Home / Health / Mom's Vacation Observation Saves Daughter's Life
Mom's Vacation Observation Saves Daughter's Life
14 Dec, 2025
Summary
- A mother noticed her daughter's eye drifting upward during vacation.
- This observation led to a prompt diagnosis of a brainstem tumor.
- The child successfully completed proton radiation therapy treatment.
A vacation trip took a critical turn when a mother's keen observation of her daughter's eye movement led to a life-saving diagnosis. Nicole Schonlau noticed her 5-year-old, Aiyla, exhibiting an upward drifting of her right eye while on holiday in San Francisco. Trusting her instincts, Schonlau pursued medical attention, leading to an urgent care visit and a subsequent referral to a children's hospital.
At the hospital, imaging revealed a rare astroblastoma MN1 fusion tumor in Aiyla's brainstem. Due to the tumor's location, it was deemed inoperable, necessitating immediate treatment. The family then traveled back to Colorado to continue Aiyla's medical journey. She subsequently underwent proton radiation therapy in Philadelphia.
Recently, Aiyla completed her radiation treatment and rang the bell to signify the end of this phase. Her mother reports she is doing well and retains her "sparkle." The family awaits further MRI results to assess the tumor's status, expressing hope for positive outcomes and gratitude for the prompt intervention that likely saved their daughter's life.
