Luke Howe's Care & Recovery Fund
Donation protected
The health of our work colleague, Luke Howe (age 31) deteriorated so much in January this year, it was feared he may not survive.
On Monday January 11, Luke was admitted to the Mackay Base Hospital and then the ICU ward the same day. His condition continued to deteriorate so rapidly, that he was rushed to Townsville University Hospital on January 13. There, after numerous tests he was diagnosed with secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Luke was then put into an induced coma and placed on life support for three weeks, as doctors decided on, and commenced, the best course of treatment for him, which included chemotherapy.
Since being awakened from the induced coma, Luke's condition has continued to improve. He is now out of the ICU ward, and on the oncology ward where he will continue his chemotherapy treatment for the next 19 weeks. HLH is very rare and has a very high mortality rate. As such, Luke still has a long road to recovery in front of him, which includes chemotherapy, blood transfusions and physio.
Luke has been a diesel fitter as part of our maintenance team for almost 10 years. He is a caring guy who gives his work 100%. He is a quick thinker who gets mechanical breakdowns resolved promptly. His friendly nature is missed, and we can’t wait to have him back with the team again.
We realise this will take a while, so as he recovers, we are hoping to help ease the financial burden by raising as much as we can to support Luke and his partner Jade. Obviously, they are unable to work during this time, but the bills will continue to accumulate. Funds donated for Luke’s care and recovery will go toward meeting his immediate living expenses, including the cost of relocation to rental accommodation near the hospital, transportation and food. Any funds not used for immediate living expenses will be used to assist Luke in rebuilding his life and help to ensure he can continue his recovery without the added strain of financial hardship.
Any donation that you can make to help at this time would be greatly appreciated.
ALL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO LUKE. Thank you for your support and generosity.
LUKE'S STORY IN-DEPTH
After months of feeling unwell and finally unable to ingest medication prescribed for his initial diagnosis of Barmah Forest Virus, Luke Howe was admitted to Mackay Base Hospital on Monday January 11th, 2021. His condition quickly deteriorated over the course of that day and hospital staff soon recognised the severity of his condition subsequently, admitting him to ICU. From there, because of the symptoms he was presenting and the rate of his deterioration, he was rushed to Townsville University Hospital on January 13.
On arrival in Townsville, it was apparent to the consulting specialists Luke was suffering from major organ failure and they quickly began a race against the clock to save his life. Throughout the night and into the next day Luke underwent a myriad of tests and finally, with the results of the bone marrow biopsy taken that afternoon, the consulting specialists were able confirm a diagnosis of secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome induced by aberrantly activated macrophages and cytotoxic T cells.
Patients often suffer from recurrent fever, cytopenia, liver dysfunction, and a sepsis-like syndrome that may rapidly progress to terminal multiple organ failure. Subspecialists - in hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, rheumatology/clinical immunology, gastroenterology/hepatology, neurology, emergency medicine, intensive care, and general medicine - are challenged by this rare multifaceted syndrome.
Secondary (acquired) HLH, is commonly triggered by infections or malignancies but may also be induced by autoinflammatory/autoimmune disorders. In Luke’s case, testing revealed the cause to be Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
By the following morning Luke was put into an induced coma and placed on life support, with doctors advising starting him on a course of chemotherapy. Because of his condition, this treatment also presented enormous risks however, without it, doctors informed his family and partner Jade, that Luke would only survive another 2 or 3 days. The decision was made to proceed and not long after that, the doctors were also able to confirm that EBV was the trigger and while there is no cure for this virus, the doctors decided to try and eradicate the virus by targeting his B cells with Rituximab.
There were many times throughout his 3 weeks in ICU we thought we would lose him, the complications caused by this condition are too numerous to mention however, thanks to the tireless efforts of all of the consulting specialists, doctors, registrars and nurses, Luke has been able to make a steady recovery.
Since being awakened from the induced coma, Luke's condition has continued to improve. He is now out of the ICU ward, and on the oncology ward where he will continue his chemotherapy treatment for the next 19 weeks.
Despite the prognosis being bleak throughout the course of the three weeks he was in ICU, Luke’s recovery has astounded everyone, ICU staff included. Luke is now able to walk unaided. His liver and kidney function are continuing to improve so much, that to his delight, he no longer needs dialysis. HLH is very rare and has a very high mortality rate so Luke still has a long road to recovery in front of him, including chemotherapy, blood transfusions and physio.
What Is HLH?
Reference: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/h/hlh/about
HLH stands for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. It is a life-threatening condition that can be defined as either primary or secondary HLH. Primary, or “familial,” HLH is when the condition is inherited. The term secondary HLH is used when your doctor thinks the condition may have occurred for a variety of other non-inherited reasons.
Patients with primary HLH have cells of the immune system called T and NK cells that don’t work properly. These cells become overactive, causing too much inflammation. Ordinarily, these cells should destroy infected, damaged cells of the body. In HLH, the immune system begins to damage the patient’s own tissues and organs, including the liver, brain and bone marrow where blood is made.
Sometimes, doctors can see these angry immune cells “eating” other cells when they look at the bone marrow from a patient using a microscope. This process is called hemophagocytosis.
If you would like to know more about this rare condition, please view the following links.
