**Community Rallies Around Two-Year-Old After Brain Tumour Diagnosis**
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The Brewster family from Pocatello, Idaho, has faced a heart-wrenching journey following the unexpected diagnosis of their youngest daughter, Bristal, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumour. The family recounts a series of events that transformed their lives and prompted the local community to come together in support during this challenging time.
On April 2, Brianna and Bailey Brewster noticed that their lively two-year-old, Bristal, was limping. Initially, they assumed she had injured herself during her dance class. However, after taking her to the hospital for an X-ray over the Easter weekend only to find no apparent injury, they attempted to put their worries aside and enjoy the holiday.
Brianna described Bristal as a “bubbly” child with a vibrant personality. “She loves people, she’s always smiling, and she’s a little spitfire,” said Brianna. However, her joyful disposition began to change, with Bristal withdrawing and her physical condition deteriorating. She struggled to use her left arm and would often fall while attempting to walk. After noticing a concerning twitch in her eye, the Brewsters made the decision to return to the hospital.
It was during this second visit that doctors performed an MRI scan, which ultimately revealed devastating news: Bristal had a sizeable tumour on the side of her brain. Reflecting on the moment she received the news, Brianna shared, “It was really hard to process. It was really scary. I mean, she’s two years old and she has this growth that they say is the size of a plum. It was heartbreaking.”
Just 45 minutes after the diagnosis, Bristal was airlifted to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. There, surgeons successfully operated on her, removing the tumour in a procedure that lasted four hours instead of the expected six. However, the news that followed was equally troubling: the tumour was cancerous, and Bristal was diagnosed with ependymoma, a type of brain cancer that primarily affects young children.
Following the surgery, the Brewster family returned home just four days later, but their journey was far from over. Bristal now faces an extensive treatment plan that includes six weeks of radiation therapy. Due to her age, she will require general anaesthesia for each of the five weekly sessions, a process that Brianna acknowledges will be particularly taxing on her daughter.
In addition to the emotional strain, travel logistics have posed another challenge for the family, as the hospital in Salt Lake City is approximately two and a half hours from their home. Brianna and Bailey are striving to maintain a sense of normalcy for their eldest daughter, Becklyn, while accommodating Bristal’s treatment schedule. “We’re trying to arrange some sort of middle ground that allows us to all be together a few days out of the week,” Brianna explained.
While two-year-old Bristal remains largely unaware of the full extent of her condition, her elder sister Becklyn, who is five, has expressed concern about her sibling’s condition. Brianna commented on how Becklyn reacted to the visible scars from Bristal’s surgery, noting that they have been doing their best to explain the situation to her. Despite the circumstances, the family managed to celebrate both of their daughters’ birthdays with a small gathering, ensuring that love and joy were still present amid the challenges.
As the family navigated their new reality, Brianna took the brave step of sharing Bristal’s diagnosis with friends and the community via a Facebook post, which sparked an overwhelming response. The locals banded together to organise fundraising efforts, including a cornhole tournament named “Bags for Bristal” scheduled for May 16 at a local school gym. The community has been eager to contribute towards the medical costs and the family’s travel expenses.
Brianna expressed her gratitude towards the community’s support, stating, “It’s been absolutely unimaginable how the community has helped and come together. It’s truly amazing to see how much everybody has cared, even people we don’t know. It’s just very overwhelming, but we’re so grateful.”
The Brewster family is now focused on Bristal’s continued recovery and progress. Brianna shared that her daughter has been doing well during physical therapy and is enjoying home life with her sister. “She loves being able to play, and it’s just been nice to be in our own environment for a little bit before we head back,” she said.
The Brewsters are determined to cherish every moment together as they navigate this turbulent journey, buoyed by the love and support of their community. Each day presents new challenges, but they remain hopeful for Bristal’s recovery and the brighter days that lie ahead.