Braelyn's Brave Fight

Braelyn’s Brave Fight ⚕️

“Little one…

You are brave in a way that I have no words for

I try to be strong for you, to hold on to everything good

But, you show me what true strength is… what it is to see the positive in every day

No matter the storm surrounding you

You are teaching me how to be strong, how to always have hope and trust the path

I love you, little one”

As a parent, there is nothing that can prepare you for welcoming a child into the world. Equally incredible and intimidating, my journey to motherhood has brought the greatest joy(s) to my life without question. From navigating through the nights of no sleep to seeing the initial ultrasound of your unborn child to witnessing their first glimpse of life, nothing is truly comparable. God has granted my heart the opportunity to reserve room for my four greatest successes: Braelyn, Elijah, Déjour, and Ni’Riyah. Having the honor and privilege of being their mother is the reason why I am standing today. At the tender age(s) of 7, 5, 3, and 4 months, they have provided my life with purpose and separately have taught me how to be strong in ways that I have never known.

Braelyn, the eldest of my four heartbeats, is facing a fight that no child should have to struggle with: the fight to see another tomorrow. Over the past three months, I have seen my smiling seven-year-old struggle to do the simplest of tasks such as walking. September saw Braelyn experience a loss of feeling in her limbs and physicians stated this may stem from musculoskeletal problems. October saw a diagnosis of scoliosis and a probable deep tissue injury. With my active, animated girl setting her sights on a future Gold medal, in the 2028 Summer Olympics, we believed that perhaps a pulled muscle was the source of the severe pain. Yet, a feeling from the pit of my stomach surfaced. I knew, as a mother and as a nurse, that I needed to dive deeper into my exploration.

I had this exact feeling when I first laid my eyes upon her, a persistent panic that lingered in my heart and my mind. A dreadful dream of which I could not protect her from nor provide a cure for.

On (Monday) December 5, 2022, that unsettling dream turned into an unthinkable nightmare.

Thanks to a mother’s intuition and a number of pleas to the team at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, an MRI was performed and while observing her spinal canal, a large mass was located. On (Wednesday) December 7, a laminectomy was to be scheduled. This was postponed until (Friday) December 9 as physicians have said there may be a chance of fragments from the mass spreading outside of her spinal canal. With this being said, surgeons have yet to specify the type of cancer that appears to be the catalyst behind the significantly sized tumor. This will not be determined until Pathology reviews the results of the laminectomy. Through all of the procedures and prodding, my benevolent second-grade student who loves makeup and music has never lost sight of the radiant smile that goes from ear to ear. We, her family and friends, want to see that smile stay permanently placed.

This GoFundMe account was created with the intention of providing Braelyn with the best medical treatment the UPMC Health System can offer, and to help prepare for what is forthcoming. In the coming days and weeks, there will be innumerable doctor visits, hospital sleepovers, and surgeries. In the current climate of our economy, the typical cost of everyday living (e.g., gas, groceries, rent, etc.) has immensely increased. The medical cost(s) are certain to multiply, and we (my immediate family and I) are looking to offset this by picking up additional hours at work, with the goal of providing Braelyn with everything she needs to survive and thrive.

We are uncertain of what lies ahead, but we humbly and kindly ask that you share this link (gofundme.com/braelynsbravefight) with family and friends via email and via social media (#BraelynsBraveFight). We will provide regular updates, on her progress, via this page.

From the bottom of our family’s heart, we thank you for your support and may you and your families have a blessed holiday season.

With gratitude,

Nautica Bennett and Family