From tumor survivor to cancer warrior: Brooklynne’s fight continues
- Trinity Gruenberg
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
by Trinity Gruenberg
When Brooklynne Thorson, 18, first began experiencing headaches and vision problems at just 11 years old, no one could have imagined the devastating diagnosis that awaited her—a brain tumor.
Now, six and a half years later, just days after graduating from high school, Brooklynne finds herself in the fight of her life once again—this time, against brain cancer.
Six and a half years ago, Brooklynne started complaining of headaches and vision issues. A routine trip to the eye doctor quickly turned into parent’s Holly and Richard’s worst nightmare. They were sent to the emergency room to consult with an ophthalmologist for what was initially thought to be an inflamed optic nerve. Their daughter, who had just been flipping through the air at gymnastics, was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Within days, surgeons operated to remove a baseball-sized tumor from the left side of her brain. Pathology revealed it was a Grade 2 Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), a rare benign tumor that accounts for only 1% of pediatric brain tumors. This type of tumor carries a 20% chance of recurrence and the risk of progressing to a Grade 3 tumor if it returns.
Brooklynne quickly became well-known on the pediatric floor, with nurses affectionately calling her “The Girl Who Was Vaulting Blind.”
She informed the doctors that she couldn’t see the vaulting table with her right eye, but she trusted it was there and went for it anyway. She kept this secret from her coaches and parents, fearing they wouldn’t let her compete if they knew.
Her passion for gymnastics was so strong that she defied all expectations and returned to the mat—under restrictions—to compete again that season....
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