Honored Kid

Malena (Anna) S.

Age 17
Malena (Anna) S. Kid Photo

Location

Hiram, GA, US

Diagnosis

Retinoblastoma

Date of Diagnosis

May 2007

Status

In maintenance

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My Story

Malena was diagnosed with Bilateral Retinal Blastoma in May 2010. The doctors removed her right eye 6 days later and she started a strong 3 regiment chemotherapy treatment after that on her left eye. The cancer was over 2.5 cm in her right eye which filled her whole eye and she was 100% blind on that eye. Her left eye had a 3mm tumor in her blind spot so she still has 100% vision in this eye. She had chemo for 6 months which made her lose all her hair and it was pretty rough on her. She went from a 3-year old that was on track when it comes to development to going back into diapers and becoming mute. She finally became diaper free and started school. She talks a lot but she's still very hard to understand. She is going to Egelstone every 3-4 months to check on the tumor which is still in the left eye. Malena was in a sensitive stage where she was able to develop leukemia and other cancers easily. We constantly monitor her. We clean her eye every night and she wears protective eyeglasses to protect her good eye from any damage while playing etc. Malena is now 11 years old and a awesome pre-teen. She is doing well and is doing super with her prosthetic eye. She was held back two years in school and we have decided to homeschool her. It has been a fantastic experience-she is growing intellectually every day. She has struggled with retention and learning due to chemotherapy but now doing well at her own speed.

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