KONGORONG resident Julie-ann Sams knows all too well melanoma does not discriminate after witnessing her youngest son Toby Rayner battle through a rare diagnosis of iris melanoma that sadly required his left eye to be surgically removed.
Just over two years ago, life changed dramatically for the then 12-year-old and his family when what seemed like a freckle in his eye was found to be cancer.
In a matter of months, Toby went from being a young energetic boy to one who had to battle through surgery and adjust to life with a glass eye.
This was no small feat and a journey that his mother Julie-ann wished she could have changed.
“I get teary talking about it, usually as a mother you are able to change things or make things better, but in this case there was nothing I could do and no way around his eye being removed,” she said.
“He has been incredible and we have ploughed through it together, but it has not been without tears.”
It all started in August 2015 when the pain in Toby’s eye was increasing and his sight decreasing.
A simple visit to the doctor at the Eye Centre in Mount Gambier, quickly progressed to a trip to Melbourne to see an oncologist and a couple of months later a biopsy of the freckle was taken.
Sadly, the news was not good with the only solution to remove the eye.
On November 30, just three days before Toby’s 13th birthday, surgery was undertaken and the next stage of the post cancer journey began.
“I told Toby we had until January 1 to wallow in self-pity and be as miserable as we wanted,” Julie-ann said.
“But come the new year, we had to suck it up and get on with it because this was our life now.
“I wish I could change things, but I’m so lucky to still have Toby.
“I said right from the beginning ‘we can live without an eye’.”
As expected, the transition to a glass eye was difficult and in the beginning Toby resisted wearing it.
“He did not wear the eye for the first 12 months, it was uncomfortable and became quite upsetting,” Julie-ann said.
“His attitude was ‘this is what I look like, people need to accept me for who I am’.”
Unfortunately not wearing the eye caused infections so a new and smaller eye was made to fit the implant.
“He wore it all the time after that and in January this year another new one was fitted as he continued to grow,” Ms Sams said.
“We found out that more than likely he will also have to have a larger implant when he is about 18 or 19.”
Now over two years later, the 15-year-old and his mother are doing their part to help others battling with melanoma by taking part in the annual Melanoma March in Mount Gambier.
“This is our way of giving back to the community, which has been fantastic and very supportive,” Julie-ann said.
“We want to help by raising awareness and funds for the Melanoma Institute Australia and hopefully will help someone else along the way.”
Urging others to keep up-to-date with checks, Julie-ann said there was no harm in being over-cautious.
“Melanoma does not discriminate – it can affect anyone at any time – it’s not just an older person’s disease – Toby is testament to that,” she said.
“Even if you are sun smart, melanoma can still affect you.
“It’s so important to be aware and act on anything you think looks suspicious as it might just save your life.”
The Mount Gambier Melanoma March will take place on March 4 at the Blue Lake Reserve with registration from 8am and start of the march at 9am.
Visit www.melanomamarch.org.au to register early or donate.
