Cheyanne Brant’s journey with DMG began in December 2016 with a simple pair of eyeglasses. The sudden onset of strabismus in one eye led the bright, spunky first grader to the ophthalmologist. A common occurrence in kids, she was prescribed a pair of eyeglasses and sent home. Two weeks later, she began experiencing severe headaches, fatigue, and balance disturbances. After she was unable to walk to the nurse’s office at school without assistance, her parents knew something was wrong. Knowing how active she was, they assumed she had fallen or injured herself doing flips. Just two days later though, she had deteriorated to the point of being unable to stand. Within 5 minutes of rushing her to the doctor, they were sent to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY for a CT scan of her brain. Hoping there was still an innocuous explanation for her troubling symptoms, her family comforted her with promises of a fun dinner outing as they awaited the scan results. The scan results came, but that dinner never did…

 

     A team of physicians flooded into the room and delivered the devastating news: a tumor in her brainstem. Even without a biopsy, they were nearly certain it was DMG. Upon hearing the prognosis, her mother Jodi went into fight mode. “No. You’re wrong. I’d like a second opinion.” They honored her request and obtained a biopsy, but the results were conclusive; it was DMG. Cheyanne immediately underwent six weeks (30 rounds) of radiation and remained in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for 76 days. Despite the radiation and high dose steroids, her tumor continued to grow, and she developed numerous complications including hydrocephalus (an accumulation of fluid in the brain), respiratory distress, and persistent nausea which necessitated an NG tube. 

 

     She was finally discharged from the hospital after two and a half months, but her ordeal wasn’t over. She missed out on her “Make-A-Wish” trip because she was too unwell to travel. She remained at home and received Avastin chemotherapy on an outpatient basis, but the inevitable came on June 22, 2017. Surrounded by her loving family, Cheyanne passed away in her father’s arms. 

 

     Cheyanne cherished her family and had a unique bond with each of them. She adored her older sister Haley and looked forward to spending time with her every Thursday after school. They were inseparable and enjoyed countless visits to the park, mall, and Build-A-Bear Workshop. At night, she could be found with her older brother Devon who always read her good night books. Playing waitress with mommy and going grocery shopping with daddy were just a couple of the activities she loved. Her two best friends, Hunter and Makala never went a day without sharing giggles, notes, and hugs. At school, her teachers knew her as the smart, energetic little girl whose smile lit up the room. 

 

     Life for the Brant family has never been the same since her passing. Christmas time is difficult to celebrate as it reminds them of when she was diagnosed. Reminders of unmet milestones are ever-present too. No first days of school, no high school or college graduations, no first kiss, no first boyfriend, or first child. She deserved to grow up. She deserved better than DMG.