Mother’s Alertness Detects Rare Cancer in Infants, Gillingham resident Sarah Hedges made a concerning discovery about her three-month-old son Thomas that likely saved his life.
In November, Ms. Hedges was at home cooking when her attention was drawn to her son’s eyes. She noticed an unusual white glow emanating from one eye.
Worried it may indicate an underlying condition, Ms. Hedges used the flash on her smartphone to get a clearer view. Photographing the eye, she saw the strange glow, which soon vanished.
Determined to solve the mystery, Ms. Hedges closely observed Thomas under different light settings the next day. Disturbingly, the glow reappeared in his eye. Online research prompted fears the symptom could signal retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer that affects young children.
Ms. Hedges promptly took Thomas to a doctor for evaluation. At Medway Hospital, tests confirmed the grave diagnosis – three-month-old Thomas was suffering from retinoblastoma. Aggressive treatment began immediately with six cycles of chemotherapy.
Despite facing setbacks like sepsis, the infant showed tremendous courage and resilience through his treatment. On May 10th, Thomas rang the bell to symbolize the end of his cancer battle.
Ms. Hedges notes her attentiveness and instinct to document the anomaly were crucial in facilitating early diagnosis and care. Thomas’ recovery stands as a testament to the importance of parental vigilance.
