Key Takeaways
- Kaia McCarthy, a 7-year-old girl, was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer called retinoblastoma after a glowstick accident revealed a tumor in her eye.
- Kaia underwent extensive treatment, including intravitreal and systemic chemotherapy, at Starship Hospital in Auckland.
- She also received intra-arterial chemotherapy, a rare and complex treatment that was administered via the femoral artery in her groin.
- Kaia’s treatment plan involved two rounds of intra-arterial chemotherapy, and she will be monitored closely for two years to look for any signs of the tumor returning.
- The community rallied around Kaia and her family, providing support and fundraising for her treatment, and the family is grateful for their generosity.
Introduction to Kaia’s Story
Kaia McCarthy, a 7-year-old girl from New Zealand, was diagnosed with a rare eye cancer called retinoblastoma after a glowstick accident revealed a tumor in her eye. Her parents, Alex and Elrond McCarthy, thought Kaia needed glasses, but when they took her to the optometrist, he was shocked by what he saw. The optometrist had never seen anything like it before, and international specialists were recruited for advice. After extensive consultation with specialists across New Zealand, Australia, the US, and Europe, a sample was taken from Kaia’s right eye and sent to Switzerland for confirmation of the retinoblastoma.
The Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
The diagnosis was a shock to the family, and Alex recalled their "complete shock" when they received the news. Kaia received two kinds of treatment – intravitreal and systemic chemotherapy – over the past five months at the Starship Hospital Blood and Cancer Unit. During Kaia’s last round of systemic chemotherapy, it was recommended she undergo intra-arterial chemotherapy. Initially, Kaia was going to receive the treatment in Switzerland, but due to uncertainties surrounding the cost, logistics, and timing, the family decided to have the treatment in Auckland instead. The treatment plan involved two rounds of intra-arterial chemotherapy four weeks apart, and Kaia’s parents were nervous about the risks involved.
Intra-Arterial Chemotherapy
Intra-arterial chemotherapy is a complex and rare treatment that is administered via the femoral artery in the groin, with the catheter guided into the ophthalmic artery so the drugs can be delivered directly to the eye. Alex said the first round of treatment went "really well", and Kaia was recovering. Her next and final round of treatment would be in early January, and Kaia will be monitored closely for two years afterwards to look for any signs of the tumor returning. The family is hopeful that this will be Kaia’s last treatment, but they are aware that there is always a risk of the tumor returning.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
The journey has been a rollercoaster for Kaia and her family, with constant changes and adaptations to the treatment plan. Kaia knows she needs medicine for her eye, but her parents refer to the cancer as a "cloud" in her eye when they discuss the condition with her. Kaia’s hair started to fall out during systemic chemotherapy, and she stopped attending school and playing sports because of her weakened immune system. Alex said it’s been a tough road for Kaia, and she has been quite anxious, but she has been amazing, and so has the Starship team looking after her.
Community Support
The community has been incredibly supportive of Kaia and her family, with friends from Pāpāmoa Playcentre starting a Givealittle page to support the family’s initial plan for Kaia to undergo treatment in Switzerland. Although the plans changed, the family was touched by the generosity of the community, with many people choosing not to refund their donations. Alex said the family feels grateful to the people who ran fundraisers, prepared meals, and chipped in to help, and they are thankful for the support they have received.
Conclusion and Future Plans
Kaia is excited to get back to her normal life, including playing on the monkey bars and going swimming, once she recovers from her treatment. Her family is hopeful that she will make a full recovery and that the tumor will not return. The experience has been challenging, but the family is grateful for the support they have received and for the care and expertise of the medical team at Starship Hospital. As Kaia looks to the future, her family will continue to monitor her closely and hope that she will be able to put her cancer journey behind her and live a happy and healthy life.