Braedyn Patrick Galea 12th April 2004 – 15th February 2025
Braedyn had just started his apprenticeship in carpentry at age 16. In December 2020, Braedyn came home one afternoon a little worried. “Mum, every time I go to pick up my tools, they just slip out of my hand”. I checked Braedyn’s strength in his left hand compared to his right hand and I could not feel him squeezing with his left hand. Left hand was weak, no grip strength. A few months prior to this, Braedyn had a very sore elbow. We made an appointment straight away. Wrist was scanned (not his doctor), came back nothing. We then saw his doctor Marco, who requested a scan further up. That afternoon Thursday 14th January 2021 Braedyn was called back straight away late afternoon.
January 14th 2021 – MRI revealed a growth/tumour on the cervical spine.
January 15th 2021 – Braedyn was seen at the Royal Brisbane Hospital for further MRI & Discussion with Neurosurgeon. That same day Braedyn was put on high dose of steroids in preparation for an operation.
January 25th 2021 – Braedyn underwent surgery, laminectomy and debulking of intramedullary tumour. Could not be removed due to location & meshed in with nerves. Histology has shown an intramedullary cervical spine tumour: Diffuse midline glioma, K27M mutant; WHO grade IV.
Our hearts were broken into a million pieces. Braedyn was in ICU for 2 days then transferred to a ward. One-week later Braedyn came home. Braedyn had lost his strength and ability to walk by himself but with assistance from his family, within 6 – 8 weeks Braedyn was up walking by himself. Braedyn has a very powerful mind, and his strength and determination is what kept his mind and body strong.
February 13th – Temozolomide commenced
February 24th – Radiation of 6 weeks to commence
Braedyn so strong, completed his apprenticeship and became a qualified carpenter. During this time Braedyn endured so much yet this never changed who he was. A happy, funny, kindhearted soul who was just a pure joy to be around, well loved by so many.
Braedyn completed:
– 1,216 days of chemotherapy
– 133 blood tests
– 470 hospital visits
– 30 days of radiation
Sadly, for Braedyn things started to change July 2024, where Braedyn’s mobility became weak, he could no longer work or drive due to weakness on his left side. December 2024 Braedyn was using a wheelchair as his body no longer had the strength to keep himself upright. Braedyn remained the same beautiful person he was and to look at him he looked like Braedyn. On our Christmas holiday 2024, strangers asked out of kindness was all ok as they assumed he had an injury of some kind, then when we shared why he was in a wheelchair their hearts sank.
Braedyn passed away peacefully, surrounded by family – 15th February 2025
Our hearts, Braedyn’s family will never be whole again, shattered into a million pieces that will never fully repair. Braedyn was the eldest brother to Ethyn, Zahli and Kobi. Their bond will never be broken. Zahli and Kobi still kiss his photo goodnight each evening, Braedyn’s room remains untouched, and his GQ Ute which he restored is well cared for by Ethyn.
Braedyn lives on every second of every day by us, his family by all the memories and in the stories shared every day. Braedyn is a beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend and a beautiful soul who will never be forgotten. Everywhere you look, you will see Braedyn in our home, I feel his presence, it brings us calm. Cancer is cruel. It steals time, all the moments that life gives you, your independence and future dreams. The only thing that is left behind is the memories that were made, shared and the love which grows stronger every day.
Braedyn had an amazing oncologist Dr Po at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Every step of the way Po was there. Braedyn had such a special bond with Po as she too has children around the same age. Treatment went for the whole 4 years, with a change from tablet form to intravenous/immunology. A new treatment, tablet form from overseas did start. Unfortunately, it did not work and there was not a lot of research into it. All the nurses from oncology were so wonderful during treatment, they cared so much for Braedyn. Braedyn was well supported by the team at the Royal Brisbane Hospital.
We had a zoom meeting with Dr Ziegler and we even spoke with Dr Charlie Teo to be hopeful for Braedyn to start in a clinical trial but to do that they needed more samples. Operation was too risky. Stopping all meds 6 weeks prior to having another open surgery to take more samples, affected his body within weeks so it was safer to stay on chemotherapy.
Many other support services were offered to us through the hospital; however, we chose to work through it all together within our family, circle of friends and of course Braedyn’s oncologist. We knew of cancer but never knew of the type Braedyn had until it was put in front of us. Now I read and learn even more about this cruel disease and see how many young children are taken from this life because we still have no cure.
This journey we have been through and will always be going through, there is just way too many words and thoughts that can be put down on paper or shared into words. I talk within myself daily to work it all out, to get through each day, to keep every memory of Braedyn alive, to flick all the sad, heartbreaking thoughts to replace with happy memories, there is just so much, always. Strength and love for Braedyn pulls us through.
Everyone’s journey will be different as our minds are all different in the way we think and thoughts on what is best. A battle of the mind, but if we learn how to use it in a powerful way and learn how to flick out the sadness to replace with a more positive outlook to outweigh the pain then it can make life a little lighter and bring in more love and connection to our loved one who was taken from us, taken from themselves.
Since losing Braedyn I read so much more about what took his life and now can see how many families are affected and how many young lives are taken. I will never understand why we were put here on earth to then have a higher power choose such a cruel disease to take the lives of such beautiful humans. Why? Why has there been no change in finding a cure out of all the millions raised, why? How do we keep fighting when it feels likes it’s an endless battle to find a medicine to save our children. Such a cruel fight for them, a fight they should not have to fight. Research, they have all the research, I just hope one day soon they can find a cure, it is just too heartbreaking for so many.
Thank you for sharing Braedyn and hoping raising awareness and understanding will one day find a cure to save these beautiful souls. My heart is with everyone who has sadly been taken from our lives and for those who a part of the same journey, I wish for positive healing.
Braedyn’s mum – Jenn
