A mum fears her baby has been left blind in one eye after she was diagnosed with a rare cancer.
Little Arla Laughland, who is 18 months, has Retinoblastoma - a rare childhood cancer of the retina affecting 30-40 children every year.
The tot was diagnosed after a health visitor saw she had a quint during an eight month check up. She was referred to an eye specialist who found a tumour just after her first birthday in December 2022.
The Daily Record reports her mum Joanna, 29, told how her life was turned upside down in an instant when she and her husband Nicky were called in to discuss her daughter’s test results.
The beautician, from Livingston, said: “She had a little squint but my sister and husband both had them as babies so I never thought anything of it.
“I thought worst case scenario she might need glasses.
“I could tell straight away from the expression on the doctor’s face that something wasn’t right. She said she was certain Arla had a tumour.
“I was in a complete state of shock. Never in a million years did I think my baby had cancer. I phoned my mum but I couldn’t get the words out.”
Medics believe the tumour has already caused enough damage to Arla’s retina that the tot may never have vision in her left eye - but her family face a long wait as the one-year-old is too young to receive an accurate result.
After looking back at photographs, Joanna realised Arla had displayed a unique system of cancer as a baby. As well as a squint, her left eye was always white in camera flashback, while her healthy eye was red.
Other physical symptoms also include; a change in the colour of the iris, a red or inflamed eye and poor vision such as uncontrolled eye movements.
Since Arla’s diagnosis, she has undergone five rounds of chemotherapy, with another due before medics reassess the size of her tumour. Arla has also been going to Birmingham Children’s Hospital for laser treatment every month.
The tot will now require specialist treatment in England for at least two years. The 11-hour round trips to Birmingham have left the family struggling financially and they have since launched a drive to raise funds.
Despite everything, Joanna says her ‘happy and resilient daughter’, who has ‘taken everything in her stride.’
She added: “She is a very resilient little girl and would give any adult a run for their money with what life has thrown at her. When she’s been undergoing treatment, she’ll just lie on the sofa and not move but other than that she’s very happy and bubbly.
“I only started my business in September so it’s been a lot of juggling everything.
“We’re extremely grateful that my sister has set up a fundraiser to help with expenses. It’s been very overwhelming and so many people want to help. It means we can focus on Arla.”
To donate to Arla’s fundraiser visit here
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