'Life will never ever be the same for us again': Pontefract mum's heart 'shattered' after daughter, 4, given just months to live
A devastated mum has been told her four-year-old daughter has just 12 to 18 months to live following a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.
Thea-Mae Bryan from Pontefract was a healthy happy little girl until suffering a seizure on May 31 this year.
Unresponsive, she was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital.
Mum, Bethany Taylor, said: “After an hour and doctors swarming Thea-Mae they finally controlled the seizure and told us they suspected meningitis and didn’t know what effects the seizure had on her brain.
Thea-Mae was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary with doctors believing it could be an infection on the brain – or a tumour.
“My heart shattered into a million pieces,” Bethany said.
An MRI scan followed and Bethany and Thea-Mae’s dad, Alex, were given the devastating news – it was a brain tumour.
“Our worst fears came to life. Knowing an innocent three-year-old girl who had so much life ahead of her now had this to battle.
"Our hearts and minds weren’t the same after that. As a parent you never believe this is reality.”
Shortly afterwards, Thea-Mae lost complete movement down her right side.
"Back in hospital, I stood beside my little girl, sobbing and begging for her to be ok.
"I was thinking this must all be a sick nightmare – no way was this happening to our baby.”
A CT scan revealed the tumour had doubled in size and on July 15 a biopsy was taken.
It was then the earth-shattering news was given – it was aggressive cancer.
"I felt like my soul had left my body,” Bethany said.
“The first time I laid eyes on my baby after waiting nine long hours, my heart longed to touch her but it didn’t look like my child. My beautiful little three-year-old in such pain.
"My heart has never healed from that day.”
Finally, after a unimaginable week, Thea-Mae was allowed home before radiotherapy began on July 30.
She also celebrated her fourth birthday.
"We tried our hardest to make the most of what could possibly be the last birthday we would have with her,” Bethany said.
Thea-Mae finally finished radiotherapy on September 10.
"We were finally told that her brain tumour is paediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma stage 4 (PDHGG), a very rare and aggressive cancer that has given her 12 to 18 months.
"The only thing to possibly slow it down is more radiotherapy, which will happen in March 2026 due to having to give her little body a break.
"After that, there is nothing else the NHS can give us to help prolong our little girl’s life. With little hope we still have faith and pray for a miracle for our child.”
Bethany added: “Thea-Mae has had so much resistance in her always smiling, laughing and trying to be herself.
"She is a beautiful, bubbly whirlwind with such a loving, kind heart. She is very polite and very affectionate to the people she loves the most.
"She loves cuddles with me, her daddy and sister - seven-year-old Aya. She loves Iggle Piggle and Bluey and is obsessed with Toy Story, Frozen.
“I love to see my girls getting excited when they’re together and how they snuggle when they’re tired.
"All the big and small achievements they make in life, the way they wrap their arms around me, makes everything disappear and perfect again.
"When the days are tough, their little faces keep me strong, knowing that they will always love me.”
A GofundMe page has been set up to help keep Thea-Mae smiling with some of her wishes.
"Thea-Mae really wants a dog – a chocolate labrador to be called Woof. She’d love to go to Disneyland Paris and CBeebies Land to see all of her favourite characters.
"Other things the fundraiser will go towards is any treatments we can try and find which may give Thea-Mae more life.”
Another MRI was taken earlier this week, the results of which Bethany and Alex will receive on December 12.
"It’s a living nightmare. We’re always sat on the edge of our seat, not knowing what could or will happen next.
"My heart carries so much grief right now, unable to accept what events are to come.”
Bethany said Thea-Mae's biopsy has also been sent for research.
"I know there isn’t anything anyone can do to save her life, but I pray that one day research may help with the diagnosis and prognosis of another child and ease the pain of their parents so they don’t have to experience the intense heartache we endure every day.
"Cancer has ruined my life and my children’s lives. Life will never ever be the same for us again.”
To donate to Thea-Mae’s GofundMe page, click here.