At just 15 years old, Summer’s life changed in ways no teenager should ever have to face. For over a year, subtle warning signs appeared, but they were repeatedly missed or misdiagnosed. It wasn’t until a second MRI that the devastating truth was revealed: Summer had a Germinoma Brain Tumour. The delay in diagnosis had consequences, leaving her severely visually impaired.

Her mother, Jodie, recalls the journey with a mixture of sorrow and resilience. “Following an MRI, I was told my daughter had cancer. Fifteen months earlier, I took her for an MRI—but due to the scanner being on the wrong setting, the tumour was missed. As a result, Summer is now severely visually impaired,” she says. Those fifteen months were filled with worry and frustration. Jodie noticed a series of troubling symptoms: persistent headaches, excessive thirst, constant tiredness, nausea, confusion, and blurred vision. Summer appeared smaller than her peers and had not yet started her menstrual cycle. Concerned, Jodie repeatedly raised these issues with medical professionals, but the original MRI was interpreted as clear.

During that time, Summer was wrongly diagnosed with migraines and even an eating disorder. “Of course, I put my faith in the medical professionals, unbeknownst to me they were dreadfully wrong,” Jodie admits. The realisation of the misdiagnosis was crushing, especially given the impact on Summer’s health and development. It was only when Summer lost her sight that a second MRI was performed, finally revealing the tumour. “Thank God for Great Ormond Street Hospital,” Jodie says, acknowledging the expert care that changed the course of her daughter’s treatment.

Summer’s treatment journey was intense and demanding. She underwent four cycles of chemotherapy, which attacked the cancer cells but also took a toll on her young body. In addition, she received five weeks of daily proton beam therapy, a precise form of radiation treatment aimed at targeting the tumour while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Countless blood and platelet transfusions became a regular part of her life, and long hospital stays meant she had to spend significant time away from home and her family.

Jodie, meanwhile, had to balance the immense emotional and physical demands of caring for Summer with looking after her two-year-old daughter, Gracie. The pressure was immense. Every day brought new challenges—coordinating hospital visits, managing treatment schedules, comforting Summer during painful procedures, and ensuring that Gracie felt loved and cared for despite the chaos. Yet, through the trials and exhaustion, the family endured. “It was extremely challenging, but we made it,” Jodie recalls.

Today, Summer is over two years in remission. Her journey has been one of resilience, determination, and adaptability. Despite the physical challenges, particularly her severe visual impairment, Summer continues to amaze her family with her strength. She has adapted to her circumstances with incredible courage and refuses to let her diagnosis define who she is. Her determination to live a full life, pursue her interests, and maintain her independence is a source of inspiration to everyone around her.

“She has adapted so well and strives for her journey not to define her. As a whole, our family are immensely proud of her…!!” Jodie says. Summer’s experience has shaped the family in profound ways, fostering resilience, empathy, and a renewed appreciation for life. They have learned to navigate the complexities of medical care, the emotional ups and downs, and the long path toward recovery with grace and determination.

Jodie also emphasizes the importance of advocacy and persistence in medical care. “We now leave no stone unturned and always ask for second opinions on absolutely everything,” she says. The family’s experience has highlighted the critical need for careful, thorough medical assessment, and the importance of trusting one’s instincts as a parent. Their vigilance, paired with expert medical care, ultimately helped Summer receive the treatment she needed and reach remission.