Brave Daniel gets his ‘miracle’ after radical new treatment
IT was the miracle little Daniel Boyce’s parents had longed for when they took him to Switzerland to undergo radical treatment for retinoblastoma, tumours on both his eyes.
His doting mum and dad Paul and Pauline confirmed to the Argus that the tumours are now benign.
But the condition has sadly meant the four year old from Ashling Crescent has completely lost his sight in his right eye.
Having featured in the Argus last December, where they spoke of hopes for a ‘Christmas miracle’ for little Daniel, that he would get the treatment he needed in a treatment centre in Switzerland which specialises in these conditions, Paul said:
‘We are very lucky, we got our Christmas miracle. The tumours are clear now,’ as they returned from the third trip to Switzerland, and prepare for the possibility of having to go back again next month.
‘He has lost sight entirely in his right eye. He has been through a lot, and he still has some way to go yet with the treatment,’ added Paul.
‘But when we saw some of the children who were attending there for treatment, we realised that we are lucky.’
He explained that Daniel is undergoing cryotherapy on his eyes, an intensive treatment for retinoblastoma.
Retinoblastoma (Rb) is a rare form of cancer that rapidly develops from the immature cells of a retina, the light-detecting tissue of the eye.
It is the most common malignant cancer of the eye in children, and it is almost exclusively found in young children. Though survival rates are said to be good for this type of cancer, many children may lose their vision in the affected eyes.
Paul explained that the condition first presented itself as a turn in Daniel’s eye.
It was spotted by an optician, and after he was referred to hospital for tests, doctors discovered he had four tumours in his right eye, and one in his left.
Having learned there was specialist treatment in Switzerland, Paul and Pauline set out to fundraise to ensure little Daniel could access it, and they could crucially be at his side.
‘We are so grateful to everyone who supported Daniel, and enabled us to travel to Switzerland with him.
After the treatment, there can be a good few days of recovery, so we are glad to say he’s coming on well.
Paul added that the couple were ‘really overwhelmed’ by the support, adding ‘ This town is fantastic for support. We just had another fundraiser in the Fane bar on Sunday night, and can’t thank the people of Dundalk enough for all they have done to help.’