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Wanting to grow old

  • Mums a fighter

      12 May 2016
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    Hey peeps,

    Probably the last update before Mums Bday (close down date).

    A lot has happened since the last update almost a month ago.

    Firstly, a couple hard weeks for not only mum but also our extended whanau with the passing of our beloved Aunty Jo. This has brought a lot of home truths to the fore in a variety of ways for us all. Rest easy Aunty x.

    Mum has completed 2 more rounds of chemo, she has had a couple more check ups and as a result of the most recent chemo round has needed a blood transfusion.

    As a result of the chemo treatment as a whole we arrive at a bitter sweet moment.

    The tumours have shrunk, apologies but I don't know by how much, but I believe about 20 & 40% respectively.

    However as a result of the chemo, it has affected her bone marrow. Long story short the doc has advised it would be best to stop chemo at present as it could create more problems for mum further down the track.

    They have created a new Plan in an attempt to help mum.

    However, the dawning realisation is that their are bold vessels running through some of the tumours and due to its position the potential of surgery has been ruled out.

    Mum informed us a couple of nights ago that this is more a fight to keep this cancer at bay more so then completely beating it. The treatment plan is to attempt to use Vit C to help.

    I believe mum is still positive, although she is aware her mortality has been brought forward - to when?only time may tell. She still wants quality of life while trying to be here to catch milestones that go hand in hand with her children and Moko's growing old.

    Lastly, apologies for my outburst the other night when you told us mum. It was never aimed at you or your doc, I guess it's cause I was holding on to that bit of hope that I/we could actually help beat this.

    Now, I realise that all I/we can do is help you reach all the milestones in the years to come.

    Even though I don't show it or say it . . .

    Love you Mum

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  • Apologies - M I A

      30 March 2016
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    As the title explains I have been MIA.

    In the time since the last update Mum has had her second round of chemo; to which she coped well with, however her diet (taste of it) is still causing her problems.

    Since then she has been admitted into hospital a handful of times for various reasons. Initially due to her weakened immune system (thanks Chemo) she went in for observation due to contracting a throat infection thanks to us children.

    At a later stage she was admitted due to a tooth complaint (which was semi-botched) and continued to give her pain leading to her admission twice further ( the second in which coincided with her third scheduled round of chemo. As a result a tooth was removed yet due to the situation it resulted to her Chemo being pushed back to today (30/03).

    It hasn't been all doom and gloom however, in the mean time she has continued to feel the wairua of well wishes through passing comments, messages, phone calls, visits etc.

    She has celebrated Zaynes birthday earlier this month with a nice dinner at home (including a buffet of sweets that we had to eat fast so as not to 'tease' mum and my son Koulton by eating it in front of them). More recently we celebrated Rhys becoming a teenager yesterday with the same celebratory dinner at home with all the bells and whistles.

    The prodigal son (cough cough) has also returned to the shore in a bid to be of more assistance to mum, Jeff and the kids - a massive thanks to our landlord for letting us leave our lease on compassionate grounds.

    Apart from chemo mum has had a couple of special moments since the last update.

    1.) She cut/shaved her hair off with two of her 'mates' surrounded by friends and family.

    2.) She got to attend her cousin Anthony get married to his partner Natalie.

    There is also alot to be excited about for mum coming up.

    She will complete her third round of chemo this week. It means that she/we will be at the 'reassessment' stage - they can see if the treatment is working and then create a new PoA.

    Also her brother (who lives in Denmark) will be coming back to see her around her birthday which she is stoked about.

    As her children, we/I understand that we have yet seen the toughest challenges come our way, in all honesty my siblings know no better as the support network our mother has received thus far is making everyday life manageable. I hope they don't have to face those challenges, but if they do I and others are definitely here to help them also as well as mum.

    Apologies once again for being MIA, but as your'e aware. Cancer dont give a F*^$ what you have to do in your day to day life.

    Until the next update.

    Keep fighting the good fight mum.

    We love you

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    • 31/03/2016 by Sandra

      Thinking of you Carmen and saying prayers for you as you undergo chemo today. Arohanui Sandra Hodge xx

  • Update

      15 February 2016
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    A massive thank you to all that have donated; whether it was financially on this page, bringing organic food to mum, sharing this link, texts/messages of support or just general well wishes when seeing one of us in the public.

    A quick update, Mum had her first round of chemo last week with mixed reactions. Initially she felt well following her first treatment, however she had a bad experience the 2nd day (nauseos, lack of apetitie, physically drained etc.) and lastly she returned to 'normal' following the third day of treatment.

    She is keeping in good spirits realising the support network that is being pout in place to help her overcome this challenge.

    There have been big changes at home, the kids are coming around to the idea of no chocolate, lollies, fizzy, pre-packaged food being no longer readily available within the food pantry. They are enjoying the constant in-flux of fresh fruit and veg resulting in a much 'happier' household during those 'grumpy' (late nights & early mornings) times.

    This change culminated this weekend with our wider Cherrington and Kura whanau holding/organising a working bee. The walls, floors and roof were cleaned inside, years of paper accumulation sorted, generic junk organised and thrown in the skip. Trees trimmed, gutters cleaned, the outside of the house received a 'face lift' being scrubbed/water blasted. The (insect/arachnids) residents within the garage were kindly moved out all in two days of support for someone's daughter, cousin, niece, friend, son's friends mother - Carmen.

    Once again thank you.

    Until later, keep fighting the good fight mum.

    Your doing well, its awesome to see you so motivated to be here not only for your moko's, kids and hubby but for yourself also.

    Love you

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