World ‘fell apart’ with diagnosis
BRONWYN and Jade Maguire’s world ‘‘fell apart’’ in late 2021 when they received the news their son Bryn, then 22 months, had a rare, cancerous brain tumour.
Bryn had been diagnosed with an atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumour, an extremely rare and aggressive cancer of the central nervous system.
The couple first noticed something was wrong when he started to become unsteady on his feet.
The active toddler was becoming reluctant to run or climb and his limbs started to shake.
After two GP visits they were referred to a paediatrician but were told an appointment could be up to three weeks away.
‘‘We knew Bryn didn’t have two weeks,’’ Mrs Maguire said.
Over the next 24 hours Bryn stopped walking completely. He was given an MRI.
The doctor delivered the devastating news that Bryn had a tumour in the centre of his brain. ‘‘Our whole world fell apart.’’ Bryn had two brain surgeries over the next two days. He then completed two rounds of induction chemotherapy, and three highintensity stem cell returns after a transfer to Christchurch Hospital.
The family qualified for funding for proton therapy in Atlanta in the United States, where Bryn received treatment over the next seven weeks.
‘‘We packed that first overnight bag to travel to Auckland on January 12, 2022, and 251 days later Bryn finally got to return to his home.’’
While the staff and treatment in the US were worldclass, the family missed New Zealand.
They were counting down the days until they could return to Ronald McDonald House in Christchurch where they received firstrate support through their traumatic journey.
‘‘Every staff member is 100% perfect for the job they are in.
‘‘Having lived there for so long the staff became like family.
‘‘They have been there for us through many tough moments,’’ Mrs Maguire said.
While there had been no evidence of the tumour returning since treatment in the US, Bryn still needed to have threemonthly MRIs in Christchurch.
The family appreciated the continued support from the place Bryn calls ‘‘old McDonald house’’.
They are hoping people will support the Ronald McDonald House to House challenge in which New Zealanders are encouraged to run, walk, bike or swim 210km during March .