All together: Madison, Natalie, Brayden, Bryan and Cooper.
Camera IconAll together: Madison, Natalie, Brayden, Bryan and Cooper. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Madison’s future looks brighter after brain tumour

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

That day, February 12, 2014, was the beginning of a horrendous journey for Madison and her family as it was the first indication that the 11-year-old had a brain tumour.

Parents Natalie and Bryan Molloy said Madison was diagnosed with a grade 4 Glioblastma.

“After she said she didn’t feel well, she went all strange then fitted,” Natalie said.

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“We rushed her to hospital where she was put in an induced coma.”

Madison returned home but she kept having headaches and one day while swimming, she began vomiting.

Returning to hospital, a biopsy was done and that is when the tumour was discovered.

“We just sat there dumbfounded and we cried all the way home,” Bryan said.

Madison first had a golf ball-sized tumour removed and underwent chemo and radiation therapy.

However, the tumour grew back and she was sent to Sydney where prominent neurosurgeon Charlie Teo performed another operation.

“He removed an avocado-sized tumour but not all could be removed due to the high risk of nerve damage,” Natalie said.

More than a year later, Madison is doing as well as can be expected.

“It’s small steps; we want her to fight this. We want her to beat this and be an 11-year-old girl,” Natalie said.

“She can walk, she can run, and she is back at dance, she definitely has improved.

“Sometimes though she can’t see it.”

The family said it had been hard but were sincerely grateful and touched by family, friends and the community that had rallied around them to help Madison.

“It is hard, but you have to deal with it; you don’t have a choice,” Bryan said.

“But we are trying to keep her life normal. She does dance and I go to work like normal.

“Work – Fortesque Metals Group – have been fantastic, very understanding.

“We just really would like to thank all of our family and friends for their support.

“We wouldn’t have been able to do this without them.

“It’s been a hell of an emotional ride.”

Natalie and Bryan said her brothers, Cooper (9) and Brayden (14) had been supportive of their sister.

For more information, visit Madi’s Miracle on Facebook.