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Dan vs Cancer volume II

  • Another positive result!

      20 December 2020
    Posted by: Rhiannon Stone
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    A pre-christmas update on my lovely husband 🥰

    Dan had a scan done just over a week ago to see how things were going considering we had removed the drug with the worst side effects, and added in an immunotherapy drug.

    The results are still good! The tumors are either shrinking or staying the same. Woohoooo!!

    We also discussed the next step as his 6 months of chemo is due to end at the end of Jan. Because it became so aggressive so fast after surgery, his oncologist recommended another 3 months after this but at a lower dose (removing another of the drugs) & continuing with the immunotherapy. This will give us a good indication as to wether it has slowed down enough to take a break without ending up back where we were 5 months ago.

    So things keep plodding along as usual with us (our new usual at least) but with a spring in our step as we have another good result from the scan.

    We also want to keep thanking everyone who has shown us support the past 6 months. Through messages, home baked snacks dropped off to keep the kids happy, care packages or donations - we could not have gotten this far without you all. And a special shout out to Troy Gibbs and everyone who participated in the Illuminati Tattoo Studio flash day which was done for Dan and our family! We are so grateful to have such an amazing community backing us through this scary ride.

    Love to you all xox

    The picture is from our wedding day a few weeks ago - something we are so happy to have been able to finally do. And eternally grateful that Dan was feeling well enough on the day 🥰

    Rhiannon xxxx

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  • The viking is doing well!

      1 November 2020
    Posted by: Rhiannon Stone
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    Bit of an update about our favourite viking ❤

    Been a while since i did one of these so please bear with me as its a biggie.

    About 6 or 7 weeks ago (time is getting away from me), after an incredibly difficult week of extreme fatigue and zero ability to eat (among other issues), the decision was made to delay dans chemo by a week to let him recover physically. We met with the oncologist and we all decided it was best to drop one of the drugs (with the worst side effects) for now. He is able to use it at a later date if necessary.

    His oncologist ordered a CT scan to see if/how much the tumors were shrinking. And we are happy to say the drugs are working. THEY are shrinking!

    At the same appt we found out that because his cancer cells haven't mutated, he is eligible for an unfunded drug called Cetuximab. It interferes with the ability of the cancer cells to reproduce. It doesn't have many side effects but there is one big one. A full body rash that presents like acne. We are unsure yet how long he will be on this.

    On he restarted his chemo at Auckland Hospital 4 weeks ago. And the Friday following he started the Cetuximab. So far so good! He has much more energy, he wont be going for a run anytime soon but the side effects are much more manageable.

    This is the abridged version of the past 2 months. It's been another hard one, especially with the school holidays falling smack in the middle, along with a trip to starship for brodie who ended up with cellulitis (he's totally fine now) and me breaking my toe repeatedly a few weeks ago (also much better). But we managed. And will continue to manage.

    Much love to everyone out there. And a huge thank you to everyone who is continuing to help and support us in every way possible. We really don't know how we would have gotten through this so far without everyone xxx

    Rhiannon ❤

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  • Knocked down but far from out....

      13 August 2020
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    Hey there support crew-

    Further to our update just last week where we mentioned that Dan was due to start chemotherapy Monday just gone, sadly, our hero received some devastating news on Thursday last week from his CT. The MRI from Monday revealed that 15 more tumors have grown on his liver in the 7 weeks since surgery. This is a crushing blow and I know I speak for everyone when I say how beyond gutted we all are to hear this shitty news.

    After days of calls with surgeons and his oncologist, and an updated plan, Dan started his chemotherapy today (Wednesday). Sadly, due to newly announced level 3 lockdown for Auckland, Riz wasn't able to be there.

    The Chemo will a much higher dose than originally planned and there's an extra drug in the mix too. They aren't sure how long he will be on chemo for but at this stage they will test how he is responding after 3 months (possibly 2 if he's struggling with the side effects).

    The hard road Dan & Riz knew they were facing, has now gotten infinitely harder and while they are doing their best to stay positive, we all know it ain't always that easy.

    This Batman & Robin/Michelle & Barack/ Wayne & Garth/Superman & Wonder Woman- power duo are eternally grateful for everyone's generosity whether it's your supportive messages, meals that have been dropped off or donations to this page, they feel really lucky to have such an amazing community around them.

    I would personally like to thank you all too for your support of this page- please feel free to share where you can/feel comfortable.

    On behalf of Dan & Riz, in kindness and aroha -

    Gigi

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  • Return Of the Jedi...

      6 August 2020

    Hey y'all

    A quick update and a huge thank you from our hero and his best Rebel gal....... a real life Han & Leia! This episode sees our heroes taking on the Galactic Empire & the evil Emperor once more to bring an end to his hold over the galaxy!

    Dan has just had his port installed for the chemo -the next stage of his treatment. This phase kicks off on Monday and will last for 24 weeks. Every 3 weeks Dan will receive the Chemo once through the port, followed by 2 weeks of oral chemo twice a day. He will have 1 week free of chemo before the next round begins.

    Millennium Falcon aside, these two know it's a rough ride ahead but, with their little sidekicks in tow and us, their Rebel Alliance at the ready, supporting them as best we can, you better believe it's on like Donkey Kong, or as they put it- Let's get this done!

    Thank you again to everyone for all the messages and generous support ❤ thanks for all the shares of the link for this page also. Dan & Riz are so, so grateful!

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