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Published on: 9/18/2007
Last Visited: 9/18/2007
Survival rates for Murphy's particular disease, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, in his age range are about 80 percent to 90 percent, said his doctor, Sanjay Ahuja, an assistant professor of pediatrics specializing in hematology/oncology at University of Louisville School of Medicine.
While Murphy is in remission, he still must take a chemotherapy pill daily and receives additional chemotherapy treatment through a port in his chest and into his spinal fluid at four- and 12-week intervals, said Hope.If everything goes according to plan, he will complete treatment in November 2008.Until then there will be more pain-filled days, in which his body hurts so badly that he will shy away from human touch.Nerve pain is a side effect of one of his medications.