It’s been just over a week since this page was started and over $10000 has been raised by so many kind and generous people, it is quite overwhelming and a huge thank you to each and every one of you. So many of you have expressed your concern and love for Toutai, and have asked how he is doing, so here is an update on his condition.
Toutai is still in the paediatric ICU and remains critically unwell. This photo has been shared with permission from Eva & Paongo. It is every bit alarming and heartbreaking as it looks, but he is sedated to help calm him and ease any pain.
When Toutai is stable enough he is having a treatment called plasmapheresis, which is a process which exchanges the part of your blood called plasma.
The plasma in your blood normally develops proteins called antibodies that are programmed to identify abnormal cells and destroy them, such as when you have a virus.
However, with an autoimmune disease antibodies will attack normal cells inside the body that carry out important functions. This is what is currently happening to Toutai, and it is causing his brain to swell.
When the brain swells it can cause all normal processes to become confused, and it is quite distressing. This is why Toutai is being kept sedated to allow his body to rest and heal, then hopefully the plasmapheresis will slowly begin to reverse the production of antibodies, and the swelling will reduce.
It is a slow road to recovery but all of us who know Toutai, know what a strong warrior this boy is, and we are all praying for a return to normal health.
Eva and Paongo are beyond humbled and appreciative of all the support, prayers and well wishes from you all. Thank you so much, malo aupito ofa lahi atu.
