Coping With Cancer: Dad Shows Love And Heartache In Daughter’s Last Eyelash

Parents usually share their children's milestones like their first tooth, haircut or even first day in school. However, what Andrew Brown shared did not only show his love for his daughter but also his pain. Understandably, a photo of the last eyelash of his daughter stirred many emotions.

Headlines News reported how Brown captured the last eyelash of his 7-year-old daughter Hayley Brown. The eyelash was the only one that remained as a result of Hayley's intensive treatment for cancer. Hayley was suffering from a type of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma.

Hayley's nasal passage tumor already measured two inches when she was diagnosed with cancer in June. Her family decided to subject her to several operations as well as a cancer treatment in the form of chemotherapy and radiation. Today reported how Haley spent her 7th birthday in Melbourne, Australia's Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne and her family was with her all the way.

According to the National Cancer Institute, rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of cancer that forms in the soft tissue such as the muscles. It also grows in the bone or connective tissue like the cartilage. In children, this type of sarcoma can form in many body parts.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is classified into embryonal, alveolar and anaplastic, which is not common among children.The continuous growth of a lump among children can be a sign of rhabdomyosarcoma but it helps to undergo a biopsy to get a proper diagnosis.

It is ironic that while Brown, who is a comedian and has to make people laugh for a living, is crying on the inside because of the suffering of his daughter. Herald Sun  reported how the photo that was captioned, "That one last eyelash has been hanging on, on it's own, for a few weeks now" had captured the sympathy of those who use the social media platforms.

Brown was overwhelmed since he only expected to get some likes or emojis ranging from a sad face or a heart. It is heartbreaking to know that after three weeks, his daughter's last eyelash fell and gave up.