Bad news

The ophthalmologist found evidence that the cancer is still active in Anya's right eye.  There are three seeds present and an area around the tumor that he classified as "very concerning."  Due to her retinal detachment of a year ago, there is no way to locally treat the tumor (laser or cryotherapy).  The only possible treatment is extremely risky, experimental, and makes no sense to put Anya through for an eye that has no vision.  Along with her doctor, we decided on Tuesday to make plans to have that eye removed.  It is a horrible decision to have to make for your child.  Yet, it is necessary because it is the only way to get the cancer out of her body and preserve her life.  Medically speaking, it is not surprising that the seeds showed up because this tumor only received one treatment of laser and cryo, when the protocol is at least three.  Her retina detached after the first treatment and that made laser and cryo an impossibility because the doctor simply couldn't reach the tumor with those tools any longer.

Her left eye remains stable.  If it ever doesn't, that is the time that we do all the risky, experimental treatments out there and fight like hell to save that eye.

Surgery is scheduled for Monday evening at Children's Hospital.  We met with the surgeon on Tuesday.  He claims that this is a very straightforward surgery.  It should take about one hour, and she will be able to come home that night.  It will take approximately 6-8 weeks for her eye to completely heal and then she will be fitted with a prosthetic eye.