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Isaac needs a bone marrow transplant

  • Isaac is getting his bone marrow transplant

      8 February 2023
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    Dear supporters, friends and family,

    We are now two days into the start of Isaac's treatment; he has begun receiving chemotherapy, which is the preparatory phase before he receives his stem cell transplant. This'll happen -- all going well -- on Tuesday 14 February.

    We are so thankful and grateful for the support that each one of you given to us -- thank you so much. It has helped us enormously to get to this point. We are under no illusions that there will be tough times ahead of us. Right now, we are looking to getting to "Transplant Day" -- Day Zero. After that, we have to get through the first 21 days. And then, the first 100 days. Each milestone will be an achievement.

    Isaac has shown great composure, and wants to simply get on with things without a fuss being made. I still think he is coping with the situation much better than Lesley or I are.

    Do let us know if you would like to stay in touch. And thank you again for all of your thoughts, your support and your best wishes.

    Arohanui 💚

    Jon

      3 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 09/02/2023 by Robin

      Great to hear, appreciate the update, all the best for the treatment and recovery

    • 09/02/2023 by Margaret

      Dear Jon and Lesley, thanks so much for the update. I am praying for you all daily, especially Isaac.

    • 13/02/2023 by Louise

      Thanks for the update. Bob and I will be thinking of you all and especially Isaac tomorrow. We would definitely like to keep hearing about Isaac's progress.

  • 🌴🎄 Our Christmas Good News! 🎄🌴

      24 December 2022
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    Dear Family & Friends,

    Many, many thanks to all of you for your support over the past couple of months. Isaac's diagnosis of aplastic anemia has been a big shock to all of us, not least, I'm sure, to Isaac. He has been coping with this life changing situation with his usual self-assurance. From my point of view, he has been doing an incredible job of keeping things together and getting on with it -- far better than I have done -- and it makes me really proud to see what a great man he has become. 💜

    After a difficult couple of months (to say the least), we've had some great news to share with you.

    We had confirmation this past week that a "full matching" donor has been found, here in Aotearoa New Zealand, and Isaac will be getting a bone marrow stem cell transplant in early February!

    I think this is the best news we could wish for, and to have this arranged before Christmas is just brilliant. Isaac's consultant said that for someone to go from a diagnosis to transplant in four months is "pretty good indeed." Isaac now has a really thorough & detailled plan for getting ready for his transplant; an 8 page document laying out precise timings and dosages of very specific "conditioning" treatments and chemotherapy drug, leading up the "Day 0" -- the day he receives the stem cells from the donor. He has many tests, scans, x-rays and checks ahead over the next few weeks, to get a "baseline" of his current health, and also to make sure he stays infection free before the transplant.

    And to celebrate this news, Isaac has gone ahead and dyed his hair purple! 💜

    We are looking forward to Christmas Day with family here in Christchurch, and we wish you a very 🌴🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄🌴 too.

    Arohanui,

    Jon

      3 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 27/12/2022 by Mark

      Fantastic news Jon, so happy for you all!

    • 27/12/2022 by Robin

      That's fantastic news, best wishes for the treatment/transplant

    • 04/01/2023 by Giles

      Epic news!!!!!!! Fingers and toes crossed for you