I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH RETINABLASTOMA (EYE CANCER) AT 7 MONTHS OLD. THIS CANCER HITS CHILDREN. IT IS CURABLE IF CAUGHT IN TIME. MY OLDER SISTER DID NOT SURVIVE. SHE DIED BEFORE SHE TURNED THREE. I HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS AND BOTH WERE DIAGNOSED AT 4 MONTHS. THE FIRST ONE LOST HER EYE AT ONE AND A HALF. SHE IS 13 TODAY. MY SECOND DAUGHTER HAD CHEMO AT 5 MONTHS. SHE IS 11 TODAY. THE DOCTORS TOLD ME MANY YEARS AGO "YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE CHILDREN. DON'T HAVE CHILDREN". MY HUSBAND AND I ARE SO VERY THANKFUL TO GOD FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL AND LOVING GIRLS. LET'S FIGHT BACK. 1/24/08 BETH
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My Sister and her 5 year old son both had Retinablastoma..
Hello Beth:
My younger sister, 25 in March was diagnosed at 3 months old with bi-lateral retinablastoma and underwent surgery to remove the eye that was too far gone and then daily radiation treatments for the other eye. Her outcome was great she survived, but is legally blind. My sister, Jenee's is genetic, and they have identified the gene that determines whether you will develop the eye disease. Of her 2 children, her oldest had the gene.
Her son, age 5, was consistenly screened by doctors in order to catch it early. He did before 1 year of age develop tumors bi-lateraly with a very aggressive form of retinablatoma. However, with research and evolving medicine, they no longer perform radiation as treatment, instead chemotherapy with monthly operations where they went in with lasers to zap apart the shrinking tumors.
I know what she has personaly gone through and our family, and commend you for your strength. I know this is not very common and thought maybe the two of you might enjoy communicating with eachother. Jenee lives in Washington State with her 5 year old son, almost 2 year old daughter and her e-mail is live4tdaynottomo@aol.com.
Take care and many blessings,
Tara