On 29 July 2005, Doctors gave Wayne MRI scan No.14, and found that his fungal infection was stable. He was administered a further four week course of chemotherapy. Agony ensued as his body again became immunosuppressed.
With the chemotherapy unsuccessful at eliminating the leukaemia, Wayne underwent ten sessions of radiotherapy to his head during September. Though his sense of humour never left him, Wayne grew steadily weaker.
The news that no patient ever wants to hear, and no doctor ever wants to share, became the words of the Haematologist on 19 September. Wayne's body was not responding to any combination of the chemo drugs. He had become resistant. Wayne's leukaemia was now 'incurable'.
At this stage, it was discovered that Wayne's sister, Lynda, was a match for a bone marrow transplant. But as there was only a 5% chance of success, this option was not offered to him. From 28 September, four more weeks of limited chemotherapy were given to Wayne - with a view to keeping his symptoms under control. He underwent this round of chemotherapy from home.
Wayne was admitted urgently to Auckland Hospital with severe pain in his chest on 24 October. Soon afterwards, Wayne's IV infusions of AmBizome were stopped. He was given steroids from that point on and still had no immunity. Even then, the fungal infection never resurfaced - making Wayne and his family firm believers in the effectiveness of Hyperbaric Oxygen treatment (HBO Therapy.
On 10 November, Wayne was transferred by ambulance from Auckland City Hospital to the North Shore Hospice. Wayne's thin, frail form beneath the white sheets was hard to reconcile with the once athletic seventeen year old. Even so, when he was awake, Wayne was alert and conversant with those around him.
On 18 November 2005, nine days after he moved to the hospice and eighteen months after his first diagnosis, Wayne succumbed. Surrounded by his family, their love, their prayers and their tears, Wayne died peacefully from leukaemia. Throughout his eighteen month battle, Wayne's unwavering faith in God was an inspiration to those around him.
But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33