Parents Devastated After Discovering Son’s Eye Cancer from Glint
A couple’s quick action after noticing a glint in their son’s eye led to a shocking cancer diagnosis, highlighting the importance of vigilance.
Kooper, Retinoblastoma, Birmingham, South Wales, Eye Cancer
Ferndale: A couple noticed something odd in their little boy’s eye. They saw a strange glint and decided to investigate. Lowri Gallagher, the mom, wasn’t too worried at first. But when she mentioned it to her partner, Shane Stevenson, they both started to feel uneasy.
One night, they noticed that Kooper’s left eye had a white glint when the lights were off. They turned to Google for answers and found out it could be retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer in kids. They took photos of Kooper with the flash on and were shocked to see that white glow in every picture.
They rushed him to the doctor, and soon after, they were at Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital. Sadly, Kooper was diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma, which means he has cancer in one eye. The doctors told them he was blind in that eye, but there’s hope he can keep it with chemotherapy.
Shane shared that he didn’t think much of it at first. He thought it was probably nothing serious. But when he saw the white pupil himself, he started to worry. They kept taking pictures, and the white glow was always there. That’s when they knew they had to act fast.
Lowri, who has a military background, said the week leading up to the diagnosis was the hardest. They were filled with uncertainty and fear. But once they knew what they were dealing with, it was a bit of a relief, even if it was still overwhelming.
Kooper is now undergoing treatment, which includes chemotherapy and laser therapy. Shane mentioned that Kooper is still his playful self, but it’s tough to see him struggle with the treatments. He’s just a little guy who doesn’t understand why he has to go through all this.
The couple is now urging other parents to keep an eye on their kids’ eyes. Shane said many people ignore these signs, which can lead to serious consequences. They’re grateful they caught it early and want others to be vigilant.
Lowri also shared a message online, encouraging parents to check their children’s eyes regularly. If something feels off, it’s better to get it checked out. They even set up a GoFundMe to help with the costs of Kooper’s treatment.