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Eva Slays the Leukemia Dragon

  • 100 days past transplant

      26 June 2020

    It is 100 days past transplant and Eva is doing well. She is off all medications and the main concern at the moment is her weight. She's had an NG tube put in again to help, much to her displeasure. We've fought an epic battle against the dragon with you all in our army.

    Our family wish to thank each and everyone of you for your love and financial support through the past 7 months. Every message is read and appreciated. We are eternally grateful!

    On July 3rd Eva turns 6! Each milestone is seems so much more significant now.

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  • May Update

      18 May 2020

    It has been 60 days since Eva received her Bone Marrow Transplant!

    There have been many ups and downs, unexpected health issues crop up, but she has come a long way!

    The family are very excited to head back to their home town of Springston this week!

    Eva will fly to Auckland weekly for checkups until the doctors see her platelets return to normal range and no signs of GVHD.

    Then visits will be fortnightly, then monthly.

    Until she can have her childhood vaccinations again 12 months after transplant, Eva can't return to school and caution will be taken around who she sees and where she goes. Mum won't be able to return to work and will homeschool Eva.

    Sharlene and Robin wish to thank everyone for your heartfelt messages and kindness.

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  • Shave for Eva the Dragon Slayer

      31 March 2020
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    A few months ago a family friend, Anna, committed to shaving her very long hair off to raise money for our family. She took pledges, shared in community groups, local paper, and social media. Her lofty goal of $5000 was exceeded and $6015 was raised! Our family are astounded by Anna's courage and support. We will be forever grateful to Anna and all those that pledged.

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  • Bone Marrow Transplant

      28 March 2020

    On the 19th of March Eva received her bone marrow transplant. It was a tough regimen of chemo for the 8 days leading up to it and since then too.

    Eva's been very very sick and is on strong pain relief. They take each day as it comes.

    Dad and little brother have relocated to Auckland for the next 2 months.

    With COVID19 and New Zealand and hospital being in lockdown, they are sharing the care of both children in shifts.

    Once engraftment takes place about 3-4 weeks after transplant, Eva should start to improve.

    Thank you for everyone's love at this challenging time.

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  • Starship

      6 March 2020
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    Eva had a bone marrow aspirate on March 2nd. The results were not good. This leukemia is proving to be very stubborn. Her bone marrow transplant (BMT) is approved and on Tuesday 10th March Eva will fly to Starship Hospital in Auckland to start the process. The family is prepared for 4 months of Eva and Mum being away from Christchurch, with Dad and little brother visiting on the weekends. While one adult flight a week is funded, sibling flights are not.

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    • 06/03/2020 by Rachel Rolton

      Edited to add:

      There are a bunch of challenges ahead - medical, emotional, financial, logistical - and any financial support the family receive is humbly accepted.

    • 10/03/2020 by Katrina

      Why don't you approach Air NZ with the situation and see if they can come to the party and assist with the flights.

      Worth a shot as they are pretty good with things like this..

      Good luck family, it is hard to be a part at times like this. Stay strong and thinking of you all.

  • February Update

      9 February 2020

    Update for give a little page:

    Eva had her end of second cycle bone marrow aspirate on Wednesday 29th January. Sadly, the results showed the higher dose of chemotherapy didn't get her into a remission. The family had 2 and a half days at home together before returning to hospital on the 3rd of February.

    Eva has just had 5 days of a different chemo drug Etoposide, and the doctors hope this will get her to remission. The less disease remaining, the better chance of a stem cell transplant curing her. She will soon be neutropenic again (no immunity) and at high risk of infections. As her bone marrow starts to recover they will relocate to Starship Children's Hospital in Auckland. Mum is currently ill herself with a tonsil abscess and has had to become a hospital patient, creating more strain on Dad to care for Eva, Will, and meet work commitments!

    Thank you to everyone for giving a little - it's helping a lot.

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  • 29th Dec Update

      29 December 2019
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    It was lovely to be home for christmas. A bone marrow test at the end of the first chemotherapy showe Eva's bone marrow has not responded as well as hoped to the chemo and she will need a bone marrow transplant. This week she started even more aggressive chemo and we all got tissue tested to see if we are a donor match. This cycle involves 2 extra different chemo drugs with their own harsh side effects. Then we are looking at 3 months or longer in Auckland Starship hospital, away from each other, our family, friends and support network.

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  • Two weeks since diagnosis

      21 November 2019

    Two weeks since diagnosis and 2 more chemotherapy doses to go in this cycle. Eva is doing well, responding to treatment as expected. She is now neutropenic and has no immunity against infections. She received her first 58 beads of courage today from the Child Cancer Foundation. Such a great acknowledgement for treatments so far. Please support this New Zealand charity to keep supporting children and families going through such tough times. Thank you for every message, donation, gift, fundraiser, act of kindness and prayer.

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  • Update from the family

      14 November 2019
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    I can't believe it is one week since our lives changed forever with a simple blood test, because of some bruises.

    Eva's happy at the moment, after more middle of the night nausea. The doctor has added in the nausea-slaying meds and she's quite happy now.

    Once again, the way people are rallying and supporting us is amazing and we can't say thank you enough ❤

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