Tears of Heartache: Ebony Butters Diagnosed with an Aggressive Form of Cancer
Key Highlights :
The family of a young Grimsby girl are coming to terms with the devastating news that a “lazy eye” turned out to be an aggressive form of cancer. Ebony Butters, 6, was initially thought to have an eye problem, but soon developed double vision and started losing her balance. After tests diagnosed the cancer, she was given just six to nine months to live.
Ebony’s aunt, Nina Auty, says the family have been living in a “nightmare” since the diagnosis, but are determined to create memories with Ebony in the time she has left. Nina has set up a fundraising appeal to give the little girl some days out and a special last family holiday together to Disneyland Paris.
Nina said: “Everything started a couple of months ago when we thought she just had eye problems. At first, we thought she had a drifting eye so we went to the opticians, but they said she had perfect vision. They spoke about giving her a patch, but the issue continued and she began to have double vision.
“Things got worse and her behaviour started to be affected and she started losing her balance. She was not herself and we knew something was wrong.”
After seeing no signs of improvement, Ebony was taken to Diana Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby for blood tests.
“Within a week, her balance got worse and she was very sleepy, which was really out of character. They gave her a CT scan which confirmed something wasn't right,” said Nina.
An MRI scan followed, which discovered a growth on the brain. Ebony was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, a form of tumour that is very difficult to treat.
Now, Ebony is spending time in hospital, receiving treatments that it is hoped will prolong her life. Nina said: “She really doesn't enjoy it in there and is now going to Leeds to design a mask for her therapy, which will hopefully help her more.”
Nina said the family were struggling to come to terms with what had happened. “It was a complete shock when they told us. It hit us all for six, she's a little ray of sunshine and it's so hard.
“There are so many mixed emotions between us all. We're such a close-knit family and are all sticking together as much as we can really.”
Ebony loves maths, spending time with her friends and bubblegum ice cream, and the family are now trying to make the most of the time they have left together.
Nina said: “Life has changed so much recently, we're just trying to keep it together for her. I don't want her to see us upset, but it's so hard keeping it together when you're with her.
“I honestly don't know how my sister and Ebony's dad are coping. It's like we are living a nightmare to be honest.”
To help make the most of the time they have left, Nina has set up a Go Fund Me page, with the hope of paying for days out and a holiday, and her school friends at Welholme Academy are organising a fun day, as well as writing Ebony a card.
The family are hoping to create as many special memories with Ebony as possible, and are so grateful for the support they have received from the community.
Nina said: “We’re so thankful for all the support we’ve received so far. It’s been overwhelming and we just can’t believe how kind people have been. We’re so grateful for all the donations and kind words we’ve received.”
Ebony’s story has touched the hearts of many, and her family are hoping to raise as much money as possible to give her some time to make memories with her family.
To donate to the Go Fund Me, click here.
