Amara’s fight against brain cancer

Hi, my name is Jessica. This fundraiser is for my niece, Amara. Amara is a happy-go-lucky 9-year-old girl. She is the oldest sister of two younger siblings, Malaya (7) and Myles (4). Amara is the best big sister to her siblings. She helps them with homework and even cooks pancakes in the morning for the whole family. She loves her dog Tank, all things skincare, Stitch, and most importantly, her family.

A little over a week ago, the school called saying that Amara was throwing up at school. This was an ongoing event for the past several months. Amara would get nauseous and begin vomiting seemingly out of nowhere. Her parents took her to the doctor several times with no real answers. This time was different. Luckily, a teacher's aide noticed something off. He said it looked possibly like a seizure. Amara's parents got her into the ER and explained everything to the doctor. Just to be sure, he ordered a CT scan. That’s when Amara's life and everyone close to her life changed. She was diagnosed with a cerebellar mass. A cherry tomato-sized tumor was growing at the base of her brain, near her spine in the cerebellum. It was absolutely shocking and heartbreaking. Everything moved very quickly from that point. It was Friday, and Amara was scheduled for brain surgery on Sunday. Amara was cheerful, but little did she know she was battling what most likely is brain cancer. Right now, it’s labeled as a cerebral mass due to no pathology results back yet. Surgery went well, but she developed a post-operative condition called posterior fossa syndrome, in which she is unable to communicate as effectively as before. Her motor skills are also affected. This is temporary, likely a few months. This has been difficult because Amara is not the same little girl she was just over a week ago. Amara must now face learning to talk, walk, and use the bathroom—everyday things that we take for granted. At 9 years old, she’s facing the hardest battle of her life alongside her family, who is also struggling to cope with not knowing if she will ever be the same little girl again.

At this point, the plan of treatment is still uncertain due to waiting for the pathology of the tumor. She will most likely undergo radiation treatment which may end up being proton therapy down in San Diego. Tuesday we will be transferring down to a pediatric hospital for rehab where she will be receiving physical therapy, speech and occupational therapy for 3 hours everyday until we are able to get Amara back home safely radiation will not start for another 3 weeks due to needing to heal from her craniotomy.

Amara has a long road ahead; it is going to be emotionally, physically, and financially difficult. Please help us support Amara on her journey.

We will be updating with any important information regarding Amara’s care.

UPDATE 3-24-25

Several doctors came by all at once this morning, but essentially the oncologist on today had said preliminary pathology came back and hers is a type of embryonal tumor (meaning she’s had it since embryo) it’s malignant cancer although it’s not genetic typically. And it’s one of the more curable and treatable tumors.

Again, we don’t have the final diagnosis yet but the route will most likely be radiation and chemotherapy. They have the tumor board meeting tomorrow as well to discuss her case.

With that being said, the oncologist is saying proton radiation is the national standard for kids under 10 due to less complications with hearing and cognitive issues. So they’re highly wanting to go forward with proton therapy which is in San Diego. They’re gonna arrange accommodations and plan with the case workers down there. But radiation will at least be 6 weeks plus however long for chemotherapy depending on the treatment plan.

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