In July 2018, 11-year old Micky was diagnosed with a very rare, high-risk leukaemia known as Early T-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia or ETP-ALL. Prior to diagnosis Micky was a promising motocross rider with a passion for bikes.
Treatment
While leukaemia is generally considered treatable, ETP has a very poor prognosis, so doctors advised Micky’s parents to start making happy memories with him.
Micky received high-dose chemotherapy three times a week, and high doses of steroids. He also had blood and platelet transfusions, and daily visits from community nurses. The side effects were especially difficult for him as an 11 year old boy - he gained weight and his blonde hair fell out.
A Big Surprise
Three months into Micky’s treatment, his parents were told his chances of survival were very low and to expect the worst and start making memories. He underwent another bone marrow test and the results were most unexpected… Micky was cancer free!
If the cancer ever came back there would be very little doctors could do, so to prevent a recurrence, Micky had a bone marrow transplant, as well as eight rounds of radiation and another high dose of chemotherapy.
Treatment
While leukaemia is generally considered treatable, ETP has a very poor prognosis, so doctors advised Micky’s parents to start making happy memories with him.
Micky received high-dose chemotherapy three times a week, and high doses of steroids. He also had blood and platelet transfusions, and daily visits from community nurses. The side effects were especially difficult for him as an 11 year old boy - he gained weight and his blonde hair fell out.
A Big Surprise
Three months into Micky’s treatment, his parents were told his chances of survival were very low and to expect the worst and start making memories. He underwent another bone marrow test and the results were most unexpected… Micky was cancer free!
If the cancer ever came back there would be very little doctors could do, so to prevent a recurrence, Micky had a bone marrow transplant, as well as eight rounds of radiation and another high dose of chemotherapy.
“It was very hard to watch but Micky smiled and joked all the way through, he had strength that made me beam with pride”
The Fight Continues
A few weeks after his transplant, doctors gave the dreaded news that the transplant wasn’t working and a search for a new donor began. Doctors began testing Micky’s siblings, but before they could go ahead with a second transplant, the first one started to work!
Micky has been in isolation at Great Ormond Street Hospital since November 2018, during which time his weight has dropped to four and a half stone. Though he remains a high risk, doctors are still confident that he has a good chance of recovery.
A few weeks after his transplant, doctors gave the dreaded news that the transplant wasn’t working and a search for a new donor began. Doctors began testing Micky’s siblings, but before they could go ahead with a second transplant, the first one started to work!
Micky has been in isolation at Great Ormond Street Hospital since November 2018, during which time his weight has dropped to four and a half stone. Though he remains a high risk, doctors are still confident that he has a good chance of recovery.
“Being stuck in isolation has been bleak and heart wrenching. I have never felt so useless as a parent and felt so out of control”
Micky is not allowed to go to school for a whole year following his transplant, and he needs to be in isolation for six months while he recovers. After everything he has been through, he finds it hard to do a lot of the things we normally take for granted, but his parents are just grateful to have him. They have faith that Micky will go from strength to strength and that his courage and determination will get him through.
How We Helped
Regular trips to and from hospital, as well as hospital parking, and food and drink during stays are very expensive. Micky’s diet was very specific, so the cost of food shopping also increased when he was at home. Thanks to your support, we were able to supporting Micky’s family financially during his fight. We also held a birthday card appeal for Micky's 12th birthday. Micky personally opened every single one, and they really helped to make his birthday extra-special while he was stuck in isolation.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of our fundraisers and donors whose support enabled us to help Micky's family finanically, also to everyone who sent cards and gifts for his birthday, and to the staff of Nuffield Health in Fulham who sent a wonderful video message for Micky too! Thank you also to Matt's Missions who joined us in the birthday card campaign, and sent us a massive parcel full of cards sent by their supporters too!
How We Helped
Regular trips to and from hospital, as well as hospital parking, and food and drink during stays are very expensive. Micky’s diet was very specific, so the cost of food shopping also increased when he was at home. Thanks to your support, we were able to supporting Micky’s family financially during his fight. We also held a birthday card appeal for Micky's 12th birthday. Micky personally opened every single one, and they really helped to make his birthday extra-special while he was stuck in isolation.
THANK YOU!
Thank you to all of our fundraisers and donors whose support enabled us to help Micky's family finanically, also to everyone who sent cards and gifts for his birthday, and to the staff of Nuffield Health in Fulham who sent a wonderful video message for Micky too! Thank you also to Matt's Missions who joined us in the birthday card campaign, and sent us a massive parcel full of cards sent by their supporters too!
*Update*
We are deeply saddened to announce that Micky lost his fight on Saturday 13th April 2019, while at home with his family.
A special thank you to everyone that took the time to post a card, send a message or make a donation to put a smile on his beautiful face. We hope Micky rests peacefully and send our love to all Micky's family, friends and loyal supporters.
We are deeply saddened to announce that Micky lost his fight on Saturday 13th April 2019, while at home with his family.
A special thank you to everyone that took the time to post a card, send a message or make a donation to put a smile on his beautiful face. We hope Micky rests peacefully and send our love to all Micky's family, friends and loyal supporters.
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