At just two years old, Dik Putri is fighting an aggressive form of eye cancer that has spread beyond the eye itself. The disease has caused a large tumor to grow across the side of her face and neck. The tumor has taken her vision and made everyday activities such as eating and sitting upright extremely difficult.

Doctors continue to provide specialized care in an effort to slow the progression of the illness and improve her comfort. Her family remains focused on giving her every possible chance while managing the physical and emotional demands of the condition.

Putri’s mother, Nia, works long hours doing laundry to support the household. Despite her efforts, the ongoing costs of treatment, medications, and travel for medical appointments have placed a heavy financial strain on the family. Like many parents caring for a child with advanced cancer, Nia faces the dual challenge of providing constant care while struggling to meet the expenses of specialized treatment.

Cases of advanced eye cancer in young children, most often retinoblastoma when it begins in the eye, can progress rapidly if not detected and treated early. When the disease extends outside the eye, management becomes more complex and often requires a combination of therapies aimed at controlling the tumor and supporting the child’s quality of life.

Putri’s story highlights both the resilience of children facing serious illness and the practical difficulties many families encounter in accessing and affording continuous care. Her mother’s determination to keep seeking treatment reflects the hope that continues to guide the family through each day.

Sources

• Family account shared by Putri’s mother, Nia, describing the progression of the tumor, loss of vision, daily challenges, and financial pressures related to treatment
• Clinical context on advanced pediatric eye cancers (including retinoblastoma that has spread beyond the eye) drawn from standard pediatric oncology references