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Chelsea’s story
Written by very special mum, Danni
April 30, 2025
Before Chelsea was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, she was a happy, bubbly child full of energy.
She loved spending time with family and friends and had a passion for watching the Essendon Football Club.
Chelsea was the life of the party — a natural joker who loved making everyone laugh.
In 2017, at the age of six, Chelsea’s life changed dramatically when she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma.
It all began with occasional headaches and vomiting, which caused her to stay home from school. At first, we were told by her GP it might be migraines, but her condition worsened, and the symptoms became more frequent. One night, I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I took her to Bacchus Marsh Hospital, where they quickly did blood tests and an MRI scan.
On our way home from the hospital, we received a call from our GP, instructing us to go straight to the children’s hospital for additional blood work and another MRI scan.
Our world was shattered. The doctors came in and delivered the devastating news: Chelsea had an aggressive brain tumour the size of a golf ball.
I had to call my parents and Chelsea’s father, who was at work at the time, to break the news. They rushed to the hospital, but our hearts were broken into a million pieces.
The treatment journey
That night, Chelsea had urgent surgery to remove her tumour. Once healed, she underwent six weeks of intense radiotherapy at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
Over the course of her treatment, we could see how much it was taking a toll on her body. After each bath, the water would turn dark, stained with the toxins released from the radiotherapy.
After radiotherapy, Chelsea had surgery to place a port for chemotherapy and to preserve her eggs for future use. Her chemotherapy was aggressive, and she spent a lot of time in the hospital because her blood counts would drop.
A few months after her chemotherapy ended, Chelsea relapsed. Her brain and spine were now covered in a thick layer of tumour cells, resembling mashed potatoes.
I’ll never forget when the oncologists recommended we stop all treatments and let her live out her life. Thankfully, we pursued more clinical trial options and were able to spend more precious years with our Chelsea.
A few years after Chelsea’s initial diagnosis we were introduced to Very Special Kids, and since then, their support has been a lifeline for both me and my boys.
Our family support practitioner has been an angel, offering emotional and practical support through our darkest times. We couldn’t have managed without their help, whether it was through day outings, hospice stays or just the comfort of knowing we weren’t alone.
The final stages
Chelsea’s condition seemed to stabilise for a time, and she returned to school. However, her health began to decline again. She started to experience confusion, forgetting who people were and struggling to express herself. We took her to the emergency department, where tests revealed the worst.
On the 9th of November 2021, we were told her condition had deteriorated, and she was now in palliative care. The doctors informed us that her time was limited, and our hearts shattered once more.
Chelsea was unaware of the gravity of the situation. She thought she was just going to school the next day when she could speak again. But soon after, she could no longer communicate at all. Her body deteriorated quickly, and it became clear that her time was running out.
In those final days, I had the privilege of holding her in my arms. I remember picking her up, feeling the strength of her heart as she clung on, even though she could no longer speak.
A single tear rolled down her face, and I knew in that moment that I was grateful I could be there for her.
Chelsea’s dog, who was incredibly close to her, wouldn’t leave her side. If anyone tried to move him, he would growl in protection.
I held Chelsea in my arms as she passed away on the couch on the 21st of November. Though it was the hardest moment of my life, I’m thankful she was with me in those final moments.
Honouring Chelsea’s memory
The final days with Chelsea were both heartbreaking and special. I will always be grateful that Very Special Kids was by our side. Many people came to visit, and we shared memories, took photos, and created family hand moulds that we now cherish. We had to be strong in front of her, but we were able to hold onto those precious moments.
We now honour Chelsea at her resting place, surrounded by her favourite things.
One of the things that always connects us to Chelsea is butterflies. At school, she had coloured in a butterfly, and from that day forward, butterflies became a symbol of her.
After she passed, Chelsea’s school had each class colour a butterfly with a message, and they were displayed around the classrooms in her memory. Since then, butterflies have appeared near us often, and when one flies by, we always say, “Hello, Chelsea. We love you.”
Very Special Kids continues to support our family, from weekends away at their relaxing holiday accommodation to events where we can meet other families and even photos with Santa. We are forever grateful for their ongoing help.
They have been a vital part of our journey, and we could not thank them enough for everything they’ve done for us and for the boys.
