The mother of a young boy who tragically passed away less than a year after being diagnosed with a fatal illness has shared her experience of the early signs that indicated something was amiss.
Brody Huber was only 13 when he started exhibiting unusual behavior that was out of character for him.
Known for his adventurous spirit and resilience, Brody was affectionately called the family’s ‘golden boy’.
However, in June 2020, his health took an unexpected turn.
Tina Porter, Brody’s mother, recounted how, during the Covid-19 lockdown, Brody experienced a significant growth spurt. Initially, his complaints of pain were attributed to this growth.
But when Brody’s behavior changed significantly, it prompted a visit to the doctor.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Tina explained that Brody “never once complained” about feeling ill or being in pain. However, as a planned trip in June approached, she noticed he was unwell.
The once active teen began slowing down, opting to nap instead of going biking with his older brother before his trip.
“He was just this bill of health,” Tina recalled. “I just had this weird feeling.”
During the camping trip, Brody decided to return home early due to a persistent headache.
Although a headache is common, its persistence was unusual for Brody, who typically wouldn’t end a trip for minor discomfort.
To ensure all possibilities were explored, Tina and her husband Jeff Huber requested an MRI scan of Brody’s brain from doctors.
To their shock, the MRI revealed the presence of a rare and aggressive cancerous brain tumor.
Doctors advised Tina to take Brody to the Children’s Hospital Colorado in Aurora. As they prepared to leave home, Brody needed assistance, marking a pivotal moment for Tina in realizing the seriousness of the situation.
The MRI showed ‘a pretty significant tumor’ wrapped around Brody’s thalamus, an area of the brain responsible for controlling motor functions.
Two days later, a biopsy tragically confirmed that the tumor was a Diffuse midline glioma, a highly aggressive brain tumor prevalent in children.
According to the American Brain Tumor Association, those diagnosed with an inoperable DGM typically have a life expectancy of less than a year, with 99 percent succumbing within five years.
For Brody, doctors estimated he had six to nine months left.
The family pursued every available treatment, including six weeks of radiation, meditation, acupuncture, massage, and Reiki. Brody was also accepted into a clinical trial at the Vitanza Lab at Seattle Children’s Hospital, which involved administering medication directly to his brain via an Ommaya reservoir.
Although the trial had previously doubled the lifespan of children with DMG, Brody’s subsequent brain scan revealed that his cancer had metastasized, making him ineligible to continue.
Tragically, just a month later, one week before the trial was set to start, Brody passed away in March 2021.
Upon learning about the cancer’s progression, Brody expressed to Tina: “I really thought I had it, Mom.”
In honor of his memory, Brody’s family established the Brody Huber Foundation to raise funds for the Vitanza Lab at Seattle Children’s Hospital, helping more children access these trials and treatments.
To date, they have raised $85,000 for the research at the Vitanza Lab and aim to contribute an additional $50,000 by November 21, 2025, which would have marked Brody’s 19th birthday.
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