Paul Musgrove Marathon for Elodie & Family

Well that was one hell of challenge physically and mentally, all made worth it by you lovely people. Elodie video messages kept me going as well as you all knowing I didn’t want to let anyone down. Thank you for your generosity and messages. The page will stay open for a few more days. Spread the word, the power of social media has shown it’s good side of life. Elodie is amazing, Kayleigh and Ali are amazing your support and generosity is amazing, this fund raising marathon is for a much needed family who live in Walsham Le Willows. Elodie’s story is one I have followed as a parent and has been heart breaking to watch at times, the strength and courage from Elodie and her family has to be admired. As a family they continue to try and take care of their children and keep a roof over their heads. Please read their story and donate what you can. The marathon will be painful, but nothing compared to what this family have endured. Training is going ok 16 days to go. Ive had to have 10days of training due to a sprained achilles tendon. however this will be worth it to support Elodie and her wonderful family.

Elodie’s journey started on 21st July 2022 when Elodie, aged 4 years and due to start school that September was diagnosed with hepatitis at West Suffolk Hospital. After a traumatic 2 weeks of constant blood tests and her health deteriorating, she went into liver failure and was transferred to Kings College London on 6th August 2022. After 3 weeks Elodie's liver started to recover however her bone marrow was not working as it should and Elodie had to start blood transfusions. Unfortunately, Elodie was then diagnosed with bone marrow failure, the official title is Very Severe Aplastic Anaemia.

Elodie required a bone marrow transplant which was a long and arduous road requiring chemotherapy and complete isolation at Great Ormond Street Hospital for many months. Elodie spent 8 full days at home between 21st July 22 and 18th January 23. Christmas was in hospital away from her little brother Oscar (2 years) who was cared for by his Grandparents so both of Elodie’s parents could support each other and Elodie on her AA Journey down in London.

Elodie is now home and has several more months isolated there. The danger of being exposed to germs can mean prolonged hospital stays and also relapse, so mixing with other people, especially children is very limited as her body cannot fight infection independently - Although it has now been 100 days since Elodie’s bone marrow transplant and the consultants say that the first 100 days are the most risky in terms of failure so this feels like a big deal to have gotten this far. It certainly hasn't been plain sailing, even this week we have had lots of repeated bloods and trips to hospital as Elodie's kidneys don't appear to be very happy with a new medication.

However, Elodie’s infection levels are negative at the moment and just last week her temperature sat at 37.9 (hospital admission at 38°) for 2 hours and then went down, we’re taking that as a sign that the little immune system she has right now is starting to fight off infections that would otherwise have put us in hospital.

Today also marks 8 weeks since our last admission and Elodie has been at home!! That's three whole weeks of being able to sleep in our own beds! This is the longest stint since July last year! ❤️❤️❤️❤️