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Ella's Fight Against Cancer: Join Us in Raising Funds for Immunotherapy Treatment

  • That's a wrap

      28 February 2024
    Posted by: Ella Scown
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    I have now finished all of my treatment and I am getting back into the new normal. 2024 is going to be the year of good health and travel!! Mum, Dad, Gemma, Tim, Lewis and I have a trip to Thailand booked on 17 May and to say we are excited would be an understatement… Lewis and I are then continuing with some travel before setting up in London in August. We plan to stay a few years while I get to know his family before coming back to NZ and settling down.

    One unfortunate update, that I wish I didn’t have to give, is that I have now been diagnosed with immunotherapy induced Addison's disease. We knew there was a small risk (less than 1%) but we thought the statistics might have been a bit kinder considering I was also told the chances of having been diagnosed with breast cancer at my age was under 2.6%. I am still in the diagnosis stage but I will likely be on 3x daily medication for the rest of my life. I am finding that it is quite manageable. I don’t have any regrets and I wouldn’t change my decision if I had my time again - what is most important is that I can say I am cancer-free.

    From me and the rest of the family - thank you to everyone who donated, messaged or sent us positive vibes, thoughts and prayers. It means the absolute world that our family and friends have been amazingly supportive over what was a very bad year (to say the least). Onwards and upwards, we are very excited for 2024!!

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  • Radiation in the Tron

      16 January 2024
    Posted by: Ella Scown
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    At the beginning of January I started radiation treatment in Hamilton. Today marks halfway! Gemma and I went to Duck Island ice-cream to celebrate.

    I have been lucky enough to get a spot staying at the Cancer Society's Lions Lodge. I have a great motel room with a view of Lake Rotoroa. The Lodge provides meals and also transport to and from the hospital. I go to the hospital once every weekday for 4 weeks. The treatment itself is painless and I just lay in a big machine in a very specific position. Side effects are delayed so I'm not exactly sure what I am in for but I am happy to do what it takes to finish up the last bit of my treatment.

    Looking forward to putting this behind me and focusing on the rest of 2024!! Our family have booked a trip to Thailand in mid-May to treat ourselves after a horrific year. Lewis and I are then going on to live in London to be closer to his family for a few years. We have a lot to look forward to :)

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  • It's nearly over!

      17 November 2023
    Posted by: Ella Scown
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    In the original post, back when the page was started, we were fundraising to improve my chances of achieving ‘pathological complete remission’ (PCR). That basically means an increased chance that all signs of cancer are 100% eradicated.

    Well… we have achieved PCR!! I AM CANCER FREE!! We are absolutely over the moon and so thankful for everyone who has supported me and contributed to this page.

    I still have to undergo radiation treatment to ensure it doesn’t come back but we are celebrating this as a win! While we wait for a radiation appointment, I am focusing on recovering from surgery and getting back into health and exercise. I have signed up for a 10km run at the beginning of February. Not quite a marathon but it is a start!

    As my energy starts to come back I hope to catch up with a lot of you over summer :)

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    • 19/11/2023 by Gail

      Ella that is fantastic news. We are all so delighted for you. Look forward to catching up with you soon and enjoying a celebratory drink 🥂

  • I already thought I had the best sister ever and then she ran a marathon for me...

      3 November 2023
    Posted by: Ella Scown
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    I already thought I had the best sister ever and then she ran a marathon for me

    After I got diagnosed Gemma and Tim started training for a marathon to raise funds for my treatment. Over winter they have been out running wind, rain or shine. A couple of toe-nails were lost, blisters formed and Tim came to the horrifying realisation that kiwifruit are a laxative.

    Last Sunday all that training was put to the test during the Auckland marathon. They got up and left the house at 4am and ran through the finish line hand in hand 4hrs and 42mins later. Needless to say we had a celebratory beverage ready for them at the finish line. Thank you also to Chris, Niki and their girls who flew up from Invercargill to act as cheerleaders!

    Not only did Gemma and Tim raise over $50,000 but they also raised my morale these past few months. It was amazing to watch their dedication. I couldn’t be more proud and more appreciative (many tears were shed at the finish line). It has meant the world to me to feel so supported.

    Love you Gemma and Tim!

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  • Busy October!

      23 October 2023
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    A lot has been going on this month!

    We put on our tutus and completed the 10km Pink Ribbon walk. While it was a breeze for our two marathon athletes, our cancer patient had to be dragged up a few hills! We walked though the finish line hand in hand feeling very accomplished.

    Ella had her surgery on the 20th. She had a hookwire guided donut mastopexy, sentinel lymph node biopsy and her portacath (used for chemo infusion) removed. It was a pretty uncomfortable lead up to surgery day with some painful pre-appointments - she is sick of being poked, cut and squashed into various machines! She spent one night in hospital and overall had a pretty positive experience. Everything went as well as it could have gone and the surgeon was very happy. We won’t know the outcome of the surgery, or future treatment plans, until the results come back from pathology in a few weeks. Taking it one step at a time and just focusing on rest and recuperation for now.

