Influencer Jennifer Burnham has spoken publicly about the brain tumor that led to the death of her four-year-old son, Baxter.
The content creator, from California, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a heartfelt video as she spoke directly to camera.
In a video recorded inside her car, Burnham began by thanking followers for the messages and support they had sent to her family.
“I wanted to come on here and talk about what happened to our son because I know there are a lot of questions, and I didn’t answer that in my original post,” she said.
The mother, who also has a one-year-old son, Barron, with her husband Bryce, said the past week and a half had been overwhelming and difficult to process.
Burnham described Baxter as a healthy, cheerful four-year-old who attended school, played T-ball, took karate and had many friends. “He was just the happiest little guy,” she said.
“He couldn’t have been happier or healthier, and I think that is why this was so shocking,” Burnham continued. “But in April he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. This was not even in my wheelhouse as something that could happen.”
She said the first noticeable sign was Baxter beginning to “cross his left eye.”
Influencer Jennifer Burnham has revealed that her four-year-old son Baxter died after being diagnosed with a brain tumor
The couple took Baxter to doctors and arranged surgery. Before the procedure, he was required to undergo an MRI scan.
“When we did the MRI, they told us that they found a brain tumor,” Burnham said, visibly emotional.
Baxter was later diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare and aggressive cancerous tumor affecting the brain and spinal cord.
Burnham said the diagnosis was regarded as one of the most serious forms of brain tumor. “It’s inoperable, meaning it’s incurable,” she explained.
Three days later, Baxter underwent surgery to remove part of the tumor before beginning targeted radiation treatment.
Burnham and her husband also urgently explored additional options, including red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen and oxygen baths.
The family traveled to Europe twice in search of treatments they had learned about abroad.
Burnham said they consulted every expert they could find in the United States, but none of the efforts was successful.
Burnham said Baxter’s sudden brain tumor diagnosis was especially shocking because he had been a healthy and happy child
“It’s so difficult to watch your child going through something like this and feel completely helpless. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare,” she said.
“We’ve been living in this nightmare for six months, and it’s the most difficult thing we’ve ever gone through.”
Burnham added that she and her husband had pursued every possible avenue for their child, as any parent would, in the hope of finding a treatment and a way forward.
‘He was so strong and such a fighter and literally fought until the very last day.’
She emotionally continued: ‘I’m so proud of him because no child should ever go through this. No parent should ever go through this. I hate that our family is going through this.’
Burnham said she was sharing the experience in case it reaches other parents who are going through similar situations, adding: ‘I want to be that person that can help another family.
‘No person should go through this alone and we fought so hard and we did everything.
‘I know in my heart that he is in a much better place right now because no child should be suffering like that. I know he’s in Heaven.’
She concluded by admitting her ‘heart is broken,’ sharing: ‘I’m not sure how to continue living every day because it is so hard to fathom my life without him because he was such a big full part of it.’
Burnham added the caption: ‘I know a lot of you have questions on what happened to our son so I’m answering everything here. Hoping I can help anyone going through a similar situation.’
Baxter was eventually diagnosed with a diffuse midline glioma – a rare, aggressive cancerous brain and spinal cord tumor
Earlier this week, the mom had shared a heartbreaking compilation video featuring clips of son Baxter from over the years
Earlier this week, the mom had shared a heartbreaking compilation video featuring clips of son Baxter from over the years.
She uploaded it alongside a lengthy caption that read: ‘Heaven welcomed our angel Baxter on Monday, October 5.
‘Baxter from the moment you were born, you have always been our dream come true.
‘You have the most perfect angelic face and the sweetest personality.’
The post continued: ‘You are always kind to everyone and always love holding a car in each hand or a bag of them with you everywhere you go.
‘You love your family, cars, chocolate chip cookies, karate, and all of your friends. You pick mommy flowers every day on our walks.’
Burnham concluded: ‘We miss you too much but we know you are still with us every day, watching over mommy, daddy and your baby brother Barron from heaven. We love you always and forever.’
She took to her Instagram Story a short time later to share an emotional poem by author Sara Rian.
It read: ‘While their life was short, the love is everlasting. While they were small, the love is big.
‘So big that the universe had to stretch to hold it. But it is held. They are held.’
The internet personality has built up a legion of more than 96,000 followers due to her lifestyle content – with a focus on motherhood and cooking videos.
In January, Burnham proudly celebrated Baxter’s fourth birthday with a Hot Wheels themed party.
‘Happy 4th birthday to the boy that made me a mama!’ she penned.
‘Baxter, your love of cars, trucks, and chocolate chip cookies is just the very best.
‘I love you so much and can’t wait to see what this next year has in store for you,’ she wrote.
