Imagination is everything, especially when you’re 4 years old and fighting for your life.

“I’m going to go to school when I feel better and get my tubes out of my chest,” Sky Lightfoot said.

For now, Sky’s world revolves around what’s inside her head: a malignant brain tumor.

“They told us if we had not found the tumor when we did she would have had a stroke from the pressure in her brain,” mother Jennifer said.

In the sterile confines of a treatment room, she is a ray of sunshine. Holding tight to her dad and to “Chili Pepper,” putting Sky under doesn’t take long.

Sedation allows the treatment team to position her for proton therapy, the most targeted form of radiation.

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Doctors with Children’s Cancer Hospital at M.D. Anderson hope to shrink the tumor and establish that there’s a benefit for pediatric patients who undergo proton therapy.

“To prove that it reduces the side effects that occur from radiation, and that it reduces the possibility of secondary malignancies from the radiation and that their quality of life is better,” radiation oncologist Dr. Anita Mahajan said.

So far 54 children have been treated with the power of protons. After proton therapy there is chemotherapy, a kind that actually enhances the radiation treatment. 

The Lightfoots believe they already know what this new form of radiation therapy offers for their child.

“It’s the best quality of life, a lot more chances to succeed,” dad Jason said.

Their best hope is for a cure.