Fighting for his young life

Photo: Contributed

It's every parent's nightmare: your child is diagnosed with a serious medical condition.

For Kelowna couple Daylene and Mack Murtland, that nightmare became reality when their infant son, Rory Milo, was diagnosed with cancer shortly after his first birthday, earlier this month.

The Murtlands' lives were turned upside down by the news that Rory had Stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma.

Rory was not presenting as a sick child, nor did he show any signs of being in pain. The only telling sign something was wrong was a swollen eye earlier this summer.

They took Rory to the doctor and were first referred to an eye specialist, who knew right away his eye wasn’t causing the problem.

They were then sent to the hospital for immediate testing. A CT scan revealed Rory has tumours in his head, and doctors suspect more throughout his body. 

The family is now at Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, where Rory underwent several surgeries, including a tumour and bone marrow biopsy. The primary tumour was found in his abdomen, and more were uncovered throughout his body.

Neuroblastoma is a childhood cancer, with about 50-70 new cases diagnosed in Canada every year.

Rory is being treated with chemotherapy, which began Aug. 18 and will continue for eight to nine months, depending on his response.

Daylene is currently working to complete her degree at UBC Okanagan.

Friends and family have packed up her home in Kelowna and put everything in storage while she stays by her baby's side in Vancouver. Mack is also taking time away from work.

A GoFundMe campaign was started by friends and family to help with the family's costs associated with travel and living away from home, as well as any unforeseen expenses not covered by B.C. medical.