Tragic Death of 10-Year-Old Girl After Eye Strain Symptoms Revealed Brain Cancer
A 10-year-old girl from North Yorkshire has tragically died after symptoms initially attributed to eye strain from using her tablet were later diagnosed as a deadly brain tumour. Myla Lilly Broadey-Meears passed away in January this year following a six-month battle with an aggressive diffuse midline glioma.
Initial Symptoms and Misdiagnosis
Myla began experiencing headaches, dizziness, and loss of balance during a family holiday to Primrose Valley in Filey, North Yorkshire, in August last year. Her mother, Chantelle Broadey, 29, initially thought her daughter might be suffering from eye strain due to playing games on her iPad and possibly needed glasses.
"We thought it could be dehydration too," Chantelle explained. "Another symptom was that her face had started to droop on one side, especially when she smiled. We thought she just had a new smile and didn't think much to it but looking back at photos we can now see clearly."
The family took Myla to doctors who advised monitoring her symptoms. Looking back, Chantelle expressed parental guilt, wondering if more could have been done earlier.
Devastating Diagnosis and Treatment
After the holiday, Myla was taken for an eye test at Specsavers where opticians immediately spotted concerning signs. They provided a sealed letter for the family to take directly to Accident and Emergency without opening it.
A CT scan at Grimsby Hospital revealed a massive 7-10cm brain tumour. Myla was immediately blue-lighted to Sheffield Children's Hospital where she underwent surgery to remove 60 percent of the tumour just three days later.
"We were hopeful because at that point we didn't know the size of the tumour," Chantelle recalled. "Which we were later told was between 7-10cm."
Life-Changing Surgery and Radiotherapy
The surgery left Myla with left-side weakness, transforming the previously active child who "couldn't sit still for two minutes" into someone who was largely bed-bound. "From that surgery, she didn't come out the same," her mother said. "We've been grieving her since then really."
Myla then underwent 30 rounds of intensive radiotherapy at Leeds Hospital. The treatment period coincided with the birth of her brother Tommy, born the day before Myla was transferred to Leeds, leaving Chantelle juggling care for her newborn and seriously ill daughter.
Family Tribute and Awareness Campaign
Myla passed away on January 15, just four days after her tenth birthday. Her family described her as an incredibly brave and beautiful girl who loved Ella Henderson's music, cheerleading, camping, beach trips, and mother-daughter shopping excursions.
Her father, Zak Meears, 30, paid tribute: "She never deserved what she got, no child does. She was the most amazing, funniest, beautiful daughter I could ever wish for, and such a loving big sister to her young brothers. Her name and smile will never be forgotten, forever in our hearts."
Chantelle has established a Facebook page called "Together for Myla" to support other families facing similar situations and raise awareness of brain tumour symptoms in children. She is also organizing Myla's Twilight Walk on March 20 at 6pm to raise funds for The Brain Tumour Charity, coinciding with Brain Tumour Awareness Month.
Warning Signs Parents Should Know
The family hopes their tragedy will help other parents recognize potential brain tumour symptoms:
- Persistent headaches that don't respond to usual treatments
- Unexplained dizziness or loss of balance
- Facial drooping, especially when smiling
- Personality changes or reduced interest in usual activities
- Vision problems or light sensitivity
"These children need to start being given hope and more research needs to be done," Chantelle emphasized. "The more awareness we can make, could maybe make a slight difference and I hope in this lifetime there is a cure, just wish it was available for our precious girl."
The family continues to honour Myla's memory while advocating for increased research and awareness about childhood brain tumours, hoping their painful experience might help save other children's lives in the future.
