Story From Bardiya
In a small village in Bardia, western Nepal, a 3-month-old baby girl’s life has taken an unexpected turn. Born into a humble family, her parents were overjoyed with the arrival of their little one, unaware that their world would soon be shaken. For the past month, they had noticed a progressively increasing lump in her left eye. Initially, they dismissed it as a minor issue, but as time passed, the swelling worsened, and their concerns grew.
Desperate for answers, the family made the difficult journey to Kathmandu and brought their baby girl to Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology. The doctors conducted a thorough examination, and after a series of investigations, the heartbreaking news was delivered: their daughter was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, a rare and aggressive cancer of the eye. But the situation was even more concerning—both of her eyes were affected, with a small tumor even present in the normal-looking eye.
Retinoblastoma is a condition where cancer begins in the retina, and when it’s left untreated, it can spread quickly, leading to blindness or even life-threatening consequences. In this case, the cancer had already spread outside her left eye, which meant the young baby would need urgent and intensive treatment.
The medical team laid out a treatment plan that included 12 cycles of chemotherapy, surgery on the left eye, and local treatments such as laser therapy (TTT) and chemodrug injections for the better eye. The goal of these treatments was to save at least one of her eyes and halt the progression of the cancer. However, the treatment would require the family to stay in Kathmandu for approximately two years.
For the parents, this posed an overwhelming challenge. Their financial situation was modest, and the costs associated with such an extended stay in the city for treatment were simply beyond their means. In a rural area like Bardia, where access to medical facilities is limited, the family had already sacrificed much to bring their baby to Kathmandu, and now they were faced with the daunting reality of a long, expensive journey ahead.
This young family’s plight is a testament to the emotional and financial strain that many parents in Nepal face when confronted with life-threatening conditions, especially when the healthcare system requires them to travel far from their homes for specialized treatment. Their story is one of resilience, love, and hope, but it is also a call for help. In a country where medical costs can be prohibitive, many families find themselves in dire situations, hoping that compassionate individuals and organizations will extend a helping hand to ensure that a child’s life is not cut short due to financial limitations.
As this baby girl begins her fight against Retinoblastoma, her family’s journey is far from over. But with the right support, she still has a fighting chance to grow up healthy and thrive.