Two-year-old Stella Bruner Methven is living her last few weeks.
This past June, Stella visited doctors with her parents, Aimee and Michi, when they suspected she may have an ear infection due to a balance issue. After tests at Sick Kids Hospital, she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor (brainstem glioma) and was given three months to live.
That is about all there is to this story – medically.
But emotionally, it’s a never ending story. A tough one too.
This past Saturday, family members, friends and interested members of the public filled the Beaches Rec Centre to participate in a fund-raiser to support Stella’s family organized by a group of Aimee’s co-workers.
Stella wasn’t there. She had became quite ill and had stayed home with Michi.
“It’s amazing, it’s wonderful. The outpouring of people’s concern, empathy, and helping out anyway they can. It’s truly amazing,” said Noel Methven, Stella’s grandfather.
Methven explained how the past three months have been a tough journey for the parents and the rest of the family. But they have been doing all they can to show Stella a great time, including a fun visit to Sesame Place in Pennsylvania, and countless cottage outings.
Stella’s mom Michi has been writing about this journey on a blog. While people were at Beaches Rec Centre for the fundraiser, Michi wrote:
“Weeks from now my daughter will be gone forever. No more smelling her head as she sleeps contentedly on my lap. No more blowing raspberries on her tummy as I change her diaper. No more absentmindedly playing with her curls as she eats her dinner. No more admonishing her to share toys with friends. No more mischievous smiles. No more singing our special tooth-brushing song. No more whispering her name to Aimee as we lay in bed chatting about the day and dreaming of the future.”
Methven has been amazed by how his daughter has been keeping a written record of their journey.
“It’s the toughest thing I ever wanted to see, or could imagine my daughter going through,” he said.
To read more, please visit http://www.stellabrunermethven.com (make sure to keep a box of tissues next to you).
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