Hey,
I understand it has been a few weeks since our last post, and for our many faithful friends and family we are so thankful for your consistent prayer and support. To be honest, it has been a very difficult time following the last MIBG scan. The results knocked me, and I struggled to understand how and why… Since the scan Nat and I have had many conversations, and we have talked with family and friends as well as Murphy’s medical team about the situation we find ourselves in. I have LOTS to fill you in with, as our family has had a few big weeks, therefore grab a cup of tea, and read on.
As a family we are believing for Murphy’s Miracle. This fight for Murphy’s life is building faith through bringing us all to our knees. We would love an instant miracle, and the full eradication of Murphy’s cancer, but are continually humbled through this journey and reminded that God’s timing is always perfect. We are so grateful for the many of you who faithfully uphold Murphy in your prayers. Across this world we live in, hundreds (if not thousands) of you regularly pray for a cancer free Murphy. Thank you.
I feel compelled to share with you that our faith and hope we have in God as the ultimate healer and protector of Murphy has not changed. Through many tears shed in the past few weeks, Murphy has brought many more smiles to everyone he meets as well as his siblings! We press on and believe for healing, while growing our:
Unwavering faith.
Confidence in God through the trials.
God-given perseverance through hardship.
In this post I’ll update you on the progress of Murphy’s current treatment, and how we are all going as a family. With school holidays in full flight, I have many photos to share with also, therefore make sure you click on the actual web link to the blog post so that you can see all the photos. A true example of how in EVERY season God gives us so many moments of happiness and things to be thankful for.
Murphy’s next phase of treatment is well under way, and he only has one week left of radiotherapy. He has had 8 sessions of radiotherapy, with 4 more to go. Each morning we have been going into the Royal Adelaide Hospital for Murphy’s treatment and despite the daily nature of it, and the juggling of family in school holidays, this has been the least disruptive phase of treatment for Murphy and our family. The treatment has caused some nausea, vomiting and fatigue, but very minor in comparison to other treatments in the protocol. The biggest obstacle has been the daily General Anaesthetic (GA), that Murphy has needed to stay motionless during the treatment. Waking up from the GA has caused great upset for Murphy, and he generally yells and is distressed and disorientated for an hour or so after treatment. It is heart-breaking watching him so distressed.
Following radiotherapy, the protocol has Immunotherapy beginning in August and finishing around February 2024, if all goes to plan. Coupled with the first round of immunotherapy, Murphy will undergo his fourth MIBG scan, with the hope of a miracle that would see that the cancer has significantly reduced. We have learnt that there is still active cancer in his spine, liver, legs and head that have been slow to respond to chemotherapy. Therefore, we are ALL hopeful that immunotherapy will kill these cancer cells. Beyond medicine, we are in more hope that our Heavenly Father can do what only He can do, and that is miraculously remove cancer.
Nat and I have been hesitant to investigate Google for information about this insidious disease, because cancer this rare and unique and works differently in every child. However, with Murphy being so slow to respond to treatment, it has becoming clear that the medical team would have liked to see his in remission by now. Murphy’s diagnosis of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, with an original score of 27/30 in his first MIBG, and his genetic marker places him in an unfavourable category. This is not to be treated lightly. This cancer is smart, and can rapidly multiply quicker than many other forms of cancer. We are believing for a score of zero in his next MIBG, by the grace of God. However, once in remission, what the doctors have conveyed is that Murphy has an 85% chance of a relapse. (if this is a new statistic for you, it was for us too until very recently; heart-breaking) We are believing God puts Murphy in the 15% category of no relapse. Please pray for Murphy’s future, that it is full and life giving to many who hear of God’s saving power.
Our past month has not all been tough times though! God has gifted our family with so many blessings, too many to share of, therefore here are some highlights!
Make-A-Wish Foundation generously gifted our family tickets to Disney on Ice. A true blessing to watch and share of the fun as a family.
With chemotherapy finishing, Murphy’s hair has started to grow back, which is super cute, Nat and myself and the other three kids are obsessed with playing with it!! Murphy is as relaxed about it as ever though!
An amazing friend from our church generously gifted her time to take some family pictures, and these snaps are truly a great memory to look back on in years to come and to celebrate this journey.
Nat and I have celebrated our 13th wedding anniversary last week. This anniversary hit a little different to previous ones, but Nat and I had the most amazing dinner out laughing and talking about God’s blessings over the past 13 years.
The family was able to go to the movies and see Elemental. Murphy loved it and sat motionless for the whole movie!
Our local church has been one of the biggest blessings to our family. They have cared for is in so many ways. Upon receiving the news of the last MIBG score, the lead pastor called for each of the campuses to pray specifically for Murphy and for a miracle. Thousands of people pausing their normal Sunday church service to press into prayer for our boy. At our campus, Ps Alice lead this powerful time of prayer, and shared a word with us Habbakuk 2:20, “BUT, THE LORD.” These three words are littered throughout the Bible. They often follow a tragedy or a failed outcome, but these words redirect our eyes and mind to the one true creator of all things. Murphy may still have active cancer, BUT, THE LORD is his comfort. Murphy may have an 85% chance of relapse, BUT, THE LORD will give him a full life. Murphy’s body has had a mountain of treatment these past 10 months, BUT, THE LORD still gives him joy and strength! Amen.
One final story to share. Through these hard times for our three other children, we have seen God still protect them and care for them. Calista has done so well with her friends, and serving in Kids Church, and applying herself in her dance. Ted has overcome so much through school, friends and sport and has brought great joy to us all. Hugo has also done so well as a big brother to Ted and Murphy and has a soft heart from his family. Hugo has also maintained great friendships and overcome many challenges through school and sport. However, as a dad, seeing your children go through the waters of baptism gives you so much delight and joy. Even in the hardest times for our family, Hugo wanted to be baptised and publicly declare his faith in God. Wow, this was a moment to remember for life! God still works in the strangest of ways and in the times when you would least expect. I am so thankful to God for finding moments to still bless our family!
