Sick Qld kid finally discharged, mum looks overseas for last resort options

The brave Queensland boy whose transplant bone marrow cells were left on a US tarmac has finally been discharged from hospital, however his mother says his life is in the balance.

The brave Queensland boy whose transplant bone marrow cells were left on a US tarmac has finally been discharged from hospital, with the next 63 days to see if the treatment has worked, leaving his life hanging in the balance.

Mateoh Eggleton had been diagnosed with chronic granulomatous disease in 2019, which was cured with an initial bone marrow transplant in 2020.

However it left him with haemolytic anaemia which required another transplant last month.

After more than a month in isolation in Queensland’s Children’s Hospital, he has finally been discharged and allowed to head home despite his prospects of survival following the transplant not looking good.

Following the bone marrow cells being left in the US, Mateoh underwent the surgery in March, with those cells after they were cleared to be used.

Mateoh Eggleton, 6, with his mother Shalyn. Picture: Nigel Hallett

In a touching video posted to a Facebook page chronicling his journey, medical staff cheered and sang as the six-year-old left the hospital.

His mother Shalyn said this was Mateoh’s last option, after battling illness since he was two.

“He is doing OK, he is just really happy to be home and with his family again,” Ms Eggleton said.

“Unfortunately conditioning hasn’t worked for Mateoh so now we are waiting 65 days to see if his new immune system can stop the haemolytic anaemia.

“This was the last option we had, we have been given some last-ditch treatments that could potentially work, which would include radiation and taking his spleen out.”

While Mateoh has been given some options to prolong his life, Ms Eggleton said she was now looking at overseas hospital that could help her son.

“I am mainly looking at St Judes Children’s Research Hospital in the US and the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore, but financially it is a struggle to get him there and have him treated,” Ms Eggleton said.

“For now I am just pushing for as much family time as we can get, and he is loving it.”

It has been a tough journey for Mateoh, who has undergone numerous operations, including two bone marrow transplants, in a long battle.

He was sworn in as a junior constable last year and a junior firefighter this year, a dream for the young boy who had spent so much time in hospital wards.

And pop superstar Ed Sheeran sang to Mateoh and his family inside his hospital room, while the English singer-songwriter stopped off in Brisbane during his world tour.

Ms Eggleton has created a GoFundMe campaign to support Mateoh’s medical treatment.

Mateoh Eggleton, 6, with his mother Shalyn. Picture: Nigel Hallett