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Sue's eye cancer shock
WHEN Sue Hindmarsh went to her optician for a routine eye check little did she know it would save her life.
Though Sue, 47, was in good health, she called into Specsavers for a quick examination – where optometrist Ruth Moore spotted something amiss.
After being referred to hospital for further tests, Sue was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer behind her left eye.
Sue, who only wears glasses to watch TV, said: "When the doctor told me I had a cancerous tumour behind my eye I couldn't believe how many things I was feeling.
"I thought I was going to lose my sight, that the cancer would move into my brain, and I couldn't think of anyone else who'd been through anything similar.
"I felt like I was underwater.
"Then the doctor reversed back over me and told me I would have to go elsewhere for treatment."
Sue, who works for Sunderland City Council, was referred to the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital in Liverpool at the end of last year.
Her initial examination was last October but she returned in January and underwent proton beam radiation therapy, and is waiting for further test results.
Sue, who lives in Farringdon, said: "I'm told there is a 95 per cent chance that I will be OK, and a maximum 25 per cent chance that I will lose some of the sight in my eye.
"I am just so thankful that this was spotted early.
"I don't know what made me go to the optician that day, but even if I'd left it for a week or two, the mark from the haemorrhage that Ruth spotted could have faded away.
"I feel like I've been so lucky."
Without early detection, the malignant melanoma could have progressed past the point of treatment without Sue showing any symptoms.
Ruth Moore, 24, qualified as an optometrist less than two years ago, and came to work for Sunderland Specsavers straight away.
She said: "This is the first time anything like this has happened.
"I saw a small lesion which was quite distinct and I knew it wasn't meant to be there, so I quickly contacted Sue's doctor and she was referred to the hospital.
"It feels good to know I have helped and makes the job seem worthwhile.
"I really don't think people realise what an eye examination can show up.
"Whether you wear glasses or not you should still have a check up every couple of years.
"Half an hour with an optician could save your life."
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
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