Carter's Crusade: A Fight Against Cancer

On Monday, August 26th,2013 my 10 month old son Carter and his identical twin Blake visited Dr. Stephen Glaser for a routine "well baby" check up. After a in-depth eye exam, it was discovered that Carter had a red-eye deficiency, resulting in Retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer that results in a tumor of the retina of the eye. Only 200-300 children a year are diagnosed in the United States. For more information on what this is, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinoblastoma. After this discovery, Carter was referred to the top notch doctors at Johns Hopkins for a more in-depth examination of the tumor. Initially measuring about 10mm, the CT scan confirmed that the tumor was confined to the retina and has not spread to any other parts of the eye/brain. Carter underwent an MRI on Wednesday, August 28th in order for the doctors to get a better look. It was confirmed the tumor is about the size of a medium marble (1cm x 1cm x 1.5cm) and confined to the retina. In order to receive the best medical care, Carter was sent to Philadelphia, PA to the Wills Eye Institute to receive treatment from Dr. Carol Shields. While there, Carter underwent a chemo treatment called intra arterial chemo (IAC) a treatment to ultimately shrink and remove the tumor. After 3 rounds of chemo the inital tumor was gone but during the process 20 subretinal seeds appeared and Carter is now undergoing another 2-3 rounds of chemotherapy. 

These last 8 months have been tough and although my company provides me with insurance, it doesn't cover everything and the bills are starting to roll in fast. Since we live in Maryland and our doctors are in Philadelphia the travel expenses to get there and stay during his treatment are also starting to add up fast. As a single mother I am doing my best but it is starting to become difficult. 

Any assistant that you can provide would be greatly appreciated while my family and I are on the journey of getting my baby healthy. 

To follow Carter's journey please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/carterfurey

Jessica