Thank you for everyone’s donations!
12 August 2026Diana still has an expensive road ahead (see her recent update) and every little bit helps ;-) Em x
0 comments
|
Login to leave a comment
A Life of Giving Back — Now Diana Needs Support During Blood Cancer Treatment
-
-
The halfway mark!
7 August 2026Posted by: Diana RenwickThree cycles down, three to go!
I had my first trip back to New Zealand last week for 12 precious days. All my children came to Christchurch to be with me. It was wonderful to be back in my own home, gardening, hugging my cat and spending time with family and friends.
Just before I left Melbourne I had a bone marrow biopsy as my blood results looked promising. The highly sensitive test showed only a trace of myeloma left in my marrow, which is an excellent result for 2 1/2 months treatment. My team are optimistic that soon there will be no cancer cells left. I’m very thankful for such an amazing outcome.
I have three more cycles until the trial ends, where I will receive fortnightly maintenance treatment of Dara and steroids. That takes me until end of October. From here, my future is a little challenging as to continue to have this miracle drug I’ll need to return to Melbourne from New Zealand for two days every four weeks indefinitely.
The hope for all myeloma patients in New Zealand is that Pharmac will prioritise funding of Daratumumab. I’m not the only one leaving home for more advanced and effective cancer treatment in Australia.
Thank you again for your donation. I’m very humbled that people care about me by supporting this fundraiser. Diana x
0 comments | Login to leave a comment -
Update 💜
8 July 2026Diana’s chemotherapy cycle has seen a 65% reduction in cancel cells! She is fighting the fight with bravery and strength each day but it isn’t easy and she is in and out of hospital with complications. Every donation helps her stay a float and to focus on her health while she isn’t working during treatment. Thank you to all those who have donated and sent lovely messages of support to her. Em x
0 comments | Login to leave a comment -
Two cycles down, four to go…
6 July 2026Posted by: Diana RenwickThe past month has been challenging as I’ve had a toxic response to one of the chemotherapy drugs. It has affected my heart function and I’ve been admitted to hospital for a few days on a weekly basis for monitoring.
The good news is that the chemotherapy is working! The first cycle saw a 65% reduction of my cancer cells and today I’ve had the bloodwork done for the end of Cycle 2 so I’ll know those results by the end of the week. It makes the hard times totally worth it.
Thank you to everyone who has shown their support by donating to my cause. I am very grateful and I love reading your kind messages. These funds help me with my day to day living costs. I’m not working while I’m here so every bit counts!
I have a Facebook page if you’d like to follow updates there:
https://www.facebook.com/share/18zBAMbkGg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Diana x
0 comments | Login to leave a comment -
Update on Diana
24 May 2026Diana is currently in Melbourne undergoing treatment at Peter Mac Cancer Centre. The last weeks have been an incredibly tough start to her journey, with the chemotherapy placing strain on her body, resulting in hospital admissions and intensive monitoring.
Despite everything, Diana continues to remain positive and is deeply appreciative of the support she has received so far. However, she still needs our help to stay afloat financially.
Diana has created a Facebook page called “Trials and Tribulations Diana’s edit” https://www.facebook.com/share/14avDqEwBqY/?mibextid=wwXIfr for those who wish to follow her journey. Her hope is that by sharing her experience, others may gain knowledge and help support Diana along the way.
We are all thinking of Diana here in New Zealand and sending her strength and love. Although she is far from home, knowing she has resilience, courage, and a fighting spirit brings us comfort and we remain behind her with as much love and strength possible from afar.
0 comments | Login to leave a comment -
12/5/26 Chemotherapy Start
13 May 2026Posted by: Diana RenwickAfter 2 very long months I’ve finally started a myeloma trial. The delay was due to waiting for a new CAR T-cell trial to be approved and to go through the many screen tests. I passed all these but sadly, after a frustrating wait, a few days ago I was randomised to the drug arm of the trial. That was difficult to process as I am the first and only trial patient for Australia for this trial right now. Eventually it will include 50 patients at Peter Mac, one of 15 trial centres running this trial around the world.
The drugs (Dara and Carfilzomib plus high dose steroids) have proven to be very effective individually so I’m hoping for a double whammy to knock the myeloma into long term remission.
I’ve been on my own for the past 6 weeks but for the next month I’ve got my niece Rosie, sister Margaret and son William coming to support me.
Your donations have been appreciated more than you know it. William is at university and it has paid for his trip. I’m here for 6 further months now so I plan to put funds aside for more of my family to visit me. It’s a huge help with my day to day living expenses too. Thank you for your kindness. Diana
This photo was from bone marrow biopsy day - probably the most unpleasant part of my trial process and one that I’ll have to repeat with ongoing reviews.
0 comments | Login to leave a comment
