Six weeks ago Lachie was taken to hospital with a suspected broken nose when it was discovered that he was very sick and that his life was in the balance. At the time Lach was on an extended overseas family trip taken a few years after his father died unexpectedly in a plane crash. With cousins in South Africa it was a time to start afresh. He is 10 years old.
Since then he has endured countless blood tests and received about 7 blood transfusions to keep him alive as the specialists investigated his condition. Initially diagnosed with Aplastic Anaemia it was feared that he would not be able to travel home due to the risk of air travel for him, however, conditions in SA were equally as life threatening and it was recommended by specialists in Sydney that he get home immediately.
On July 25, Lachlan landed in Sydney and was immediately admitted to the Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick. He is in the care of an amazing team who diagnosed him with Very Severe Aplastic Anaemia. This is a rare, and potentially life threatening disease that results from failure of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. A decrease in the production of these blood cells means the patient has no immunity, is at risk of infection and bleeding into the brain. A person with this disease cannot be exposed to any germs, mould, rot, common household bacteria, even spores found in dirt and plants as these can all cause severe infection and fatality.
Lach contracted the disease by using a shampoo that treats head lice containing the potentially deadly chemical 'Gamma Benzine'. We have since learned that this product is banned in 52 countries around the world but sold freely over the counter in South Africa as a recommended product to treat head lice.
Treatment includes chemotherapy, immunosuppressive drug therapy, and a bone marrow transplant from a sibling match (if there is one. Statistics indicate a 25% chance for sibling match.) Amazingly, his 8 year old brother Jonathan was a perfect match,meaning that his blood levels were an almost identical match to Lachlan. Transplant occurred on Tuesday August 26
