Six-month-old Ariel Stevens has been flown to the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne for intensive chemotherapy.

She was originally diagnosed with an optic glioma, but further tests have found it is a different kind of cancerous tumour, which has spread into her spine. Samples have been sent to Germany to try and determine exactly what it is.

Her devastated parents Lani and Justin said they were shocked when they found out their “perfect baby girl” had a brain tumour.

“Our world was turned upside down,” Mr Stevens said. “We’re ​now in Melbourne and treatment starts today, and we once again wait to see how she reacts.

“Ariel is doing awesome – she is so strong, but we have to take it day by day as there is no certainty.”

Mrs Stevens’ sister Kylie Pike has set up a gofundme campaign to help with the family’s financial burden.

“There is no history on either side of the family of brain tumours,” she said.

Ms Pike said her sister’s pregnancy was “perfect”. She had minimal morning sickness, no back pain and her scans were all normal.

“And then Ariel was meeting all her milestones – happy, responsive, engaging and cheeky.”

She had started eating solid foods a few weeks before the diagnosis, and had begun occasionally vomiting her food and milk.

“They took her to the GP but there were no concerns at that stage. A week later, Ariel started vomiting every time she ate and drank and was very sleepy. Another doctors visit, but upon basic examination, they could not find anything of concern.”

Mr and Mrs Stevens were still worried though, given Ariel’s age and the risk of dehydration. They took her to the Launceston General Hospital emergency department.

“Thankfully, the LGH did tests and found fluid on her brain and further tests revealed that Ariel had an extensive brain tumour,” Ms Pike said.

She was flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital, where a shunt was put in to drain the fluid and a biopsy was taken. She was transferred to Melbourne last week.

Mrs Stevens is living in Melbourne for six months or so while Ariel is treated and Mr Stevens is taking as much time off work as he can, flying back-and-forth.

They said they were both “blown away” by the generosity of the public already.

“They’re extremely grateful and feel like they can now just focus on Ariel and her needs,” Ms Pike said.