Winter 2008
Timothy Murrey MD
The Global Eye.
Lori Simmer, mother of two-year-old Brady, explains why Dr Timothy Murray exemplifies the qualities of a World Retinoblastoma Citizen
My son, Brady, was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma on August 26, 2005. Dr. Murray has informed us that Brady’s case is the “worst case” he has seen in the U.S. in two decades. .
Welcome
Eye Contact
Art for Eyes Paint Day
Toronto Bluejays Game
David M Bailey Concert
4th Annual Blind Ball
Harry’s Farewell.
Research Matters
Toronto Protocol
Eyes on the World
World Rb Awareness Week
In the Spotlight
Katy's Story
Brady's Story
Focused Care Q&A
Implants..
The Art of Child Life
Going to the Ocularist.
Snap Shot
Honduras.
World Rb Citizen
Timothy Murray MD
Kids Corner
Valentine Fun..
Points of View
Have Your Say.
Diary Dates
What's Happening?
We were told from the beginning that enucleation of both eyes may be necessary in Brady’s case due to the severity of his retinoblastoma. Dr. Murray and I had an understanding. We knew that this battle would be a long one; but we would only explore the enucleation route if it was absolutely necessary and after we had tried EVERY other treatment option. Brady underwent 9 cycles of combined systemic chemotherapy together with laser treatment. He was stable for three months and then relapsed. He then had 14 cycles of aggressive external beam radiation, was stable for three months and then relapsed again. In January, 2007 we were very close to the end of the rope.
Even after two relapses Dr. Murray was not ready to give up hope. He suggested we could try additional chemotherapy together with a relatively new localized periocular chemotherapy injection.
He always encouraged me to research second opinions and, given the circumstances in January, involving another ocular oncologist then became necessary. I had done extensive reading about Dr. Brenda Gallie in Toronto and her experience with recurrent retinoblastoma. After being told by our local oncologist that “if we did additional chemotherapy and it worked, it would be a miracle”, I was advised by Abby White to discuss alternatives with Dr. Gallie.
Dr. Gallie educated me about their “Toronto Protocol” and suggested that Brady would have a 60% chance of saving each eye if he were to have the Toronto Protocol.
Dr. Gallie was willing to take Brady on as her patient and I was immediately prepared to relocate to Toronto for as long as Brady needed treatment. I expressed my wishes to Dr. Murray. I truly feel that in any similar circumstance the treating physician would have said, “okay, do what you have to do” and allowed us to go elsewhere.
However, Dr. Murray did not want to see us go. He knew that this chemotherapy treatment, wherever it would be administered, would be our LAST chance to save Brady’s eyes. He knew that my relocating would not only cost us a fortune, but would also involve my leaving my home, family and support system. But he also knew that my husband and I had made up our minds that the Toronto Protocol was our best LAST chance.
Dr. Murrray gave it some thought and then spoke to the oncology department at Jackson Memorial Hospital. They all agreed to accept guidance from the team in Toronto and agreed to administer the Toronto Protocol here in Miami. My husband and I felt as if the weight of the world had been lifted. Dr. Murray had put our feelings and Brady’s best interest before anything else. This is an example of what I feel EVERY doctor in this world should do. Dr. Timothy Murray is not only an incredible humanitarian, but also a hero to our family.
Brady completed the Toronto Protocol in April, 2007. At present, his left eye has been enucleated but he remains stable with no cancer activity in the remaining eye. He even has a little peripheral vision. Had it not been for the Toronto Protocol and the efforts and selflessness of Dr. Murray, our family does not feel that we would have had the outcome for Brady that we presently have.
__________
If you would like to nominate someone for the 2008 World Retinoblastoma Citizen Award, please visit our award section for more details.
Privacy | Terms Of Use | Disclaimer | Site Map | About This Site
Your computer must be running Java to view certain elements of this website.
Please click here for information about how to switch on Java.