Tomorrow Murphy goes in for his fourth MIBG test. This is the main test which indicates how much cancer Murphy has in his little body. If you are new to reading this blog, you may now know that Murphy began his cancer battle in September 2022, and he received a score of 27/30 on his diagnostic MIBG test, resulting in a stage 4 diagnosis. Cancer was riddled through his body in a way unimaginable. Murphy’s scans had shadows and black marks from the top of his head, through to the soles of his feet. After horrendous, sickening, and intensive Chemotherapy treatment, Murphy then scored a 10/30. In June of 2023, following Surgery, and dual Stem Cell Transplants and high dose chemotherapy, Murphy’s third MIBG scored a 6/30. It was at that point Nat had to be asked if we wanted to continue treatment as prognosis and outcomes in a medical sense did not look promising.
A question no mother should ever be asked.
Nat answered the doctor with a firm, “of course we will continue treatment, we will treat for cure, nothing less.”
With that level of faith, Nat and I have witnessed the inner strength of Murphy shine. Murphy punched his fist high in the sky when we told him that there were ‘less lumps’ in his body. Yet, Nat and I were fighting off tears as we delivered this news, knowing that the journey ahead for Murphy was going to get much harder because we are nearing the end of the treatment protocol. Since June, Murphy has had radiotherapy and one round of immunotherapy and we are believing that tomorrow will be a GREAT day to celebrate his healing.
Our hands are out, holdings yours, in unity, prayerfully asking God to show off His miracle working power!
He’s done it before, He can do it again.
This lyric has pulled me through some tough moments, knowing and resting on the fact that God has performed some spectacular miracles before and now we can rest on the fact that He can do it again. Our church has produced a worship album unlike any other; full of hope and melodies that fill your world with great encouragement. Over these past few months, I have found myself standing in worship at church a complete mess as I let go of our family’s situation and look to the creator of the heavens and earth. There can be a lot said for lifting our gaze from ourselves and onto God. The more you do, the more you begin to appreciate everything.
Thankyou God for the air I breathe.
Kidneys…
They’re the little filters in our bodies which punch well above their weight. This week Murphy’s kidneys have shown signs of being hurt by all of the medication and treatment. Something that his oncologists and Renal team are calling Acute Kidney Injury. Murphy has been admitted this week for a few days to get on top of his high blood pressure and poor readings of his blood and impaired kidney function. This has been another serious side effect of his intensive treatment that now doctors have to manage. Please pray for a return of full function for his kidneys.
Murphy’s 5th birthday is tomorrow. September 1. A day of mixed emotion. Joy on one hand celebrating life, but sadness on the other, reflecting about the Murphy we knew on September 1 last year. Murphy last year was bouncing off the walls, enjoying pre-school and splashing in the pool. These past 12 months have matured him and made him grow up in a way a four-year-old boy should never have to. Sometimes Nat and I do struggle to look back at photos of last year before his diagnosis and talk about memories and sometimes grieve the innocence he had, and the happy healthy boy we remember. This year has seen murphy endure:
Countless tears.
Worried nights.
Long stays.
Constant alarms.
Hopeful tests.
Heartbreaks.
Weary spirits.
Pain.
Disappointment.
But, The Lord. This phrase points us to what God has done. In faith we have tears from joy, comfort in the waiting and confidence for the eventual victory! Our God will keep our boy on this planet for many more years to come.
Murphy will live a full life.
Murphy will get married.
Murphy will have a family of his own.
Murphy will be strong.
Murphy will be healthy.
Murphy will be a walking Miracle – He will run like Sonic.
Happy Birthday, Murphy.
From me to you, Murphy. When you read this one day know that mum and I are so proud of you. You have shown us how to be brave, have faith, and overcome any obstacle. You’ve shown us what it is like to choose joy and have hope. You have made us smile, laugh, and focus on what matters most. Murphy, we love you so much!