July 24th 2024.
Nuala Mulholland, a lively and curious 20-month-old girl from Liverpool, has faced quite the challenge in her young life. At just 10 months old, she had to undergo surgery to remove her eye due to a rare form of cancer. The news was devastating for her parents, Megan and Richard, who first noticed something was wrong when her eye became bloodshot in 2023. They never imagined it could be something as serious as cancer.
After her eye was removed, Nuala was given the all-clear in January, but her journey was far from over. She needed a prosthetic eye to help her regain a sense of normalcy. Thankfully, the skilled clinicians at Alder Hey Children's Hospital were up for the task. They designed a prosthetic eye specifically for Nuala, which was a groundbreaking achievement. This type of prosthetic is usually made using a lengthy and invasive process, but the team found a less invasive method for Nuala due to her young age.
Nuala's surgeon, Dr. Ankur Raj, worked closely with the prosthetics team at Aintree University Hospital to create a prosthetic eye that was not only functional but also aesthetically similar to her other eye. They used a series of MRI and CT scans, as well as photographs, to reconstruct her face and color match her prosthetic. This process was much more comfortable and less invasive for Nuala, who had already undergone so many surgeries and procedures in her short life.
Nuala's parents were grateful that their daughter did not have to go under anesthesia for the prosthetic fitting, as she had been put to sleep about 15 times already. Mrs. Mulholland praised her daughter's resilience and adaptability throughout the whole process. Nuala took everything in stride and even went to a soft play area just three days after one of her operations. Her parents were amazed at her strength and courage.
Nuala's case was a first for Dr. Raj and his colleagues at Alder Hey's ophthalmology department. Her cancer, alveolar soft part sarcoma, is extremely rare, with only about six cases diagnosed in England each year. The Mulhollands had to make a difficult decision between radiotherapy, which could have lifelong effects on Nuala due to her young age, or removing her eye. They ultimately chose the latter, wanting to give their daughter the best chance at a normal life.
Mrs. Mulholland shared that it has been an adjustment for her to see people's reactions to Nuala's prosthetic eye, but she welcomes questions and is happy to share her daughter's story. Nuala, now walking and attending nursery, is thriving despite her challenges. She is a testament to the strength and resilience of children and their ability to adapt to any situation. The Mulholland family is grateful for the support and care they received from the medical team at Alder Hey, who helped give Nuala a chance at a normal childhood.
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