Page 9 - Phonebox Magazine April 2010

erious cancer of the eyes. Retinoblastoma only attacks young children o
e u
8
s o
r
h w
w g
c
r e
n
by growing cancerous tumours within their eyes. The “Blastoma” part
it is very aggressive. The only positive is that it is rare, with only 40-50
UK each year. In its worst form (trilateral) it is fatal. In its middle form
Ernie and The Fat Old Man
s Ernie’s) it is 10% fatal. In its mildest form (unilateral) it is seldom fatal
rable.
ERNIE is 21⁄2 years old. He is fit, good looking months in hospital. At last Ernie appears to and very bright, but I would say that because be on the mend and he has had no new
ancer gets too big and aggressive, that eye often has to be removed, so
he is my Grandson. That is how he is now, growths in his left eye for nine months now.
0% of survivors eventually have to have one, or both, eyes removed.
but it is not how he has always been. (Please keep everything crossed.)
t that can give an early indication if a baby, or toddler, has this Eye
When he was but a few months old he was During those horrendous two years my
look at the family photographs. It is common to see a ”red eye”. If the
diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma daughter (Lisa), son-in-law (Andy) and other
e eye appears white, then get it checked with your GP very soon. Early
which is a serious cancer of the eyes.
grandson (Stan) were helped and supported by a wonderful charity specialising in Retinoblastoma, The Childhood Eye Cancer
eatly increases the chances of a cure
Retinoblastoma only attacks young children
and does so by growing cancerous tumours
at Ernie had this Eye Cancer was about equivalent to a nuclear bomb
within their eyes. The “Blastoma” part means Trust (CHECT).
n into the middle of our family. Except that it drew us even closer!
that it is very aggressive. The only positive is
that it is rare, with only 40-50 cases in the UK
CHECT provide practical and emotional support for families struck by this Cancer.
o years later. Ernie has had two heavy rounds of chemotherapy but,
each year. In its worst form (trilateral) it is They also fund essential research into the
Ernie Now (Jan 2010)
Ernie Now E
ht eye had to be removed. He has endured around 100 hospital visits,
fatal. In its middle form (bilateral, as Ernie’s) it
disease, its causes and cures, and work to
ns and months in hospital....At last Ernie appears to be on the mend and
is 10% fatal. In its mildest form (unilateral) it
increase public awareness. Please look at
no new growths in his left eye for nine months now. (please keep
my body and I am quite apprehensive about
is seldom fatal and 95% curable.
rossed)
When the cancer gets too big and aggressive, that eye often has to be removed, so that about
80% of survivors
eventually have
to have one, or
both, eyes
removed.
their website www.chect.org.uk.
Understandably, I feel compelled to show our family’s appreciation to this fantastic charity
group by helping them with the very necessary cash that they need to continue and expand their work. That part is where we humbly seek your help to raise as much money as possible. So far we have raised more than £7,000 towards our target of £25,000. The generosity of people has been amazing.
The Fat Old Man? Yes, that’s me. I’m short, fat, 63 years old and wheeze like an old steam train (asthma). I felt that I must do something
for which you could sponsor me. In a passing moment of
(Jan 2010) Ch
A simple test
that can give an
early indication if
a baby, or
toddler, has this
Eye Cancer is to
look at the family
photographs. It
is common to
see a “red eye”.
If the centre of
the challenge! If you see me around the Olney area on my recumbent bike whilst training, please throw money at me as I go by, or push me if I am going too slowly!
Your sponsorship of me will go to CHECT. I will keep you updated in coming editions of Phonebox.
To donate please visit our page at www.justgiving.com/Brian-Thorogood
Alternatively you could write a cheque to “The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust” and send to us at Phonebox.
A BIG thankyou to you all,
Brian, Ernie and Our Family.
ie Now
n 2010)
the eye appears
Ernie During Latest ChemEor-nThierDapuyr(iOncgt L09a)test
Chemo-Therapy (Oct 09)
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white, then get it
checked with
your GP very soon. Early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of a cure.
The news that Ernie had this Eye Cancer was about equivalent to a nuclear bomb being thrown into the middle of our family. Except that it drew us even closer!
It is now two years later. Ernie has had two heavy rounds of chemotherapy but, sadly, his right eye had to be removed. He has endured around 100 hospital visits, 30 operations and
delirium I agreed to enter the London to Paris charity cycle ride covering 300 miles in four days during May.
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Phonebox Magazine 9