Disappointing News

Fintan returned to the Royal London Hospital yesterday (Wednesday 12th) for his 6 week follow-up EUA; unfortunately, it was a very disappointing result.  The 'seed' or debris that had previously been spotted and was being watched very closely had landed on the retina, taken a blood supply and is actively growing.  It has been treated with some cryotherapy and Fintan returns in 3 weeks to see how it has responded and to give a second dose.  We are trying to stay positive and hope that the cryotherapy works, however, if it is not successful there are still some other options to treat it (a radioactive plaque or intra-arterial chemotherapy).

This new activity is located near the front of the eye, behind the iris, so should not impact too greatly on his already limited vision, but the treatment seemed to cause him more pain and discomfort this time.  It is difficult to know whether it is just because Fintan is older now and has more understanding of pain and where it is coming from, or whether it was because he hasn't had cryotherapy for some time or the position of treated area.  He was very distressed when he came round from his anaesthetic, because he couldn't open his eye properly, it was painful and he said he couldn't see and despite being given pain relief and anti-sickness medicines he was quite sick.  However, several scotch pancakes and his favourite salt and vinegar crisps later and discovering Santa had left a present whilst he was asleep, Fintan was soon back to his chatty, bubbly self!!

Hopefully, Christmas will provide a much needed distraction from this worrying time and the New Year brings us better news.

No pictures from the hospital, but here's Fintan as a 'baby bat' in his Christmas Play this morning!