Prayers

[sheriee84]

Hey Guys,
I know that we just won a series against Derick Fisher, who we have had issues with in the past (e.g. .4 second shot clock), But he and his wife are going through ANY parent's nightmare. His baby girl is undergoing treatment in NY for a rare form of eye cancer. Let's put aside our issues with him and offer up our prayers and best wishes for his daughter and family.
God Bless

[whottt]

I don't think most Spursfans have issues with Derek Fisher, just .4. I think most respect him.

But you are absolutely right...his daughter's problem is bigger than any basketball game or some past big shot he hit against us...there's just no comparison there. I can't imagine what eye cancer must be like and what that little girl must be going through...she is definitely in my prayers. And Derek Fisher definitely has my heartfelt sympathy.

[milkyway21]

yes, I'm thinking about that too!

my prayers for his daughter's successful treatment and recovery.

:angel :angel :angel

[The_Worlds_finest]

hmm I hope the doctors performing the surgury do thier best with the years of education they busted thier ass to master and I hope for a speedy recovery of the child and that the fish and his wife be strong

[efrem1]

Here, here.

[carina_gino20]

true. just like what Rob always says, "It's just a game."

Prayers to Fisher and his family.

[tsb2000]

No doubt. I'd take DFish on the Spurs any day. Dude's got serious heart, and truth be told, .4 was proof of that. Prayers for his family.

[twincam]

Likewise. It's not Fisher's fault for hitting that .4 second shot. The refs counted the shot, not him. He just put up a desperation shot, and it went in. It's not him to hate. Things happen for a reason. Plain and simple.

I do sympathize for his daughter's condition. No human being should suffer at all. Fisher is a very emotional individual and it shows. He's got a big heart and everyone knows it. He's luck simply wasn't with him this season. He is the type of player San Antonio can really use. All work and all heart.

[foodie2]

In case you want to know more about this condition, here's the pertinent info from the Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. (Can't help it, I'm a medical librarian, and I'm compelled to educate you :) )


Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor of the retina that occurs predominantly in young children. The eye has three layers, the sclera, the choroid, and the retina. The sclera is the outer protective white coating of the eye. The choroid is the middle layer and contains blood vessels that nourish the eye. The front portion of the choroid is colored and is called the iris. The opening in the iris is called the pupil. The pupil is responsible for allowing light into the eye and usually appears black. When the pupil is exposed to bright light it contracts (closes), and when it is exposed to low light conditions it dilates (opens) so that the appropriate amount of light enters the eye. Light that enters through the pupil hits the lens of the eye. The lens then focuses the light onto the retina, the innermost of the three layers. The job of the retina is to transform the light into information that can be transmitted to the optic nerve, which will transmit this information to the brain. It is through this process that people are able to see the world around them.

Occasionally a tumor, called a retinoblastoma, will develop in the retina of the eye. Usually this tumor forms in young children but it can occasionally occur in adults. Most people with retinoblastoma develop only one tumor (unifocal) in only one eye (unilateral). Some, however, develop multiple tumors (multifocal) in one or both eyes. When retinoblastoma occurs independently in both eyes, it is then called bilateral retinoblastoma.

Occasionally, children with retinoblastoma develop trilateral retinoblastoma. Trilateral retinoblastoma results from the development of an independent brain tumor that often forms in a part of the brain called the pineal gland. In order for retinoblastoma to be classified as trilateral retinoblastoma, the tumor must have developed independently and not as the result of the spread of the retinal cancer. The prognosis for trilateral retinoblastoma is quite poor.

The retinal tumor which characterizes retinoblastoma is malignant, meaning that it can metastasize (spread) to other parts of the eye and eventually other parts of the body. In most cases, however, retinoblastoma is diagnosed before it spreads past the eye to other parts of the body (intraocular) and the prognosis is quite good. The prognosis is poorer if the cancer has spread beyond the eye (extraocular).

Retinoblastoma can be inherited or can arise spontaneously. Approximately 40° of people with retinoblastoma have an inherited form of the condition and approximately 60° have a sporadic (not inherited) form. Individuals with multiple independent tumors, bilateral retinoblastoma, or trilateral retinoblastoma are more likely to be affected with the inherited form of retinoblastoma.

Approximately 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 30,000 infants in Western countries are born with retinoblastoma, making it the most common childhood eye cancer. It is, however, a relatively rare childhood cancer and accounts for approximately 3° of childhood cancers. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 300-350 cases of retinoblastoma occur in the United States each year.

Retinoblastoma is found mainly in children under the age of five but can occasionally be seen in older children and adults. Retinoblastoma is found in individuals of all ethnic backgrounds and is found equally frequently in males and females. The incidence of bilaterial retinoblastoma in the United States is thought to be slightly higher among black children than among either Caucasian or Asian American children.

Prognosis...I believe I read that Fisher's daughter has the intraocular form, which is good news.


Individuals with intraocular retinoblastoma who do not have trilateral retinoblastoma usually have a good survival rate with a 90° chance of disease-free survival for five years. Those with extraocular retinoblastoma have less than a 10° chance of disease-free survival for the same amount of time. Trilateral retinoblastoma generally has a very poor prognosis. Patients with trilateral retinoblastoma who receive treatment have an average survival rate of approximately eight months, while those who remain untreated have an average survival rate of approximately one month. Patients with trilateral retinoblastoma who are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis may have a better prognosis then those who experience symptoms.

[BlackFlagg]

I've been praying since I first heard the news. Godspeed to the Fisher family.

[sheriee84]

Thanks for the info foodie.... i was curious about that...