Paola’s mother suspected that her daughter had problems with her eyes. But it was not until she saw a program on television that explained the characteristics of eye cancer that Adriana decided to take Paola to an ophthalmologist. The results of some medical exams revealed that Paola suffered from retinoblastoma, a type of cancer of the retina. The cancer had affected both eyes, and Paola’s life was in danger. Doctors recommended that both eyes be removed to prevent the disease from spreading to her brain.
Hoping for a miracle, her parents consulted with several doctors in Mexico and then, they looked for help in Nashville, Tenn., where part of their family resided. In Nashville, the doctors performed surgery on Paola to remove her left eye and informed her parents that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was the best place for their daughter.
At St. Jude, Paola received chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and underwent a second surgery to remove her right eye. When her treatment was nearing completion, our doctors discovered that the cancer had returned. Paola had several tumors in her neck and the right side of her face. She received a bone marrow transplant and is now receiving chemotherapy treatment. Paola faces a difficult battle with cancer, but our doctors at St. Jude will never stop fighting for her life.
Created by St Jude Patients