Hey,
A short post to keep you up to speed with Murphy’s progress. Murphy’s high dose chemotherapy finished last Wednesday, with a rest day on Thursday. Friday saw the stem cell transplant take place, which contained 2.5 million cells go into his body. This really was an incredible process to witness, both Nat and got extremely emotional watching Murphy’s chance at “new life” being put into his body. Murphy himself was quite emotional during this time, say he cannot wait to have “new cells, with no sick lumps in them”. Thank you to everyone who prayed for this transplant process. It was a moment we will remember forever and celebrate in Murphy’s miracle journey.
Murphy’s infusion of life-giving stem cells!
On Friday night there seemed to be some complications, with a rash appearing late at night. Murphy’s pain began to increase, and here in lies the expected complications of high dose chemo and transplant process. By Saturday Murphy’s bloodwork numbers had plummeted and pain increasing. The rash was put down to a possible reaction to the chemical that is used to preserve the stem during the harvesting and freezing process. The pain, which was severe in the mouth, throat and stomach has been a result of mucositis. This condition is a result of chemotherapy and very common with high doses of chemo. It is unimaginable the pain our boy feels. Murphy slept most of today and has been heavily sedated to cope. He has been given three new pain medications to help curb the discomfort he is in. Unfortunately, today he has also spiked a fever, which has resulted in further treatment to help combat that possible infection, while doctors are also carefully managing the clots he has developed on his lungs.
After a very big week of chemo, Murphy is encountering much pain.
Outside of medical speak, how is Murphy going?
This is often a question Nat and I get asked, ‘how is he?’ And to answer that, we keep coming back to an answer that will never change. He is a strong, brave, and joyful boy. He cares deeply for us, and when he sits up to expel one of his chesty coughs, he gives us a thumbs up, this is his way of saying to his mum and dad “I’m ok, this isn’t going to be a vomit” and he has a fighting spirit to keep pushing on. As his parents we are inspired by him. We keep our eyes on the success of the transplant, but know that the current reality is that Murphy’s situation is one of pain and suffering while in the trenches. However, the battle is far from over, and the victory will be so much sweeter.
Please pray for the following:
· Pain to subside.
· Mucositis to go away in record time – he could be in this state for 2-4 weeks.
· Blood clots in his lungs to dissipate.
· Increased energy, at present he can’t stay awake and engage with you longer than 15 minutes.
· He hasn’t eaten for 8 days now, and is on TPN, but this is only a temporary solution.
· The stem cells to find their home and ACTIVATE asap! (Doctors say they could take 20 days, but I hope it only takes God 2 days)
This was one of his 20+ baths he had to have in the first few days of high dose chemo
A special prayer as well for Murphy’s siblings, because each of them have shown in their unique way that they deeply miss him and want their family unit back to normal and under the same roof.
Finally, thank you for your many messages of support from the last post! I have been reading these to Murphy and it has brought such a calming peace to the hospital room! Also, this week we have had many family and friends drop off meals, deliver care packages, share encouraging words and look after the kids, thank you!
The medical scientists who looked after the stem cell infusion
Murphy holding his empty stem cell bag!
