Santo J Triolo

My First Trip Around the Sun Santo J Triolo

LAST CHAPTER FIRSTThis is a story about cancer, but with a happy ending. It is about my six month old baby boy diagnosed with Bilateral Retinoblastoma and, in spite of all the troubles this cancer caused, he was with us on his first birthday, cancer free. The invitation above was sent out to family and friends who were supportive during these troubled times. Of course, more than his one-year-old birthday, it was a gathering to celebrate my son's first trip around the sun. One procedure to save his life was to enucleate (remove) one of his eyes. His mother and I talked about how someday he would ask why he only has one eye, when everybody else has two. We agreed to keep a log, writing to him about the events of his life. I began writing to him as soon as possible and continued to do so as close to real time as possible. His mother was invited to contribute, but for her own reasons, never did. The following pages are my words to my son without any editing. I wanted him to know the events and the experiences as raw as they happened. I wanted him to know why I am so very proud of him.