S9:E145 Interview with Amelia Fish

<p>In this episode of *The Childhood Cancer Perspective*, host Curtis Vallier sits down with Amelia Fish to share the story of her daughter, Abby, and their family’s experience with **Choroid Plexus Carcinoma (CPC)**—an exceptionally rare and aggressive pediatric brain cancer.</p><p><br></p><p>Amelia takes us back to the beginning of Abby’s journey, from the first signs that something wasn’t right to the discovery of a brain tumor and the surgery that followed. She discusses what doctors learned about Abby’s tumor, the role genetic findings played in understanding her disease, and the difficult conversations surrounding prognosis and treatment options.</p><p><br></p><p>The conversation explores the realities families face when treating an extremely rare childhood cancer. Amelia shares the complications Abby experienced during treatment and hospitalization, the side effects and limitations of conventional therapies, and the decisions that led their family to investigate additional holistic and alternative approaches while continuing to search for hope.</p><p><br></p><p>Curtis and Amelia also discuss the importance of parental advocacy. When treatment options are limited, parents can quickly find themselves researching their child’s disease, seeking additional medical opinions, asking difficult questions, and trying to understand complicated medical and genetic information while simultaneously caring for a seriously ill child.</p><p><br></p><p>Amelia speaks candidly about the emotional and financial toll pediatric cancer places on an entire family. Their conversation touches on faith, uncertainty, caregiver exhaustion, medical expenses, and the challenge of making decisions when there may be no clear or proven path forward.</p><p><br></p><p>At the center of the episode is **Abby**—not simply a diagnosis or a rare cancer case, but a daughter whose life profoundly shaped the people around her.</p><p><br></p><p>Amelia reflects on what Abby taught their family about love, faith, hope, and being present. Her message to other parents is simple but powerful: **cherish every day with your children.**</p><p><br></p><p>### Key Takeaways</p><p><br></p><p>Rare childhood cancers like Choroid Plexus Carcinoma can leave families navigating limited research, difficult treatment decisions, and tremendous uncertainty. Abby’s story demonstrates why continued pediatric cancer research matters—and why families need physicians, researchers, advocates, and communities willing to l