Sydney
This is the story of Sydney:
Sydney Armstrong’s cancer journey began just a week after her 7th birthday. What started as “bad headaches and barfing daily for weeks” soon turned into something far more serious. Her mother, Jean, recalls the moment when Sydney’s strength finally gave out: “She was slowly getting weaker and weaker until one afternoon she just collapsed.” That’s when they knew something was terribly wrong.
The diagnosis came quickly: Medulloblastoma, a rare and aggressive brain cancer. The tumor was the size of a tennis ball, lodged in her brain. Jean describes how the gravity of the situation hit their family: “A lot went through our minds. The size of the mass was life-threatening, so the first focus was on the brain surgery to remove the tumor.”
There was no time to process it all mentally or emotionally. As Jean remembers, “We weren’t given a lot of time to prepare. They found the tumor, and the next day we were flown out to Salt Lake City, UT, for brain surgery.” The surgery, however, was just the beginning. Complications arose afterward, and Sydney remained in Utah for months, not returning home until mid-July.
Sydney’s treatment didn’t end there. She underwent “head-to-pelvic radiation for 6 weeks” followed by a year of chemotherapy. But even when the treatments ended, her journey wasn’t over. The damage done by the surgery, chemo, and radiation required Sydney to essentially relearn everything. “She had to relearn how to use her whole body, from talking to walking. She is still in speech therapy (ST), occupational therapy (OT), and physical therapy (PT),” Jean shared, underscoring just how long-lasting the impact of treatment can be.
“Overall, it was exhausting and hard,” said Jean, as she reflected on their time in treatment. The physical toll was immense, but the emotional weight was just as heavy. “I had to relearn everything,” Sydney explained, making the road to recovery long and full of hurdles.
During this time, Sydney found comfort in small things—therapies, playing with her new baby sister, and plenty of TV and naps. There were moments of brightness amidst the darkness, and Sydney’s family leaned on each other to get through.
Candlelighters also became a part of their lives during Sydney’s battle. Though she doesn’t recall the exact moment she was introduced to them, she remembers making a necklace as one of her first memories with the organization. Now, she’s an active part of their Teen Scene events, where she finds comfort in being with others who have shared similar experiences. “Being around other kids who have had similar experiences and are not afraid of throw-up,” shared Jean, all things which help Sydney feel understood and less alone.
Her favorite thing about Candlelighters? “Birthday gift cards and Teen Scene,” Sydney says, cherishing those simple yet impactful gestures of care and support.
After her treatment ended, Sydney and her family finally got to focus on something joyful: their Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World. Sydney’s dream was to meet Cinderella, and after everything she had been through, it was the perfect way to celebrate her victory.
Looking back on her journey, Sydney and her family have a few words of wisdom for others going through similar struggles: “You can do the hard things, and this too shall pass… Oh! And never go anywhere without a blue bag.”
