Caine's fight against Stage 3 Testicular Cancer.
Can you help Caine in his fight against THE BIG C? Caine has been diagnosed with CURABLE Stage 3 Testicular Cancer.
Auckland
In May blood tests revealed Caine was a strong & healthy 24 year old guy.
Four months of battling back aches, stomach aches, no appetite, nausea, vomiting & extreme weight loss all while working 50+ hour weeks as a chef, Caine was diagnosed on the 10th September ’15 with lymphoma.
After a week of being poked & prodded, blood tests, X-Rays, CT Scans and biopsies Oncologists eventually revealed on September 17th that Caine's diagnoses was in fact Stage 3 Metastatic Germ Cell Tumours.
Translation: Testicular Cancer.
Tumours were found in both lungs, abdomen and one testicle which ranged from 1mm – 14cm.
There was no time for Caine, me and his family to process what was going on.
The first session of chemotherapy treatment begun only two days later.
Since then life for Caine and I has been put on hold. We are both currently on extended leave from The Riverhead, who have supported us through this difficult time, whilst I've became a full-time caregiver and will continue to be here for Caine and support him throughout this ordeal.
Our weeks are now filled with 8 hours days of Caine sitting but mostly sleeping in his blue, squishy chemo chair, Oncologist meetings, lung tests, ultrasounds, counselling, the list continues.
Tiredness is his constant companion.
Caine has successfully completed 9 weeks out of 12 and things are looking up. Oncologists have said Caine will have to undergo major surgery following the completion of his chemo in the New Year which may also result in follow up chemo cycles to guarantee all the cancer cells have been destroyed.
Many questions have yet to be answered but one thing we have been made sure of is this cancer is CURABLE…. We have had some positive news with recent blood tests and CT Scans showing the tumours are shrinking and his tumour markers have decreased.
It will be a long and bumpy road ahead but no matter what Caine and I will not be giving up the fight against THE BIG C.
We are young, strong, and positive with a great amount of support behind us and have a life yet to be filled with adventures, events and experiences.
Our story is only just beginning, we may have a long way to go and it isn’t going to be easy but we are asking for your help to get us through this tough time.
Sinead Birkill's involvement (page creator)
Caine and I have been given some pretty sour lemons this year but we have become stronger individuals and an even stronger couple because of them.
I have supported Caine and his family in whatever way I can, making folders, blogs, schedules anything to make it easier for people around us to process.
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Latest update
Until we meet again. 16 September 2016
On April 1st 2016 Caine and I managed to make it down to Rotarua for a night. Spa treatment, good food and couple time but Caine being his usual self decided to make things a little bit interesting.
Sitting down for bacon sandwiches the next day Caine suddenly started having compulsions which I now know was a seizure a ambulance was called and Caine was rushed to Rotarua Hospital. Just our luck it was a Sunday and the radiology department had closed for the weekend so after waiting five hours Caine and I slowly made the trip back up to Auckland Hosital.
After another long wait, blood tests, Ct scans and the works Caine was diagnosed with two 1-2cm brain tumours on the right side of his brain. These bleed and caused Caine to have this seizure.
We spent the night in hospital cuddling and crying while the oncologist already had a plan in motion. While talking to the surgeon on Tuesday morning they told us surgery was booked for Friday, Caine started to do a stretching motion and it soon turned into another seizure, this one becoming more violent. The bleed on the brain had affected him and he was confused, in fairy land and sleeping most of the morning. It was decided that surgery would be that afternoon. Two hours later and Caine was getting wheeled into surgery. Caine recovered well and the following week he was out of hospital and relaxing at home.
The day Caine was due to start his next round of chemo he had a large bleed and another seizure. Oncologist, surgeons, the whole neighbourhood was being called to figure out what was going on. Caine continued to bleed for 3 days.
Unfortunately they told us nothing could be done.
On Monday April 19th 2016 Caine was diagnosed terminal.
Caine managed three glorious weeks which were also met with some struggles but throughout it all he smiled and told us everything was going to be okay.
On Tuesday May 10th 2016 Caine Joseph Ihimaera, aged 25 passed away surrounded by people he loved.
Caine and I had a love that was going to defeat all others but things just didn’t go our way. From the beginning of our relationship Caine was shaping me to be strong. I am so lucky to have met someone like Caine who not only helped me through the tough times but was the reason I still smile everyday.
It has been a hard year for many of us, Caine has left a huge hole in my life and in my heart and accepting his death has been difficult. Caine will forever live on for me and I am glad we got to experience an amazing love in Caine’s final years.
This page closes tomorrow so I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has donated and supported Caine and I throughout this whole ordeal and not to mention the people who have stayed with me and made sure I haven’t given up.
I love you forever and always babe xxx
Caine Joseph Ihimaera
8th March 1991 – 10th May 2016
Rest in Paradise
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