Creating memories while living her best life!

The family of Veronica Kamana have created this page in the hopes that it inspires her (and others) to continue making memories while living your best life. Veronica has had an intense 18 months fighting for her life and her battle with Cancer is still not over. We want to share our aroha by supporting her in her dream of taking her baby Emmanuel to her home-land paradise - the Cook Islands!

Take a read of her harrowing journey below….

March 2020

Veronica started getting sharp ear pains but thought nothing of it, thinking it was merely a toothache. She visited the dentist who took X-rays but nothing out of the ordinary was reported. The dentist noticed the state of her tongue and referred her to a GP. Veronica went to see her local doctor who without any investigation suggested it might be an ulcer and prescribed antibiotics. She was told to return in 2 weeks if things didn't get better. Veronica returned to the same doctor and shared that the pain hadn’t subsided and in fact was getting increasingly worse. She was sent away. Veronica returned to the dentist who advised her that nothing was wrong with her teeth but to see a specialist about her tongue because it was looking significantly worse. Veronica returned back to the GP, and told her what the dentist advised and was told that this was not necessary and more antibiotics were prescribed. The pain continued to worsen.

October 2020

Veronica returned to the GP who no longer worked there and booked in to see another doctor. This doctor took photos immediately, sent her to a specialist at Auckland Hospital who identified straight away that it was cancerous. In her words “I was devastated because I thought, No this can’t happen to me, my baby is still a baby I’m still breastfeeding him. I’m too young to have cancer!”. Everything was a whirlwind after this. She was fast-tracked into surgery the following week.

November 2020

On the 9th November, Veronica went in for surgery. She has always maintained her resolve and her unconditional love for her baby, her parents, her siblings/cousins, and her partner. She has had times of frustration and times of absolute strength. Understandably she had lost a significant amount of weight from radiation and chemotherapy and has challenges eating and talking. You wouldn’t pick it though because her smile just radiates any room she is in!

August 2021

After months of recovery and taking every day as a gift, Veronica noticed a lump on her chest. The lump was not deemed cancerous but she was advised to have it removed. A PET scan revealed other areas of concern (Cancer) in her neck and near her voice box. She has had surgery to remove this, and while under surgery an emergency call was made to her parents to take out more than anticipated.

September 2021

Veronica is now in recovery in Auckland Hospital and unable to talk or eat and drink through her mouth. Despite these challenges she continues to remind us daily that life is worth living! That we should be grateful for the memories we have and the memories we can create. She has taken this challenge on with such strength, dignity and absolute mana. She is an inspiration to us all to never take each day for granted and continue living your best life.

October 2021

Veronica turns 24 years old on 17th October 2021 and it would be our greatest gift to share with her our combined aroha and best wishes by supporting her in her dream to take her son Emmanuel back to her homeland paradise, the beautiful Cook Islands! Please donate only if you can, and only what you can.

Kia orana e kia manuia.