Standing besides Madeline though the unthinkable,

Recently, Madeline went in for what was supposed to be a routine follow-up eye exam. During the visit, doctors noticed something concerning and immediately sent her to the emergency room. Once there, her parents were pulled aside and told devastating news — Madeline had a brain tumor as large as golf ball.Because the tumor was blocking the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, dangerous pressure was building in her brain. Within the hour, doctors rushed her into emergency surgery to place a shunt and relieve the pressure. At that point, her family could only hope and pray that the tumor would be benign. However, doctors explained they wouldn’t know the type until after the tumor was removed.

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025 — four days after arriving at the hospital — Madeline underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor. After the operation, her family received the news no parent ever wants to hear: the tumor was a more aggressive type and confirmed to be Stage 4 Medulloblastoma.

Madeline will begin both radiation and chemotherapy soon. The exact timeline of her treatment is still uncertain, but her family is focused on giving her every chance to fight and recover. Because radiation and chemotherapy can affect fertility, doctors will also remove and preserve one of her ovaries in hopes that one day she can have the opportunity to start a family of her own.

Those who know Madeline know she is a beautiful, caring, and kind soul — always ready to help others and bring joy to those around her. She has been a fighter since day one, she was diagnosed with Turner’s Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting females in which one X chromosome is missing or partially missing.

Madeline and her family are deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support they’ve already received, and they hope that the community will continue to stand with them during this difficult journey.