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(TWIN TIMES): GRANT GERKEN BATTLES CANCER FOR THE 2ND TIME!

  • Blog Update 11:

      30 April 2015

    Finally all the hard work has resulted in some pay off!!!

    A special thanks goes out to the organisers of Saturday night's "Gig for Gerks"and to all those that attended.

    Again words alone fail to express enough how much we appreciate all of the love and support we continue to receive from each and everyone of you.

    Onwards and upwards!

    Much love Team Gerken

    If you are game to view Grants video please copy the following Facebook Video Link and paste into your browser, Cheers. Del/Derek

    https://www.facebook.com/grant.gerken/videos/10206884456093691/?pnref=story

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  • Blog update 10

      23 April 2015

    Social media again caught up with Grant as he recuperates at his Invercargill homestead.

    "Well another round of salvage chemo down and I am still very much alive and kicking cancer's arse!

    I'm now looking forward to the upcoming scan which I'm confident will show enough progress for me to begin the "stem cell" transplant process in Christchurch in a few weeks time.

    As you will all know by now my twin bother Deano is to be my donor.

    I am told that I will inherit his Immunity along with other things. I now look forward with much anticipation to growing a third nipple and smelling like KFC when ever I sweat!

    The love and support continues to pour in and words again fail to adequately express our appreciation. We thank each and every one of you!

    Much love

    Team Gerken.

    Video Link

    https://www.facebook.com/grant.gerken/videos/10206802391922138/?pnref=story

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  • Blog update 8

      7 April 2015

    "Round two - Bring it on and let the craziness begin!"

    From his hospital bed in the Dunedin oncology ward Grant explains "too much chocolate lead to this latest video blog....although I blame equally the Easter Bunny and the Chemo!"

    Much love

    Team Gerken

    Xox

    Click the YouTube link. Cheers

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  • Blog Update 7

      2 April 2015

    "Hair yesterday, gone today, but coming back to a screen near you soon!"

    I'm going to CUT this blog SHORT and keep it to the HIGHLIGHTS ONLY!

    It didn't take long to MULLET over before we came up with this HAIR-brained video blog to sort out my ever increasing morning fur balls and associated shower-drain blockage issues.

    You'll see we went with The Benny Hill theme despite Deano's protestations that BARBER Streisand was the way to go. To be fair she only missed the CUT by a WHISKER.

    Much love to fave Cousie Leanda for swinging her clippers with such expertise and to bro Deano for wilfully (if not naively) turning his "hairdo" into an absolutely definitive "hairdon't"!

    Again I am lost for adequate words to express just how much my family and I appreciate all of the love, support and encouragement in all forms that continues to pour in unabated.

    Your "positivity" is breeding more positivity from within Team Gerken! smile emoticon

    Much love

    Grant and Family Xox

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  • Blog update 6:

      28 March 2015

    Time for a video from Grant and other nominated Oscar supporting actors!!!!!

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  • Day 7 Family Fun

      22 March 2015
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    Blog Update: Family Fun

    Day 7: "Other things may change us, but we start and end with our family!"

    Social media again caught with up Grant as he made the most of fun times with his family this weekend (see below Pic)

    "Whilst I'm in this 'neutropenic state' being exposed to bugs is a no-no! Heaven knows I don't won't to have to waste my precious sick days actually being sicker lol. Masks, glass barriers and hand sanitisers are all the trend this weekend and I'm proud to say that Team Gerken wore those masks like they were born to stand out!"

    I am just completely blown away by the never-ending love, generosity and support shown to team Gerken by our friends, loved ones and even complete strangers. It uplifts not only my soul but that of my entire family and for that I truly am indebted to each and everyone one of you.

    Much love

    Grant

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  • Day 5

      20 March 2015
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    Blog update:

    Day 5: self proclaimed big boned patient temporarily released back into the Invercargill wilds contemplates imminent hair loss (see photo below).

    Social media briefly caught up with Grant today as he relaxed in his Invercargill backyard:

    "...Sure there's been a lot of blood, sweat and tears gone into this magnificent full body weave over the years, and I've always worn it like I owned it BUT it's time to get the monkey off my back" lol

    I'll keep this one short! I'm home, I'm surrounded by my loved ones and I'm happy.

    Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all your Positive Thoughts, Energy, Love and Kindness… we feel overwhelmed and blessed.

    Onwards and upwards.

    Much love

    Team Gerken

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  • Day 3 Chemo

      19 March 2015
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    Blog Update:

    Day 3 Headline:

    "Body double takes one for team Gerken as day 3 narrows to an end!

    Deano has been doing everything he can to assist with my weight gain including on site demonstrations and sly merchandising for Cadbury, Griffins and Turkish Delight.

    The Good news is that whilst Deano has been otherwise incapacitated and on a semi permeant sugar high I have managed to put on a couple of kilos.

    The nurse did point out that holding on to a 1.3 litre steaming hot chemically charged urine sample whilst weighing myself did not accurately depict my weight despite my assertions that it was part of me a few moments earlier! Lol

    So it's three days down and after 8 sessions of chemo this annoying intruder can considered itself officially served with an eviction notice!!!

    All of the support love and generosity that has and continues to pour in continues to overwhelm us and it has and will only make enforcing that notice so much easier!

    We thank you all from bottom of our hearts for that!

    Thanks to all of you I go to sleep tonight with a smile on my face.

    Much Love

    The Chemo kid

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  • Day 2 Chemo

      19 March 2015
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    Well Day 2 chemo is over and my profile pic tells it all lol. "Bring it on day 3, I welcome you and all the Chernobyl infused chemo you have to offer with open veins!"

    My family remains overwhelmed with the plethora of support, love and encouragement we have and are continuing to receive. We are so grateful for your messages and well-wishes and they truly help keep our spirits up. ??

    My gorgeous Fiancée Sonya had her birthday today and whilst the oncology ward doesn't quite set the scene for an at least memorable if not earth shattering "birthday touchdown" the hot Indian curry she consumed tonight for tea probably has put that notion to bed anyway lol.

    So with faith and optimism we set our sights to tomorrow in the knowledge that we are one battle closer to winning this war!

    Much love

    Grant/Gerks/Dad/Dadikins/Grantie/Tuna/Pickles xox

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  • Day 1 Chemo

      19 March 2015
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    Blog update:

    Day one of intensive salvage chemotherapy over. Minimal side effects apart from the usual feeling

    Like you

    "Have just woken up after a heavy night on the moonshine!". You

    know when you're up

    Against some serious shit when the "Shortland Street" nurse who's administering this concoction of battery acid and Chernobyl fallout, double Gloves, puts on a crude purple sabre down to below

    His knees along with a full month and face shield lol. Anyway all in all it went well and I'm here with

    My beautiful finance, my adopted step twin Dino and the olds taking it optimistically one day at a time. Much love Grunter/Gerks/grant/grantie/dadikins/dad.

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