Retinoblastoma

It was September 2025, about a month after her daughter Miley turned 2, when she began noticing brief signs of what looked like a lazy eye. After contacting her pediatrician, she was referred to an ophthalmologist, with an appointment scheduled for December.

Because strabismus — commonly known as a “lazy eye” — affects about 2 to 4 percent of young children, according to the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, there was no immediate concern.

Still, as the weeks passed, something didn't sit right.

Then one night in November, while giving Miley a bath, Kristen noticed something she couldn't brush off.

“I noticed she had a white pupil in the bathtub when she looked at me in the light. It looked like a glow in her eye,” the mom tells PEOPLE exclusively. “I panicked and started googling but was trying not to freak myself out.”

Even then, she tried to keep her fears in check.

But later that night, after Miley had gone to sleep, Kristen kept searching — until she came across a story that changed everything.

“I ended up researching after she went to bed and saw an article of a mom that found out her daughter had a tumor on a baby monitor because her daughter's eye was just black,” she says. “I then looked at the monitor and Miley's eye was black.”

In that moment, everything shifted.

Although her husband tried to reassure her, Kristen couldn't shake the feeling something wasn't right.

The next morning, on Nov. 9, the family drove to the emergency room, where her fears were confirmed. There, her daughter was diagnosed with retinoblastoma.

“It was dreadful. I felt alone," Kristen says. "I didn't know anyone with a child with cancer personally. I didn't know anyone with one eye. It was truly scary and I felt so scared for her future.”

Retinoblastoma is a rare type of eye cancer that typically begins in the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye — and most often affects young children, according to the Mayo Clinic. One of the most common warning signs is a white reflection in the pupil, sometimes noticeable in certain lighting or photos.

Just days earlier, life for Kristen and her family had felt steady and full. The 29-year-old, who lives near Cleveland, Ohio, shares a blended household with her husband — whom she met while they were both serving in the Air Force — along with his 13-year-old daughter, their 2½-year-old Miley and their 7-month-old baby. With a master's degree in social work, she was used to being the one helping others.

Less than two weeks later, the next step was clear. On Nov. 21, Miley underwent surgery to remove her eye.

“Her tumor ended up being grade E. Which typically means that the eye needs removed. They don't believe she had vision for a few months. It was hard to process this because she didn't even act like she had vision from one eye.”

In the days that followed, Kristen found herself looking back — wondering if there had been signs she missed.

But there weren't.

“My family and I are very attentive and we had no idea. it's amazing to me how well she adapted.”

And in many ways, Miley never stopped being Miley.

Now 2½, she still fills their home with energy and personality.

“She is so funny and loves to make us laugh, she loves to dance, she is empathetic and feels everyone's emotions around her. She loves princess dresses, painting her nails, all the girl things. But she also loves dinosaurs and helping her dad work with his tools.”

Still, the journey didn't end with surgery.

After doctors performed a biopsy, they determined the cancer had entered a high-risk area — meaning Miley would need chemotherapy.

“They told us she needs 6 rounds of chemo. She has her last round of chemo next month.”

Since then, their lives have revolved around treatment schedules and hospital stays.

“So far, she has needed 2 days of chemo a month. Three days total at the hospital with the last day being de-accessing her port and giving her a shot that helps raise her white blood cell count to help her fight infection during her treatment.”

But for Kristen, the hardest part has been the emotional toll.

“The most challenging part has been watching her be poked and prodded. Having her ask us to ‘just go home.'”

At home, a new routine brought its own challenges.

“We also have had to take out her prosthetic eye and clean it. Put it back in. This has been a hard adjustment for our whole family.”

And yet, through every step, Miley has led the way.

“Miley has blown us away. She has been so positive. She's been resilient. She has truly lead the way with her positivity. She is the strongest person that I know.”

In the midst of it all, Kristen found herself searching for connection — which ultimately led her to start sharing Miley's journey on TikTok.

“I am someone who really thrives having a community when I am going through something. I wanted to share Miley's story to help others who are facing hard times. I also want to give Miley a sense of purpose. So she can see that her hardship has helped others. I also wanted to give Miley a sense of community.”

What started as a way to cope quickly turned into something much bigger.

“Since posting Miley's journey, I have met SO many amazing men and women; girls and boys; with one eye. Miley now has so many people I can connect her with in her life so she never feels alone!”

The response, she says, has helped reshape how she sees the future.

“I have had people share their personal testimonies how having one eye has never stopped them. It has truly helped to give me positivity in something that seemed so so dreadful. The response from everyone else has also been so positive. There has been so much love and support. It's truly helped me to keep going and to be strong.”

At first, going viral came with complicated emotions.

“I felt guilty when she went viral at first. But as I stated, if I didn't, she wouldn't have this huge community of people.”

Now, she sees the impact more clearly.

“I have friends now with kids who have one eye who are her age and I can connect with. She has friends now who can relate with her. I have also had others reach out to me who are just now entering the journey who I have been able to help.”

Looking back, Kristen hopes sharing Miley's story will encourage other parents to trust their instincts.

“I hope people are just aware of the signs. Please, if you see a glow in your child's pupil. Go to the ER. In general, advocate for your kids. You as a parent know best!”

And for parents facing similar situations, she has one message.

“I would say - you are amazing. It's not your fault. Try not to carry guilt because we don't know what we don't know. I, myself, carry guilt for somehow not just KNOWING about this possibly diagnosis and getting her in sooner. But, we can only do what we can with the information we have.”

Jordan Greene

https://people.com/alarming-detail-baby-monitor-days-later-daughter-rare-diagnosis-exclusive-11954332