Delmelza’s Journey & Hope for Quality Time

Diagnosed in July 2019 with Sertoli Leydig a rare cancer which has now metastasized (reoccurred throughout her body)

Delmelza is a 22 years old and unfortunately this horrible disease has been termed terminal and the family have had to relocate to Wellington from Patea South Taranaki in the hope that another round of extensive chemotherapy will relieve her breathing difficulties and pain enabling her quality time with family and friends.

This Family has already lost a daughter to a rare childhood cancer. Delmelzas sister was 3 and a half when she lost her battle with cancer and the family buried her on top of her koro who they had lost 1 month before.

Delmelza was diagnosed in July 2019, she had for months endured swelling of her abdomen, major weight loss and pain. It was during a visit to AnE they discovered a mass and transferred her to New Plymouth Base Hospital, after tests and scans she was told they confirmed a huge mass and that she needed to be seen by a team of specialists in Wellington. A visit confirmed she had a huge 22cm mass arising from her right ovary and it needed to come out, so they booked surgery and she returned home to Patea for the time being. Unfortunately, her pain increased and 10 days later she was informed that it had grown an extra 7cm. Delmelza was then flown on an emergency flight back to Wellington while she was in extreme pain and Drs hoped to get her into surgery asap before it caused damage, or it twisted and erupted.

With whanau by her side it was extremely emotional to watch as her pain increased she was bed ridden for a couple of weeks. Surgery went well and a huge 6kg mass was taken out as well as her right ovary and fallopian tube. Drs said due to her age they left the left ovary in so she could have fertility options. They informed her it looked cancerous and chemotherapy would be likely.

After numerous trips to Hamilton and back she completed 2 rounds of fertility successfully and had 14 eggs stored for the future. She chose to do a hard and fast round of chemo over 9 months rather than a slow course over 6 months. In March, this year 2020 Delmelza started having pains again and it was later confirmed she had a reoccurrence. A few weeks later Delmelza could barely breathe due to fluid being formed on her lung from a tumor. She then underwent surgery to drain fluid from her lung. After scans, x-rays and bloods, doctors have also confirmed a second tumor on the lung, a tumor in the right side of her tummy where her previous one was, about 6 nodules on the thyroid gland and deposits in her tummy lining. Drs informed her the devastating news that they are cancerous and terminal.

Costs for this whanau have been extreme and all their savings have been exhausted, with the help of whanau, extended whanau and friends they have relieved the stress of costs as best as they could. We would like to ensure everybody that all costs will be accounted for as best as we i can to ensure this girl gets her happy memories

The whanau and extended whanau would like to thank everyone so much for all your prayers and support be it with money and/or friendship. Delmelza’s Strength and courage through this all has been Phenomenally wise and Stronger than her age. An inspiration to us all.

I would like to finish off with a Taranaki Whakataukii

Whaaia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he mounga teitei

Seek the treasure you value most dearly. If you bow your head. Let it be to a lofty mountain.

Much Love to yous all

Naku Noa naa

King and Ngahoata-Hurunui Whanau