You try and stay above water, then another wave comes and wipes you out again

When 14mo Isla was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer, the Melbourne family was turned upside down. Then came another shocking blow. 

When Kirsty first took her 14-month-old daughter, Isla, to the hospital, she initially thought she had hip dysplasia or an ear infection.

Following endless prodding, prying and testing, the family were devastated to learn the little Melbourne toddler had brain stem cancer.

Now, five years later, the family has been dealt another blow; mum Kirsty has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

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Isla was diagnosed with brain cancer at 14 months old. Picture: Facebook

Mum diagnosed with cancer after 6yo’s cancer diagnosis

Over the last five years, Isla has undergone numerous surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy, all in the hopes of treating the child’s cancer. 

“Isla is a really special little girl, and she’s loved by so many,” her mum Kirsty told 7News. 

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Isla’s cancer, which is a “very difficult one to get rid of”, has taken over the little girl's short life, requiring the family to travel to the US for specialised treatments in proton therapy. 

But now further surgeries are no longer an option, things are getting more difficult for the Melbourne girl. 

“We rely on chemo trials and lots of things to keep her going,” Kirsty said. 

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Isla was going through a break in her cancer treatment when Kirsty started feeling a little bit off. 

Putting off seeing the doctor for a while, as she focussed on her daughter’s recovery, Kirsty was met with a shocking blow in September 2023. 

“I didn’t think it was anything serious,” she said. 

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After a few biopsies and testing, it was revealed the mum-of-three had breast cancer.

It was a devasting revelation that knocked the wind out of the family, who were still in pieces following Isla’s diagnosis. 

“You’re trying to stay above water, and then a wave comes across and wipes you out again,” said Kirsty. 

Following the cancer diagnosis, Kirsty immediately began chemotherapy and has since undergone 12 rounds of treatment in an effort to beat it. 

The Melbourne woman has also undergone a double mastectomy and will continue treating the cancer with further rounds of radiation.

In March, only a few months after Kirsty’s diagnosis, doctors told her Isla's brain cancer was starting to grow back. 

The 6yo  will soon undergo her third round of chemotherapy to fight the cancer.

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Isla has undergone numerous rounds of treatment. Picture: 7News

“Isla is a really special little girl, and she’s loved by so many”

On Saturday 15 June, Seaford Soccer Club in Melbourne hosted a fun run in Isla’s honour, raising funds to support the family as they continue their enormous fight. 

Despite all the heartache and endless treatment Isla goes through, she always manages to see the brighter things in life. 

“She sees a rainbow in the sky, and she’ll go,’ ‘Look mum, there’s a rainbow. Can I go and touch it?’” her mum recalled. 

“And Saturday’s going to be her rainbow; it’s going to be a special day” 

The event included a fun run, a sausage sizzle, entertainment and games for the kids to play.  “All my friends are going to be there,” Isla told reporters. 

A silent auction also took place on Saturday afternoon, with several high-ticket items, including a plethora of signed jerseys from AFL players across the country. 

Originally published as You try and stay above water, then another wave comes and wipes you out again