Mateoh Eggleton undergoes bone marrow transplant after cells had been left on tarmac in the US

A young boy has finally undergone potentially life-saving surgery after a tense wait following his bone marrow was first left on the tarmac of a US airport.

Mateoh Eggleton, 6, on Monday received his much-needed stem cell transplant after the cells finally arrived in Brisbane last Friday.

The Gold Coast boy was diagnosed with chronic granulomatous disease in 2019, meaning his white blood cells were unable to fight off certain types of bacteria.

His health struggles were originally cured by a first transplant in 2020, however, the treatment resulted in him being diagnosed with a rare and even more severe condition known as haemolytic uraemic syndrome – which can lead to kidney failure.

The surgery was the last chance for Mateoh and he will remain in hospital for at least the next 90 days while he recovers.

Mateoh Eggleton (pictured with mum Shalyn) has undergone a bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening genetic condition

Mateoh Eggleton, from the Gold Coast, underwent the potentially life-saving surgery after he was diagnosed with chronic granulomatous disease in 2019, meaning his white blood cells were unable to fight off certain types of bacteria

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Following his surgery, Mateoh thanked his donor, with his mother Shalyn telling 7News it is still a long road ahead.

‘I’m somewhat a little bit relieved but we’ve still got a long road to go for recovery for Mateoh,’ she said.

It will be at least two to three weeks before doctors know if the young boy’s transplant has been successful with doctors telling his mother to prepare for his condition to get worse.

‘There’s a possible chance of pneumonia,’ she said.

‘Doctors have let us know to be prepared for ICU and ventilators.’

While a donor was eventually able to be found for Mateoh, getting the desperately needed cells was a challenge in itself.

The cells were abandoned at a US airport last month en route to Brisbane, causing disbelief among family members before the transplant finally arrived in Australia.

The boy’s first transplant for granulomatous disease saw the little boy in and out of the intensive care unit.

Mateoh’s mother Shalyn told the Today Show on Monday, receiving this transplant will be her son’s toughest fight.

‘This is our last option for treatment,’ Ms Eggleton told the Today Show.

‘Mateoh’s a bit nervous as you would be, this will be our toughest (step).

‘This transplant being our last option to trial, we actually don’t know if it’s going to take or not take,’ she said.

‘We don’t know how sick Mateoh’s going to get. We just don’t know how it’s going to go and that’s where my biggest nerves are at the moment.’

The six-year-old has undergone nine different types of treatment for his condition within the past 18 months. 

The little boy’s much-needed cells were mistakenly left on the tarmac at a US airport last month, forcing a delay in the surgery

The mother said the transplant was Mateoh’s last chance, with the six-year-old previously undergoing gruelling chemotherapy and blood transfusions to keep him alive

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The six-year-old has undergone nine different types of treatment for his condition within the past 18 months