MY CHRISTMAS WISH
Four-year-old Daniel could face Christmas in hospital in Switzerland
BRAVE little Daniel Boyce (4) ) from Aisling Crescent is hoping that radical treatment in Switzerland will speed up his recovery from retinoblastoma – even if it means he could spend Christmas in hospital abroad this year.
The condition has caused tumours on both the little boy’s eyes, which requires specialised care. Daniel’s devoted parents Paul Boyce and Pauline Dolan explained that as he is not responding as quickly as was hoped to treatment in Temple Street Children’s Hospital, he has been referred for specialised chemotherapy at a hospital in Switzerland. Paul said: ‘He is meant to be heading next week, but it could be the week after.
‘ The reality is Daniel could be facing Christ- mas in hospital, but we don’t mind as long as he gets the treatment he needs.’
The condition first presented as a turn in Daniel’s eye. It turned out he had four tumours in his right eye and one in his left.
A brave young Dundalk boy could be facing Christmas in hospital in Switzerland, where he is set to undergo radical treatment for eye tumours.
Daniel Boyce (4) from Aisling Crescent, has been diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, which means he has tumours in both eyes.
His devoted parents Paul Boyce and Pauline Dolan explained that as he is not responding as quickly as was hoped to treatment in Temple Street, Daniel has been referred for specialised chemotherapy at a hospital in Switzerland.
‘He is meant to be heading next week, but it could be the week after, we are not sure yet,’ said Paul.
‘ The reality is Daniel could be facing Christmas in hospital, but we don’t mind as long as he gets the care he needs.’
He explained that Daniel’s condition presented as a turn in his eye, which when first assessed wasn’t found to be serious.
But it was only after a visit to a Dundalk opticians that the real cause was discovered.
‘Daniel attended an eye test in Specsavers Dundalk in which a lady called Berniece noticed something behind his right eye, whilst investigating his minimal sight in the same eye,’ said Paul.
‘As a result, we took Daniel to Temple Street Hospital where they did tests and sent us home with an appointment the following Wednesday for Daniel to go under anaesthetic.’
‘ The outcome was he has four tumours in his right eye and one tumour in his left with seeds in both eyes.’
Paul explained that as part of his care Daniel is currently attending Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. ‘He goes there every week to get his bloods done, Hickman Line cleaned and dressings changed,’ said Paul. ‘He also has to go to Temple Street Children’s Hospital once a month for cryotherapy and then Crumlin Children’s Hospital once a month for chemotherapy.’
Paul said that they are ‘ hoping against hope’ that the intensive treatment he is set to undergo in Switzerland will make the difference for little Daniel.
‘ The worst case scenario is that he could lose both of his eyes, which we can’t even begin to think of. He is such a bright, bubbly young boy, and loves Christmas.
Unfortunately we haven’t been able to take him out to visit Santa or anything as his immunity is low, and we don’t want him anywhere where he is at risk of catching infections.’
Paul and Pauline last week hosted a fundraiser in Kennedy’s Bar towards the cost of their travel and stay in Switzerland, so that they can be by Daniel’s side.
‘ There are so many people we need to thank for making the night such a great success, especially everyone who donated spot prizes, made cash donations and bought tickets for the table quiz last Tuesday night.
‘But in particular we would really like to thank Richard Macken, Print Express for kindly donating all posters, flyers and tickets, Eugene McGeough and staff of Kennedy’s Bar for offering the venue, laying on food and kindly donating a prize for the quiz, Micheal and Vincent for calling to the house, offering their services and making an extremely generous donation, Mark Mulligan (GEEZER) and Desmond McKeown of the Dundalk branch of the Arsenal Supporters Club for the generous donation from the club.’
Paul and Pauline also thanked Vincent Del Duca of Tony’s Pizzeria for his donation and Raymond and Pat Fagan for their generous donation. ‘We also want to thank Jason Neary for his collection at the army barracks in Gormanston and Genieve Maughan for walking the streets of Dundalk with Daniel’s mother Pauline to get donations and spot prizes, and Donna Neary and her daughter Megan for ticket sales and the cake sale in Meghan’s school, along with Thompson Transport for the spot prize and donation.
‘Most importantly, a massive big thank you to Pauline and Tony Guest for organising the quiz night, the advertising, tickets and raffle to make it a brilliant night on such short notice.’