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Since then, little Sariyah has been diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma. Retinoblastoma is, according to the St. Jude's web site, a rare form of cancer affecting about 250-300 children each year. It \"typically develops in children before 5 years of age. This cancer develops in the retina -- the part of the eye that helps a person see color and light. Retinoblastoma may affect one or both eyes. In about two-thirds of all cases only one eye is affected,\" the website reads.

There's been strides forward and steps back for the 17-month-old and her family. Though the toddler was released from the hospital and sent home in late September, there's cause for concern: a tiny spot in her left eye that had been laser treated has returned. At the same time, the tumor in her right eye, the one with the large glow, is shrinking.

Martin wrote in her most recent Instagram update, \"We are so early in this but ... days are mentally draining, because you just never know what they are going to find. It’s hard and it’s scary. If I allow myself to really think about it, if something happens to the good eye, then there’s still so many risks with the right eye. It’s a never ending battle of what ifs right now.\"

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I spent most of yesterday trying to process everything, and wanted to wait until I could talk to the doctors today. You may not remember but she had a tiny spot in her left eye in the beginning that they used laser treatment on. Since she has bilateral retinoblastoma we knew there was a chance of tumor recurrence at any time in both eyes. But everything was going good, the tumor in the right eye is shrinking and we were so excited. Which is why yesterday was a gut punch for us. They have found a spot in the left eye. At this time they don’t know if it’s a tumor or something else. As doctors they have to prepare us for everything including the worst case scenario, which is that it could put her at risk of vision loss in that eye. We are so early in this but EUA days are mentally draining, because you just never know what they are going to find. It’s hard and it’s scary. If I allow myself to really think about it, if something happens to the good eye, then there’s still so many risks with the right eye. It’s a never ending battle of what ifs right now. A complete stranger on social media told me this is the risks of eye cancer and to expect the possibility of blindness. But that’s so easy to say to someone on the outside looking in and quite frankly you just don’t say that, because yes I know that but it’s still hard. No one wakes up wanting their child to lose their vision. But I won’t allow my thoughts to go there, I’ll try to fix my vision on the One who is good. I’ll keep praying, pleading, and asking others to pray for a complete and miraculous healing that only God can do. And after talking with the doctor I feel a little more relieved. They are so proactive and whatever it is, it was caught early. They are doing a FULL work up which will give us answers moving forward. However, we won’t have answers for a few weeks. Everyone knows how hard waiting can be, so I ask that you please pray it’s nothing serious at all. And she did great with the chemo which means she is COMING HOME TODAY! THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!! 🎉Chemo course 3/11 is DONE, baby girl isn’t playing around!She’s handling it like a boss, with a smile on her face & God’s grace❤

A post shared by @ raisingthemartins on Sep 24, 2020 at 11:20am PDT

Sariyah is \"so happy,\" her mom said, \"You wouldn't even know she is going through this,\" she said, referring to hospital stays and chemotherapy. \"Even when it makes her sick and she has a fever she's still playing with her siblings,\" Martin told \"GMA.\"

Friends and neighbors have stepped up to help the family through this difficult time, something Martin said has touched her. From meal trains to a car, \"there are so many good people in the world,\" she told \"GMA.\"

She's hopeful sharing her Sariyah's story, which she does both on Instagram and Facebook. will encourage mothers to follow their instincts when it comes to their children's health. \"Mothers know,\" she said.

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