Baby Layan’s Mother:
“Layan” is 7 months old. She was diagnosed with cancer disease from birth, retinoblastoma, which stole the light from both her eyes. Doctors confirmed that her case was severe and that the tumor was growing dangerously, but they assured us that Hospital 57357 is highly advanced in treating such difficult cases, and advised us to take her there to save her eyes.”
Hager tells the story of her daughter’s illness:
“I was the happiest woman in the world when God blessed me with my daughter, Layan. But after a few days of her birth, I noticed that her eyes looked strange, with a severe squint and an unstable gaze. She was constantly crying without a reason. I took her to an ophthalmologist, who ordered many scans. Afterward, she confirmed that my daughter had a tumor in her eyes…
The shock was terrible. I suddenly felt that the joy of my life was fading, but the doctor gave us hope and told us that 57357 has great capabilities in treating difficult cases like my daughter’s. We quickly went to 57 and got a waiting number, and then our appointment was scheduled. As soon as she entered, they immediately started many tests and examinations that would determine the type and stage of the tumor in order to give her the right treatment.
Within two days, she started chemotherapy doses to target the tumor. She was two months old, and the treatment was harsh on her. She would get tired after each dose, and I would suffer with her because I knew she couldn’t see me and only saw darkness. I would stand by her bedside and die of fear, afraid of losing her. But thank God, what I saw at 57357 reassured me. The care and attention from the 57357 team cannot be described. Not only do doctors and nurses administer care, but they also treat her as if she were their own daughter.
With each dose, her eyes began to improve. After the fourth dose, there was the most wonderful surprise: Layan started to smile and reach out to me when she saw me, which means that the light in her eyes was starting to return. Dr. Amani Al-Qadi reassured me and told me that she was starting to respond to treatment and there was a noticeable improvement in vision.
Layan has been receiving treatment for 5 months, and her treatment journey is still long. It will reach a year, or maybe more, and there are still chemotherapy doses, laser treatment, and cryotherapy, but the care, capabilities, and attention that I have seen at 57357 have made me very optimistic. I have great faith in God and I am sure that my daughter will recover, God willing. Now, I don’t just think about my daughter; I think about all the children here who are still suffering, and their parents are suffering with them. They are waiting to see their smiles, just as I saw Layan’s smile. We didn’t pay a penny for our daughter’s treatment, but we try to donate what we can to give something to children like Layan, and we tell our family and friends to donate whatever they can to help. May God heal all our children.”