood Cancer. Brystal received our activity book, I Can Move Mountains, to learn about her diagnosis and treatment and provide a creative outlet.
Darlene shares, “National Children’s Cancer Society was able to assist my family and bring peace of mind with the donation we qualified for. This gave me a bit of time to rearrange my finances to make ends meet while away from home and work. Thank you for supporting us and the many other families that have had to take this unexpected journey and fight for our children’s lives!”
Brystal’s story is about survival, resilience, and the power of a mother’s love. She’s endured and overcome so many challenges at such a young age. Her mom shares, “Her strength to live and survive is amazing!”
