'Emotionally exhausted' basketball player deals with daughters' diagnosis

Former Los Angeles Laker and current Utah Jazz guard Derek Fisher found himself living every parent’s worst nightmare Monday, when — days after learning his 10-month-old daughter Tatum had a form of eye cancer known as retinoblastoma — he had just 12 hours to decide whether or not to have her eye completely removed, or to treat the disease with a combination of chemotherapy and surgery.  With so much on the line — if either course proved unsuccessful, the cancer could spread to the optic nerve, then on to the brain, and then quickly throughout Tatum’s body — Derek and his wife Candace decided on the less invasive option in the hopes of sparing their baby girls eye.

Tatum — who has a twin brother, Drew — began treatment Wednesday at a New York-area hospital, with both parents by her side; Derek then boarded a flight bound for Utah, where he made a dramatic third quarter entrance to his team’s playoff game against the Golden State Warriors.  The days events — culminating in an overtime win by the Jazz — left Derek feeling drained, to say the least.

Physically, I’m OK.  But mentally and emotionally I’m just exhausted.

There is a genetic link to retinoblastoma, but thankfully Derek, Candace and Drew have all tested negative for the disease, which is difficult to detect;  Patients suffering from this exceedingly rare form of cancer usually present with an eye that reflects light oddly, and a retina that appears to glow.   

Only 350 cases are diagnosed each year.

Source:  LA Times

Comments

My heart breaks for him and his family. My daughter has leukemia and I know what he is going through all too well.

- another parent on May 11th, 2007

I just want Derek and his family to know we are praying for their baby girl here in his hometown of Little Rock,Ar. May God be with you guys!

- Katrina on May 11th, 2007

Is this the same disease that Hunter Tylo’s daughter has? And there was another person recently whose child had it, I want to say Matthew Ashford, but I didn’t think it was two soap stars.

- Jen on May 11th, 2007

What a terrible decision to have to make! I hope their baby gets better soon and doesn’t suffer too much. My heart breaks every time I think about a baby having to go through a serious disease. I get sad when my son freaks out getting a shot, so I can’t even imagine having to watch my child suffer like that.

My finger and toes will be crossed for them.

- PSB on May 11th, 2007

We just love Derek and are so proud of him, first as a sweet family man, second , as an incredible ball player.

Our prayers are with his family at this time.

another parent ((hugs and prayers)) to you and your family.

- Chelle on May 11th, 2007

this is a very sad case. Unfortunately, it usually takes these types of things to happen before people realize the value of their vision and health.

“Patients suffering from this exceedingly rare form of cancer usually present with an eye that reflects light oddly, and a retina that appears to glow.”

The only other point I would make is to say that IF you wait until you or your infant’s pediatrician can see the infant’s eye reflecting light oddly, its a very large tumor already. A much better route is to find an optometrist or ophthalmologist who is comfortable working with infants and small children. They are much better trained at detecting these and other eye health issues. Remember, its never too early for an eye examination. Finding something this late in the game leads to much poorer outcomes than early detection. There are many, many other conditions and diseases which can permanently affect an infants visual development.

School screenings and pediatrician’s eye screenings are not enough. They have their purpose, but your child’s eyes are worth protectiong!!!

- jim on May 11th, 2007

Yes, this is the same disease Hunter Tylo’s younger baby girl had. What a terrible, terrible thing. All blessings to Derek, Candace and the babies.

- madam pince on May 11th, 2007

How terrible this is. My husband and I have followed his career since his days at UALR. We live in the Little Rock area and there has been much talk about their family today. Everyone in Arkansas is praying for his family.

- Sarah on May 11th, 2007

My son was diagnosed with bi-lateral retinoblastoma at the age of 3 months. I had mentioned several times to my pediatrician that my babies eyes looked weird to me sometimes. It took me almost two months of noticing that something was wrong before I took my son to Wilmer Eye Center in Baltimore. Whithin two hours our worst fears were confirmed and the tumor had grown so large that his retina was totally detached. The eye was removed. I can’t explain the way I was feeling, I know what Derek and his family are feeling. They are in my prayers.

- Stacey on May 11th, 2007

I knew of a little boy with this disease. His parents noticed there was something wrong when his eye had a wierd reflection on a family photograph. He had his eye removed and now has a glass eye.

- clair on May 12th, 2007

Yes, it was two soap stars – Hunter Tylo’s daughter and Matt Ashford’s daughter. The two girls had the disease right around the same time – I think it’s been close to 10 years ago now.

- Alia on May 12th, 2007

Dear Friends,

I am the Development Director of The EyeCare Foundation, a non-profit organization providing educational information and support services to inviduals and families affected by eye cancer. We want to send positive thoughts to the Fisher family during this difficult time.

We recently published a coloring book for children with RB and their siblings. It also can be used as an educational tool for parents to explain to their children what it means to have RB. Should anyone be interested in obtaining a coloring book please do not hestitate to contact met at 212-832-7297 or [e-mail].

Thank you for your discussion on RB, which is helping raise awareness of the disease and acknowleding the Fisher Family’s experience.

Hayley Maragos

- Hayley Maragos on May 14th, 2007