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Help Dionne "get busy with living"

  • A BIG thank you! (and an update)

      21 April 2015

    (posted on behalf of Dionne by her Givealittle page fairies)

    Dionne wanted to pass on a very big thank you to everyone for their support - every little bit really does help, and is much appreciated!

    Dionne's week in review (18th April):

    HIGHLIGHTS:

    * Started new miracle drug on Wednesday.

    * Friday test results showed a drop in the 'cancer count' (if the number heads in a downward direction that's a good thing).

    * Next dose of treatment will be in 3 weeks’ time and then 3 weeks after that etc...

    * DD Mum and Dad arrive back in NZ Saturday 25th April.

    * Lots of yummy food and love being delivered on an hourly basis.

    * Dionne is constantly overwhelmed by how much love and support she is getting and although she can't reply to everyone, both she and hubby Kris appreciate it all.

    LOWLIGHTS: As you know, DD isn't one for talking about the negative, so this will be quick (I'm sure you want to know some of the reality)

    * Tunnel drain inserted to relieve remaining fluid in right lung, that will remain in place.

    * Discomfort & pain high, but staff handling the pain management plan very well.

    * Mercy Hospice transfer has been delayed til Tuesday 21st April. (will update once DD has moved)

    * Right arm very tight and swollen, so she is unable to use it, hence texting near impossible, but doesn't completely stop her of course. So if you've texted, she would have read it, but unlikely to have replied.

    To end on a positive, when the nurse asked DD on Thursday morning how she felt, DD replied "I think I"m 1% better today", now that's a result and it seems have be the same reply for Friday and Saturday too, so DD is very happy with that.

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  • A condensed timeline of Dionne's treatment to date.

      3 March 2015

    - Feb 2012: Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, 11 weeks pregnant at the time.?

    - Mar 2012: Mastectomy undertaken on right hand breast, 23 lymph nodes removed, four of which were oestrogen positive.

    - May 2012: Treated with five cycles of combination chemotherapy treatment?

    - 20 Aug 2012: The greatest day! The birth of the wonderful Samuel Ahi Davis Thompson. ?

    - Sept 2012: 25 days of radiotherapy treatment on removed mammary area ?

    - Oct 2012: More chemotherapy. Once a week for nine weeks.?

    - Jan 2013: Initiation of Tamoxifen tablets, the standard treatment for estrogen receptor positive breast cancer?

    - Jan 2014: Breast reconstruction surgery. The new boob!?

    - Feb 2014: Lump under the right armpit discovered.? - Mar 2014: Lymph node removed, tumour found to be triple negative and therefore not responsive to hormonal therapies.?

    - June 2014: Another triple negative tumour in the right hand side is removed ?

    - Aug 2014: Daily Capecitabine chemotherapy tablets initiated.?

    - Jan 2015: Further tumour growth in chest wall. Portacath installed in chest to help direct chemotherapy into directly into body without the need for any more needles into the well-used veins. ? - Feb 15: Weekly intravenous chemotherapy initiated.

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