Diagnosis and Impact on Family's Dream Trip
The family of six-year-old Sienna, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour that caused her blindness shortly after receiving tickets to Walt Disney World, is striving to preserve her dream vacation amid soaring insurance costs.
Sienna was thrilled to receive tickets for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Florida from Santa at Christmas.
However, on 9 February, a routine eye appointment revealed swelling on her optic nerve. A brain scan that same evening confirmed the presence of a tumour.
The tumour is inoperable, and Sienna has commenced an 18-month chemotherapy regimen. Unfortunately, the tumour has resulted in the loss of her eyesight.
As the family coped with the distressing diagnosis, they also learned that Sienna's travel insurance would be invalidated due to her medical condition. Finding appropriate coverage now costs over £5,000.
"I just couldn't believe it, she'd been so excited and I just couldn't do it to her,"said Sienna's mother, Emma Louise Lloyd, 37, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
The planned four-week trip to Florida is scheduled for the end of October. Originally, travel insurance for the five family members cost £232, but Sienna's individual coverage now amounts to £5,083. To assist with expenses, a fundraiser has been initiated.
The itinerary includes numerous activities such as meeting princesses and feeding dolphins.
"It was the last surprise, we had all the children, all of her cousins sat here... it was just magical, they were all screaming they were,"Emma recalled about Christmas Day.
"They were just all bouncing around so happy."
Medical Journey and Treatment
Five weeks after the Christmas surprise, Emma noticed Sienna holding her tablet unusually close to her face, prompting a routine eye appointment.
The examination revealed swelling behind Sienna's eyes, leading Emma to fear the worst.
Subsequent CT scans at Prince Charles Hospital confirmed the presence of a brain tumour.
Sienna was transported by ambulance to Noah's Ark Children's Hospital in Cardiff for urgent treatment, which included the insertion of an emergency shunt and a major brain operation. She was then placed in intensive care.
"We didn't come home for about three weeks,"Emma said.
Doctors informed the family that the tumour was inoperable, and Sienna has since started an 18-month chemotherapy course.
Her diagnosis is a grade 1 glioma, a slow-growing low-grade brain tumour.
Symptoms vary depending on tumour location and may include headaches, seizures, and cognitive changes. However, Sienna's family noted that worsening eyesight was the only symptom she exhibited.
The glioma caused Sienna's vision loss, though her family remains hopeful she may regain some sight over time.
"I'm still processing it now, it's been a crazy few weeks she had the surgery quite quick, biopsy, she started her chemo,"Emma shared.
Insurance Challenges and Fundraising Efforts
Sienna's aunt, Jessica Gill, identified the insurance complication. GreatCover insurance informed the family that Sienna's travel insurance was void due to her diagnosis, although cancellation coverage remained valid.
Jessica located a specialist insurance policy to enable the trip, but the cost was prohibitively high for the family given the existing expenses.
GreatCover has been contacted for comment.
The fundraiser has raised £3,800 to help Sienna realize her once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Any remaining funds will be donated to Noah's Ark Children's Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, which offers free accommodation to families of children receiving treatment at the hospital.
Sienna's Resilience
Throughout these challenges, Sienna has remained cheerful and courageous.
"She's been unbelievable,"Emma said, turning to her daughter sitting beside her on the sofa and adding,
"You're my little star, aren't you."
