Brave Blue Mountains teen Sienna Barbara fights brain cancer with her ‘sassy’ sense of humour

“I have to think of something funny as my last words, in case I lose speech”: A teen battling brain cancer has turned to humour as her family faces a house-deposit sized bill for treatment.

Sienna Barbara. Picture: Supplied.

You would think a brain cancer diagnosis would water down your sense of humour – but this brave young girl is laughing in the face of it.

Blue Mountains teen Sienna, 17, may be battling the horrendous disease, but said of the prospect of losing her speech: “I have to think of something funny as my last words before undergoing surgery.”

As she was getting sleepy, she called the neurosurgeon over and said “my sister thinks you’re really hot”.

Everyone in the operating theatre burst into laughter, Siennas mum Julia Grieg told this publication.

Despite the diagnosis she remains funny and “sassy”.

Sienna was diagnosed with an IDH1 mutation astrocytoma, a type of glioma brain tumour which is mostly low grade being stage 1 or 2 – however, she has a small portion which is classified as a high-grade 3.

Sienna’s brain cancer battle has been hard for the family.

A fundraiser has been created for Sienna after being diagnosed with the rare type of brain cancer for her age and having surgery in January to remove a tumour.

“She’s almost 18, but not really,” Julia said.

“She’s still our baby, but she’s also incredibly independent and self-advocating. I’ve only seen her cry five times through all of this.”

Julia organised the GoFundMe after being told by the medical company the bills would roughly cost the price of a house.

“I mean we talked about every pathway, we talked to a real estate agent to sell the house. We’ll live in a tent if we have to,” Julia said.

Sienna Barbara with family.

“People think it’s covered by Medicare, but specialist appointments, spine MRI’s, hospital travel costs … it all adds up, plus the cost of the medication.”

The family has been told for Sienna to take a new medication, they will need to raise $100,000 over the next two years, with an estimated cost of $27,000 every six months.

Prior to the discovery and despite the size of the tumour, Sienna showed no symptoms. Sienna’s condition worsened just before Christmas when she had her first seizure, after doctors believed her “dizzy” spells may have just been a case of low iron.

After being rushed to hospital, the tumour was pushing her brain 9mm to the side, yet her brain adapted to create new pathways around it.

The new drug, Vorasidenib, could slow the tumour’s growth and delay the need for harsh treatments like radiation, chemotherapy and repeat surgeries all of which could affect her long-term health.

Julia said the Blue Mountains community has rallied around Sienna and despite her battle, she has big dreams. She wants to be a paramedic.

“She’s gotta live, she has such a beautiful personality … she can be anything she wants including a sassy teenager,” Julia said.

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Originally published as Brave Blue Mountains teen Sienna Barbara fights brain cancer with her ‘sassy’ sense of humour