Rockhampton brain cancer battler Patrick Murphy, 4, excited for CapriCon 2022

When little Patrick Murphy fell ill suddenly and was given a diagnosis of cow’s milk protein intolerance, his mother knew in her heart there was more to it. Read about his incredible battle and love for superheroes here.

When little Patrick Murphy fell ill suddenly and was given a diagnosis of cow’s milk protein intolerance, his mother knew in her heart there was more to it.

Patrick’s mother Chontelle Svensen said when Patrick was seven months old he started losing weight rapidly.

“We went to Rockhampton Hospital and they diagnosed him with cow’s milk protein intolerance,” she said.

“We knew that wasn’t right so we went to social media.

“With all the help from social media we travelled down to the Queensland Children’s Hospital in Brisbane and they did an MRI and found a brain tumour.

“He has been on chemotherapy since.”

Chontelle said Patrick was diagnosed with stage 1 pilocytic astrocytoma and underwent brain surgery at just 10 months old, which she described as “a really terrifying experience”.

“They took the tumour out but then within six weeks it grew back bigger,” she said.

“Then he started chemo.

“He was on that for a year and it didn’t work.

“They changed to another two chemos for a year and that didn’t work and now he has been on a drug trial since.”

She said now it was “just a waiting game”.

“This drug trial seems to be shrinking it a little bit every few months so hopefully it continues,” she said.

“They said if they do (surgery) again it’s dangerous because his tumour is in the pituitary gland.

“During his first surgery he had a few complications so he’s got other medical conditions due to it.

Patrick Murphy in his Supertee. Picture: Contributed

“He’s on numerous medications daily to control all that.”

Now at four years old, Patrick is a little fighter who loves superheroes and cannot wait to see all his favourite superheroes come to life at CapriCon Pop Culture Convention this weekend and live out his own superhero fantasy.

CapriCon is the largest pop culture convention in Central Queensland and thousands of pop culture enthusiasts will descend on Rockhampton Showgrounds this Saturday, including little superhero Patrick.

Chontelle said Patrick was obsessed with superheroes and was excited for CapriCon.

“As soon as he sees all the superheroes he absolutely goes crazy for them,” she said.

“Spider-Man is his favourite.”

Patrick Murphy with his mum Chontelle at Rockhampton Showgrounds. Picture: Aden Stokes

In partnership with Central Queensland Containers for Change, CapriCon will help raise money for Supertee, which provides superhero medical garments to children like Patrick in hospital.

Chontelle said having a Supertee made Patrick’s hospital stay that little bit more bearable.

“As soon as he saw it his face just lit up,” she said.

“It has made him feel like a superhero, he absolutely loves it.

Patrick Murphy in his Supertee at Rockhampton Showgrounds. Picture: Aden Stokes

“He’s used to being poked and prodded but the Supertee just makes it that much easier.

“Because of the brain surgery, Patrick can’t eat solids, so he has a nasogastric tube which carries food and medicine to his stomach through the nose.”

Supertee was created by Jason Sotiris, a tradesman whose daughter was diagnosed with cancer at just one year old.

He noticed his daughter would become distressed while in hospital when her clothes became tangled in the lines attached to her tiny body.

Supertee creator Jason Sotiris. Picture: Contributed

“The idea for the Supertee came to me while comforting my daughter Angela who was being treated for a cancer called Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis and I felt helpless not being able to do the simple task of putting clean clothes on her with IV drips, chest monitor cables and central lines making it impossible,” Mr Sotiris said.

“So with absolutely no idea about clothing but with a whole lot of passion I invented a medical garment especially for children, the Supertee.

“So far more than 13,000 Supertees have made their way into hospitals around Australia giving already brave children additional courage, but our dream is to help bring out the Captain America and Captain Marvel in all children in hospital.”

CapriCon is on Saturday, August 27 from 9am to 7pm at Rockhampton Showgrounds.

Visit www.capriconrockhampton.com.au for event updates and to buy tickets and merchandise.