Aaron's Story
Aaron Michael-Corey Murphy, born on April 30th 1995, grew up in Cranston where he would spend most of his childhood. He was well loved by all of his family members and spent a large portion of his youth at his grandparent’s house with his mother, Melissa, his aunt Maryellen, and his uncles Michael and Edward. At an early age, Aaron fell in love with basketball through CLCF, an organization for youth in Cranston. He’d continue on to play throughout high school and frequently after. At Cranston High School East, he played a number of positions and wore a variety of numbers, he always had a love for the number 22(#AM22). In his adulthood, Aaron spent a lot of time working with his father, Rui, at their family owned doggie day care business. When he wasn’t there he was laughing and joking with his fiancé, Cindy, his childhood friend, Will, and his close friends; Zack, Tim, Josh, Ed, and Khalil.
September of 2016 Aaron was initially diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma of the head, when a tumor appeared on his upper left temple. Upon further examination, radiation had to be done immediately in order to stop the Sarcoma from continuing growth and potentially spreading elsewhere. After radiation a resection of the tumor was done freeing Aaron of the world of cancer. 2 months after being cancer free, it was discovered that the cancer returned and spread to his lungs and blood, transforming into Metastatic Synovial Sarcoma of the lungs. At this point in Aaron’s journey he was given a prognosis of six months to one year of life at most.
He immediately started intensive chemotherapy sessions of 6+ hours, 3 times a week, equalling to a minimum of 24 hours of chemo treatments weekly, in hopes of obliterating the sarcoma nodules that had formed within his lungs. Aaron continued chemotherapy treatments for over a year, increasing his life expectancy to 3-5 years. Towards the end of 2018 it was discovered that the cancer cells had mutated and neither chemotherapy and/or radiation would be effective. At this point his Oncologist, Dr. Choy of Massachusetts General Hospital, set out to find clinical trials that could improve Aaron’s health and prognosis. January of 2019 a promising clinical trial was started but within a week of the trial, one of Aaron’s larger lung nodules grew four times its original size, causing breathing and eating complications due to its location near the esophagus. Aaron’s life expectancy then dropped from 3-5 years to 30-60 days. He was immediately taken out of the clinical trial, started radiation in hopes of slowing down the rapid growth of that specific nodule, and was then put into Hospice and Palliative care for pain management.
Aaron’s health was on a quick decline for the months following. Despite his strong character and brave face, it was evident that his disease had taken over. During his Hospice care, he was put on a long list of various drugs to manage pain and other side effects. After a couple of weeks, Aaron became dependent on oxygen tanks, nebulizer treatments and a Morphine pump that was connected to him intravenously. As the days went by, the disease had made him weak to the point of immobility. Despite all of this, Aaron kept fighting as hard as he could. Because of his bravery and determination to survive, he surpassed the 30-60 day life expectancy and lived for an extra 6 months. At the 6 month mark, he reached the point of severe weakness and needed 24 hour care. He was transported from his home to the Hope & Hospice Unit of RI where he spent the weekend. Although he was relatively unresponsive, he still enjoyed hearing the voices and stories of his loved ones. Aaron spent 3 days in the Hospice Unit surrounded by the people that loved him the most. On Monday, July 8th 2019, Aaron passed away in the arms of his fiancé, Cindy, in a room full of his family and friends.
September of 2016 Aaron was initially diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma of the head, when a tumor appeared on his upper left temple. Upon further examination, radiation had to be done immediately in order to stop the Sarcoma from continuing growth and potentially spreading elsewhere. After radiation a resection of the tumor was done freeing Aaron of the world of cancer. 2 months after being cancer free, it was discovered that the cancer returned and spread to his lungs and blood, transforming into Metastatic Synovial Sarcoma of the lungs. At this point in Aaron’s journey he was given a prognosis of six months to one year of life at most.
He immediately started intensive chemotherapy sessions of 6+ hours, 3 times a week, equalling to a minimum of 24 hours of chemo treatments weekly, in hopes of obliterating the sarcoma nodules that had formed within his lungs. Aaron continued chemotherapy treatments for over a year, increasing his life expectancy to 3-5 years. Towards the end of 2018 it was discovered that the cancer cells had mutated and neither chemotherapy and/or radiation would be effective. At this point his Oncologist, Dr. Choy of Massachusetts General Hospital, set out to find clinical trials that could improve Aaron’s health and prognosis. January of 2019 a promising clinical trial was started but within a week of the trial, one of Aaron’s larger lung nodules grew four times its original size, causing breathing and eating complications due to its location near the esophagus. Aaron’s life expectancy then dropped from 3-5 years to 30-60 days. He was immediately taken out of the clinical trial, started radiation in hopes of slowing down the rapid growth of that specific nodule, and was then put into Hospice and Palliative care for pain management.
Aaron’s health was on a quick decline for the months following. Despite his strong character and brave face, it was evident that his disease had taken over. During his Hospice care, he was put on a long list of various drugs to manage pain and other side effects. After a couple of weeks, Aaron became dependent on oxygen tanks, nebulizer treatments and a Morphine pump that was connected to him intravenously. As the days went by, the disease had made him weak to the point of immobility. Despite all of this, Aaron kept fighting as hard as he could. Because of his bravery and determination to survive, he surpassed the 30-60 day life expectancy and lived for an extra 6 months. At the 6 month mark, he reached the point of severe weakness and needed 24 hour care. He was transported from his home to the Hope & Hospice Unit of RI where he spent the weekend. Although he was relatively unresponsive, he still enjoyed hearing the voices and stories of his loved ones. Aaron spent 3 days in the Hospice Unit surrounded by the people that loved him the most. On Monday, July 8th 2019, Aaron passed away in the arms of his fiancé, Cindy, in a room full of his family and friends.