    The marathon is the next event on the horizon. This time next week Tim and I will be finished and toasting with a glass of champagne!

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    • 25/10/2023 by Jennifer Jane

      All the best Tim & Gemma with the marathon this weekend and let's hope your pathology results are good Ella. Thinking of you all, Jennyx

  • Chemo Complete!

      19 September 2023
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    Ella had her last chemo infusion on Thursday last week. Cycle 2 has been extremely challenging. Managing the side effects for the past 8 weeks has been very difficult. They were much worse than anticipated and definitely took a toll mentally and physically, taking about a week to recover after each dose. It is an exciting milestone to reach but there is still a battle to be fought!

    Ella's tumour originally measured 2.4cm and, thanks to the chemo and immunotherapy, the doctor estimates that it is now about the size of a grain of rice. We are so happy with that result and it makes everything she has gone through worth it! Surgery is penciled in for the end of October to get rid of the tumour once and for all. Followed by potential radiation treatment afterwards to make sure the cancer stays gone.

    Tim and I completed the Mount Maunganui half marathon about a month ago which was exciting to experience a proper race - I got a bit excited with our pace at the start, lucky I had Tim to keep us to our pace plan. Less than 6 weeks to go for the Auckland Marathon!

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    • 21/09/2023 by Gail

      Ella really delighted to hear your good news. So deserved after all you’ve so bravely been through. Onwards and upwards now xx

      Gemma & Tim I’m impressed by your determination to run a marathon. I will be cheering you on - as they say ‘you’ve got this’ xx

  • ooh we're (over) halfway there

      24 July 2023
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    Ella completed Cycle 1 of chemo last week so she has now done 12/20 weeks. This week (on her birthday!!) Cycle 2 begins. This involves a new drug, called AC, and fortnightly treatments instead of weekly. We are expecting a few new side effects but nothing that can’t be managed with medication. The Nursing/Care team are amazing at responding when Ella reports she is in any sort of discomfort.

    Post chemo treatment has begun to be discussed but, as everything is informed by how the chemo treatment performs, no solid plan has been decided upon. For now she is just concentrating on the next 8 weeks.

    Thank you for your ongoing support and messages :)

    Tim and I are in week 7 of 20 for our marathon training! Tim completed a half marathon on the weekend, though I had to cut it short on the advice of my physio. Don't worry though, I'll soon be back to running the full training programme.

    Until next time, Gem

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  • Halfway through chemo milestone!

      3 July 2023

    Ella just reached the half way point of her chemotherapy treatments. She has 3 weeks remaining of the current regime and then she starts phase 2. The count down to the end begins!

    We have received two bits of very good news over the past few weeks. Firstly, the oncologist has told us that the tumour is responding very well to treatment and has shrunk significantly. Secondly, the genetic test results came back completely normal - she does not carry the gene mutation that is linked to an increase risk of other cancers.

    Ella has felt incredibly supported over the past few months with messages, care packages and visits from friends and family members.

    Tim and I are in week four of a 20 week training plan for the marathon - feel free to follow me on Strava if you want to watch my runs!

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    • 03/07/2023 by Gail

      That is great news Ella. I admire your courage. And you too Gemma & Tim, taking on a marathon 💕

  • Quarter One Milestone

      30 May 2023
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    Last week Ella celebrated reaching the one quarter milestone of her chemotherapy treatment! Her second immunotherapy treatment has been completed, and the doctors are really happy with how she is responding - which is great news! As you can imagine she is feeling tired constantly but she had enough energy to attend a Breast Cancer Golf Fundraiser organised by our mums best friend Sara - It sounds like it was a very successful event :)

    In terms of the marathon training, Tim and I start our official plan on the 12th June and have a half marathon at Mount Maunganui booked for the 26th Aug. Time to treat myself to some better running shoes I think...

    Thanks all, Gem

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    • 01/06/2023 by Suzanne

      Take care Ella, we are thinking of you during your treatments, love Chris, Sue, Zoe and Sophie xxxx

  • Goal Updated

      3 May 2023

    Hi all, some of you may notice the increase in the fundraising goal. Unfortunately, after the first invoice, we discovered a mistake was made by the treatment team when creating the original quote and the cost is actually $20k higher. Thanks so much for your help so far, we have made a massive dent in our goal which will go a long way!

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  • Week 1 - First Immunotherapy

      30 April 2023

    A week since I started this Give-a-Little page and I am absolutely overwhelmed by the response! From the Scown family, a huge HUGE thank you for everyone’s generosity. We can’t believe the reach this page has had and Ella really appreciates all the messages of support.

    An update on her treatment: Ella had her first chemotherapy and immunotherapy sessions last week and overall she is doing okay. It's a long road ahead but she's glad week 1 is complete.

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