Two weeks ago, Madison Tully was not sure she would live.
Madison, 16, is one of only 12 people in the world who is fighting both sickle cell anemia and lupus.
The risks were especially high for Madison because the only hope of recovery was a bone marrow transplant from a family member, but she was adopted.
Now doctors think she will make a full recovery thanks to a bone marrow donation from Madison’s biological sister, Jasmin Thomas.
“She is recovering well…she still has a little ways to go and some more time to spend in the hospital, but we’re hoping that this is it and she will be cured,” said Roxanne Tully, Madison’s mother.
Jasmin, 17, underwent the painful donation in order to save a sister who she has only known for a few years.
This is the first time that a bone marrow transplant has been used to try to cure both diseases at once.
Doctors were skeptical that even a sibling would be a perfect transplant match because Madison’s biological parents were of mixed race, but when Jasmin stepped forward, she was found to be an ideal match.
Now the excruciating pain that Madison has suffered since her diagnosis in March is finally starting to ease.
“My pain has been reduced since my transplant and I am looking forward to being completely pain free. Every day, I feel a little bit better,” Madison said. “I want to thank everyone who has been praying for me – the prayers are working.”
Madison was a sophomore at Destrehan High School before she began to get sick.
In November 2009, she was hospitalized with gallbladder problems. After having her gallbladder removed, doctors discovered lupus that was affecting her kidney.
“Lupus was making her sicker because it was fighting for control and the sickle cell was fighting for control too,” Roxanne said.
Madison underwent 10 days of chemotherapy and intense drug regiments that caused her to lose her hair and gain 30 pounds.
But her parents, Roxanne and Jeff Tully, say that Madison is handling the situation with courage.
“She was okay with the hair loss. It started falling out in clumps so she said ‘Let’s just shave it off,’” Roxanne said.
The Tully family said that the St. Charles community’s prayers are what have helped them through this rough time.
“There’s a lot of prayer that’s been involved in this whole process and that’s what actually is sustaining us,” Jeff said.
The community rallied around Madison and her family when the diagnosis came in. St. Charles Borromeo held a 24-hour prayer vigil that hundreds of people attended and St. Charles Catholic High School, where Madison attended 9th grade, also made a strong show of support.
The family even had bracelets made with Madison’s name on them and gave them to everyone who said they had prayed for Madison – about 800 people.
“A lot of people are wearing them…they’re for all these people who have asked us what they could do and we said pray,” Jeff said.
Madison’s parents also started a non-profit organization called Peace on Earth to help parents of sick children.
“We researched and there’s really nothing out there for parents of sick children. Sometimes kids with cancer, when they go home their house has to be totally professionally cleaned, and that’s expensive,” Jeff said. “It’s something that we wanted to start to help other parents who have sick children. It’s not about us, it’s about how we can help people in the future who are going through all this.”
Donations for Peace on Earth LLC can be sent to P.O. Box 728, Destrehan, LA 70047.
Be the first to comment