Morgon Emory - An Update On His Progress With His Battle Through Leukiema

On Thursday, January 26th, 2012, my 15 year old cousin finally reached the day they had been working so hard to get to. Day Zero! The transplant and transfusion of all new cells in his body. These new cells are supposed to attack the "disease" in Mo and help his body to recover from all that it has been through. One day at a time to "Get Mo Better".

I've done two previous hubs on my cousin Morgon Emory. If you would like to read them please follow the links below.

Since his transfusion it's been a bit of a rough road but it is still the downhill slide of his treatment so hopefully this is all just getting out of his system.

Here's a little rundown on his progress so far

• January 29th - Mo started to get the mucositis sores in his throat and mouth but hasn't had any nausea which is a great thing! He's got pain in his ankles and a little in his hands. Pretty much everything he is experiancing up to this point has been what the Doctors have expected.
• January 31st - Mo started running some fevers and has been jaundice. Still has pain in his ankles.
• February 2nd - Morgon had a rough night last night. He ran some pretty high fevers and ended up needing the cannulas up his nose to offer him some oxygen. Fevers were running from the 103-195 range. He started seeing "blood spots" in his eyes and had some hemorrhaging behind the eyes which is from the low platelets. Only getting those platelets up there will help with that. He had some swelling behind the eyes, so he went down for an MRI just so they can get a closer look at that. More of those unfortunate side effects.
• February 4th - Mo was having hallucinations since Wednesday night (Feb 1st) and they have just been getting worse. There is still a lot of pain in his hands, ankles and feet. He is still in need of oxygen but his lungs look good.
• February 6th - Morgons white blood cell count was at 0.1 today! His platelets and hemoglobin have been looking quite nice as well. He still requires platelet transfusions but that is because they would like them to be at at least 30 (normal protocol of BMT is 10) since he has the kidney stent. Mo still is having hallucinations. Had a lumbar puncture. His fevers have trended down nicely.
• February 8th - DAY +13!!!! Mo's white cell count was at 0.4! Grow Cells Grow!!! His whole body feels "achy" and hurts all over. Still has a lot of pain in his hands and feet. Started showing a bit of a rash.
• February 9th - Morgon's rash is on his back, arms, legs and a little on his torso. Pretty much everywhere! The doctors think it is GVHD (Graft vs Host Disease.) They took a biopsy of his skin to verify that's what it is, but clinically, that's what it looks like. The good part, is that people who tend to get it have less chance for relapse with their cancer. The bad part, is that he is at a higher risk for infection. He is on steroid meds for this and hopefully it helps.

Although it's only been a couple of weeks since he started on this new journey the Doctors say it is going like it should be. Morgon will be 16 years old soon. His birthday is on February 21st. What a bad way to spend your 16th birthday but hopefully it's all worth it. I wish there was something we could do for him to let him know all the thoughts and prayers are going his way. I got the OK from his Mom, Jerrie Emory, to send lots of birthday cards his way. Send them to Morgon Emory at:

University of MN Amplatz Children's Hospital
2450 Riverside Ave. S
C4142
Minneapolis, MN 55454

And please feel free to ask your friends and family to do the same. Your 16th birthday is supposed to be something you remember for a long time. Let's help make Mo's worth remembering!!!