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6589/familial-hemophagocytic-lymphohistiocytosis
https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/133/23/2465/273833/Recommendations-for-the-management-of
On Monday January 11, Luke was admitted to the Mackay Base Hospital and then the ICU ward the same day. His condition continued to deteriorate so rapidly, that he was rushed to Townsville University Hospital on January 13. There, after numerous tests he was diagnosed with secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Luke was then put into an induced coma and placed on life support for three weeks, as doctors decided on, and commenced, the best course of treatment for him, which included chemotherapy.
Since being awakened from the induced coma, Luke's condition has continued to improve. He is now out of the ICU ward, and on the oncology ward where he will continue his chemotherapy treatment for the next 19 weeks. HLH is very rare and has a very high mortality rate. As such, Luke still has a long road to recovery in front of him, which includes chemotherapy, blood transfusions and physio.
Luke has been a diesel fitter as part of our maintenance team for almost 10 years. He is a caring guy who gives his work 100%. He is a quick thinker who gets mechanical breakdowns resolved promptly. His friendly nature is missed, and we can’t wait to have him back with the team again.
We realise this will take a while, so as he recovers, we are hoping to help ease the financial burden by raising as much as we can to support Luke and his partner Jade. Obviously, they are unable to work during this time, but the bills will continue to accumulate. Funds donated for Luke’s care and recovery will go toward meeting his immediate living expenses, including the cost of relocation to rental accommodation near the hospital, transportation and food. Any funds not used for immediate living expenses will be used to assist Luke in rebuilding his life and help to ensure he can continue his recovery without the added strain of financial hardship.
Any donation that you can make to help at this time would be greatly appreciated.
ALL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO LUKE. Thank you for your support and generosity.
LUKE'S STORY IN-DEPTH
After months of feeling unwell and finally unable to ingest medication prescribed for his initial diagnosis of Barmah Forest Virus, Luke Howe was admitted to Mackay Base Hospital on Monday January 11th, 2021. His condition quickly deteriorated over the course of that day and hospital staff soon recognised the severity of his condition subsequently, admitting him to ICU. From there, because of the symptoms he was presenting and the rate of his deterioration, he was rushed to Townsville University Hospital on January 13.
On arrival in Townsville, it was apparent to the consulting specialists Luke was suffering from major organ failure and they quickly began a race against the clock to save his life. Throughout the night and into the next day Luke underwent a myriad of tests and finally, with the results of the bone marrow biopsy taken that afternoon, the consulting specialists were able confirm a diagnosis of secondary Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a severe hyperinflammatory syndrome induced by aberrantly activated macrophages and cytotoxic T cells.
Patients often suffer from recurrent fever, cytopenia, liver dysfunction, and a sepsis-like syndrome that may rapidly progress to terminal multiple organ failure. Subspecialists - in hematology/oncology, infectious diseases, rheumatology/clinical immunology, gastroenterology/hepatology, neurology, emergency medicine, intensive care, and general medicine - are challenged by this rare multifaceted syndrome.
Secondary (acquired) HLH, is commonly triggered by infections or malignancies but may also be induced by autoinflammatory/autoimmune disorders. In Luke’s case, testing revealed the cause to be Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV).
By the following morning Luke was put into an induced coma and placed on life support, with doctors advising starting him on a course of chemotherapy. Because of his condition, this treatment also presented enormous risks however, without it, doctors informed his family and partner Jade, that Luke would only survive another 2 or 3 days. The decision was made to proceed and not long after that, the doctors were also able to confirm that EBV was the trigger and while there is no cure for this virus, the doctors decided to try and eradicate the virus by targeting his B cells with Rituximab.
There were many times throughout his 3 weeks in ICU we thought we would lose him, the complications caused by this condition are too numerous to mention however, thanks to the tireless efforts of all of the consulting specialists, doctors, registrars and nurses, Luke has been able to make a steady recovery.
Since being awakened from the induced coma, Luke's condition has continued to improve. He is now out of the ICU ward, and on the oncology ward where he will continue his chemotherapy treatment for the next 19 weeks.
Despite the prognosis being bleak throughout the course of the three weeks he was in ICU, Luke’s recovery has astounded everyone, ICU staff included. Luke is now able to walk unaided. His liver and kidney function are continuing to improve so much, that to his delight, he no longer needs dialysis. HLH is very rare and has a very high mortality rate so Luke still has a long road to recovery in front of him, including chemotherapy, blood transfusions and physio.
What Is HLH?
Reference: https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/h/hlh/about
HLH stands for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. It is a life-threatening condition that can be defined as either primary or secondary HLH. Primary, or “familial,” HLH is when the condition is inherited. The term secondary HLH is used when your doctor thinks the condition may have occurred for a variety of other non-inherited reasons.
Patients with primary HLH have cells of the immune system called T and NK cells that don’t work properly. These cells become overactive, causing too much inflammation. Ordinarily, these cells should destroy infected, damaged cells of the body. In HLH, the immune system begins to damage the patient’s own tissues and organs, including the liver, brain and bone marrow where blood is made.
Sometimes, doctors can see these angry immune cells “eating” other cells when they look at the bone marrow from a patient using a microscope. This process is called hemophagocytosis.
If you would like to know more about this rare condition, please view the following links.
https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6589/familial-hemophagocytic-lymphohistiocytosis
https://ashpublications.org/blood/article/133/23/2465/273833/Recommendations-for-the-management-of
Organizer and beneficiary
Dorianne Vassallo
Organizer
Dolphin Heads, QLD
Luke Howe
Beneficiary