Clontarf four-year-old Calib Granger dying of brain cancer

A boy who loves polar bears and superheroes could have just weeks to live as cancer takes a heartbreaking grip on his little body. His parents are determined to make lasting final memories.

Doctors say Calib Granger only has months left. Picture – contributed.

A young family has been left heartbroken after learning their bright and bubbly four-year-old boy has just months left to live.

Calib Granger was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago after a three-hour MRI revealed a deadly chordoma tumour on his brain.

Despite surgery to remove it and 39 rounds of radiation already – the cancer is now terminal.

Mother Brooke Spillman said doctors told her Calib was the only one in the country with such an aggressive and rare cancer on his brain and spine.

She said doctors delivered the news no parent wanted to hear at the beginning of March.

“We knew it was terminal but we thought we had a year or longer and he was doing well after the radiation and surgery,” Ms Spillman, 29, said.

“But now it’s back.

“Doctors said he only had a matter of weeks or months to live.”

Doctors say Calib Granger only has months left. Picture – contributed.

The chordoma cancer is back with a tumour on his brain, one on his lungs, one near his heart, and one at the top of his spine and base of his skull.

“How do you tell a four-year-old he’s going to die ... you just can’t,” Ms Spillman said.

“It was shattering to hear. I broke down on the floor and there’s been lots of crying since.

“He knows he’s sick but that’s about the extent of it.”

Ms Spillman said his older sister Harmoniie, 7, accidentally told him the cancer would kill him a few weeks ago.

“He didn’t understand and was a mess ... we quickly fixed it and reassured him he wasn’t going anywhere and was here to stay with mummy and daddy forever,” she said.

“Losing a child is something I never thought we’d have to go through.

“It’s just a conversation we can’t have with him. It would ruin the rest of his time here with us.”

Calib Granger in hospital. Picture – contributed.

The family was hopeful for his survival and kept him protected for his health during 2022.

“For the past year, we’ve kept him in a bubble and played it so safe. But now we’re trying to make as many memories as possible,” Ms Spillman said.

“He loves superheroes and polar bears the most.

“Through the Make a Wish (Australia) foundation he’s going to Supernova to meet his heroes and the other week we took him to SeaWorld to see his first polar bear.

“He loved it so much I’ve never seen him so excited.

“He’s been telling all of his nurses, his polar bear teddies and anyone who will listen about it.

“We’re also going to take him to Dreamworld to meet Batman.”

Through tears, Ms Spillman said Calib was the clown of their family – always making everyone smile.

“He’s very loud and outgoing ... a bright and beautiful little boy,” she said.

“Very laid-back and bubbly. Always smiling, laughing, talking, playing and having fun.

“The cancer hasn’t stopped him from being his usual happy self.

“His best friend is an 11-month-old German Sheppard puppy we got for him last year. She was being trained to be his assistance and support dog.

“She sleeps in his bed with him every night and follows him everywhere, it’s amazing.

“When he’s not feeling well, she’s giving him extra cuddles; you can tell she knows.”

Calib Granger and his puppy Toa. Picture – supplied.

Calib is still undergoing chemotherapy and radiation but it is just to keep him comfortable until the cancer kills him.

Ms Spillman said eventually the tumour on his brain would get too large and the fluid would have nowhere to go.

“This will then put him to sleep and stop him from breathing,” she said.

“The doctors said it would be quick and pain free. I suppose that’s about the only positive thing we have to hold onto now.

“Joseph (her partner and Calib’s dad) and I are always checking on him to make sure he’s still breathing. It’s just always on our minds.

“I don’t know what we’re going to do without him.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been started to raise money to keep Calib comfortable during his final week weeks or months, and to help him make memories with his family.