F#*k Cancer
Help Aja and Phil get through this time.
Dunedin, Otago
Just last week, my beautiful wife Aja (44 years old) was diagnosed with a cancer in her left breast, Lobular Carcinoma to be exact. This was a terrible shock to Aja, myself (Phil) and our extended family here and in the USA and we’re still trying to process this all.
Aja has been through multiple tests and is about to undergo a Mastectomy and then there is possible Chemotherapy and Hormone Therapy too.
We have no idea of the road ahead, but we know it's going to be tough going.
Aja is incredible, she is caring, kind, creative, selfless and always tries to be there for myself and our families.
I’m asking for some help while we go through this battle, to help us have one less thing to worry about.
Please, if you can, whether large or small, help my incredible wife as she has to take a step away from her clients, her livelihood and her passion to focus on her health and her healing.
Any and all support makes a huge difference financially while Aja is unwell with day to day bills and cost of living with no income.
Please see Aja's previous Givealittle page here: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/fk-cancer-fundraiser
Phil McDonald's involvement (page creator)
Aja is my beautiful wife. We’ve been together for 14 years.
I just want her to be healthy and to be able to stress less.
Use of funds
Dropping to one income for potentially months is terrifying, and is actually one of the biggest stresses imaginable, so contributing to day to day cost of living, necessities and giving some peace of mind.
Other page links
Latest update
Pre Op - T minus 10 days 12 March 2024
Today is Aja’s final Pre Op w the surgeon ahead of her reconstructive surgery on the 22nd.
Quite a milestone to get here and the start of a couple months of surgical rehab and recovery.
The procedure for those that want to know is called a DIEP flap. Very similar to the traditional Tram Flap procedure but this does not remove any of the stomach muscles, leaving a much better healing result for the donor area and a less invasive recovery time.
Still, going to be anywhere from 8-12 hours under anaesthetic and then 3-5 days in Mercy again.
That will again be followed with home & bed rest for 6-8 weeks while both surgical areas heal.
Oddly I’m glad we’ve done all the wound drain stuff before so there’s nothing to fear except a stupid giant puppy who is going to be unable to pile onto Mum in the mornings for a while. 😜
As always, I’m just inspired by Aja’s work ethic and drive.
Surgeon asked her to reduce her BMI a little and overall weight for the surgery, and she has diligently done everything asked of her by her nutrition and gym support system (major thanks to Bella, Lynette, Bruno and the rest of The Wellness Gym ❤️🫂❤️)
If there’s any updates after today’s appointment I’ll post them but just wanted to loop you all in.
Aroha Nui ❤️
Latest donations
Thank you Phill 🫂
As always, thank you both. Love you guys
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