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🦆Donna Duckies Cancer Journey 🎗 loving mum of 3 boys.

  • Duckie's October update🦆

      7 October 2022

    Hi Everyone

    Well it’s a year today that I was diagnosed and what a roller coaster it’s been for me. I’ve had 17 chemo treatments, 3 minor surgeries and a few stays in hospital. I not going to lie it’s been the hardest year of my entire life and for my boys 😢

    Yes my tumour markers are down but I’m definitely not out of the woods by any means. Things have got better now that I manage my pain better now that’s for sure. I still have the bowel issues and not knowing when and how much laxatives to take to get things going. This is very frustrating because if I don’t take enough I get severe pain in my abdomen and need additional quick release morphine.

    Thank you to my mum for coming over each time I have chemo and looking after me and my boys, my boys Matt, Jack, and Daniel for your unconditional love, my family, friends, the Matamata community and my work place Westpac for there continued support. To all of those wonderful people who have driven me to chemo, appts, surgeries or to A&E I can’t thank you all enough for taking the time out of your day. Without all of you I wouldn’t be able to cope. It certainly takes a weight off my shoulder that’s for sure.

    I have my next CT scan on Monday 17th October to see how my things are going and my oncologist on 20th October. I’m really nervous this time since I had my little set back in August with my liver.

    I will keep you all posted though.

    Lots of love Duckie ❤️

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    • 08/10/2022 by Jodi & Alan

      Hi Donna - even though we aren’t in your face every day you need to know we are always thinking of you & always wishing you the best results. Look forward to next to your next positive review.

  • Extension on Donna's give a little

      23 September 2022

    Hi guys, i just extended this page for Donna as she is still battling away trying to beat this Bowel Cancer. We thank every single one of you who have contributed to help Donna through this past year. Donna has had many days off work to attend appointments for chemo and loads of doctors and specialist appointments many hard days at home trying to fight the hard days of feeling sick. Please keep her in your thoughts and if you have any spare coin you can donate it always goes where its needed to support Donna's journey of recovery.

    Melissa ❣️

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  • Spring time update 💛🌻💛

      1 September 2022

    Hey Everyone

    Sorry it’s been so long since I’ve posted. I’ve had a lot of things going on.

    It was great to not have chemo for 2 months. I managed to slip in a few good times. Weekend in Auckland and went to the All Black game (yes the one they won) lol took my boys to the luges for the day and to Stratosphere for dinner. Thanks for all the other people who I’ve caught up with for lunch/coffees it’s always so lovely to know people care ❤️‍🩹

    I’d also like to make a massive shoutout to Kellie @ Wellness Connect in Matamata for treating me as a gift throughout this time. My body feels so much better and I can’t thank you enough. We truly have some lovely people in our community.

    So during this time off I had the flu for 3 weeks. It was so hard to shake off. At the beginning of August I started getting this terrible pain under my right rib and was in bed for 2 days. I was walking bent over like a nana and had zero energy or appetite. After trying to cope with this for a few days thinking this will get better I reached out to my oncology nurse and they increased my morphine and requested to get blood test. I had a major infection/inflammation and they didn’t know what was happening. I had a CT scan the next day and this confirmed my cancer has grown back quickly during my 2 month break and was inflamed and had been bleeding from being on blood thinners (we have now reduced my dosage). They wanted me to start chemo the next day to help with the pain I’d been having along with keeping my cancer at bay. I was also told I won’t be having any more long breaks off chemo maybe 1-2 treatments at the most. This hit me really hard and that’s why it’s taken this long to update my journey.

    I’m back to my cheery self now and have just had my 2nd treatment this round 15th In total.

    I would also like thanks those special friends who have dropped off meals and been around at my house spring cleaning during this time.

    Thanks you all for your support I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart ❤️

    Lots of love Donna Duckie 😘

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  • Mid year update on Donna Duckie

      29 June 2022
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    Hey everyone I’m back 😊

    I had my last chemo on 10th June (5th round) and are now having a break till 25th August which is good news.

    I had a CT scan and caught up with my oncologist after my last chemo. He’s very happy that the 6 spots on my lungs have now gone but was a little disappointed in the progress in my liver and bowel area. I let him know I had had covid and probably hadn’t fully recovered when I started my treatment this round. I found it took me about 2 months to fully recover and my first 3 rounds of chemo were very hard. My tumour markers are down to 25 now but will obviously go up over this time off chemo. I’m scheduled for another CT before I start chemo again and a catch up with the oncologist.

    We talked a lot about the pain I’ve been in and came up with a new pain plan which seems to be working great guns. It just means that I’m on morphine most of the time during treatment. My bowels seem to be working better so that’s a massive headache off my chest.

    I celebrated my 51st birthday last week and had a fabulous day. Got spilt rotten from friends and family. I unfortunately come down with the flu pretty quick on Saturday morning so just trying to shake that off at the moment.

    I have an exciting weekend ahead. A special friend of mine is taking Daniel and I to sky city for 2 nights and to the All Blacks game on Saturday night. It’s all good to have things planned when your going through this so I thank my BFF very much for planning this for me 🥰❤️ Making memeories xx

    I was planning to go to Fiji to get some vitamin D but it just hasn’t worked out which is sad for my lily white legs haha

    I have told my oncologist that I won’t be doing chemo during December and January this year as I want to enjoy the summer with everyone. He told me to hold up I’m getting way to far ahead haha but anyone that knows me knows that I like to know and plan exactly what’s happening lol 😂

    Thanks to all those people who are still in contact with me on a regular basis and are coming to help out when things need to be done. You all know who you are xxx

    Lots of love your determined, strong Donna Duckie ❤️‍🩹

    PS And a massive thanks to my mum Averil Tozer who loves coming over to cook and clean for me for a week each fortnight. I know you love it haha you can have two months off now on holiday ❤️‍🩹

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  • Donna Duckie is back above water again lol

      29 April 2022
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    Hi everyone,

    So yesterday I had my second round of chemo. That went really well today and my port behaved itself as well.

    Some of you will know this but my first round of chemo this round was the hardest I’ve ever been through. I wasn’t fully recovered from covid and suffered so badly from pain, diarrhoea vomiting and nausea. I went back to hospital last week to get a abdomen X-ray to ensure I didn’t have a blockage or my stent hadn’t and it was fine. I saw my oncologist as well who doesn’t know what to put it down to except covid. I also struggled so much with abdominal pain, mentally, emotionally and physically this time. It’s been a hard road and very frustrating for me.

    Thankfully I had a lot more strength yesterday and so far aren’t feeling to bad. I’m only suppose to be having 2 more chemos and another 2 month break but my tumour markers have moved upwards to 77. So who knows I may need a few extra rounds of chemo. At least I’m aware of it and will definitely look forward to another break.

    I have a few exciting things planned ahead so hoping this 2 month break runs a lot smoother than the last one.

    I want to thank all those people that have reached out to me in different ways. I know you all care and I’m a stubborn independent women haha I need to learn to take help from people that offer I know.

    My head space is back to where it needs to be now and I’m back at work when I can without over doing it. I need to learn to listen to my body and not over do things. Well that’s what you all tell me haha

    Love to you all and thank you to each and every one of you 🙏❤️🥰

    Donna x

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  • 🥳New year update 🥳

      20 January 2022
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    To all my supportive friends and family

    Well today is the day I found out what’s been happening with the treatment I have been having since 28th October.

    I met with my oncologist to check on my CT scan and blood results. My markers have dropped to 36 from the 700 they were when I began chemo. And the next result is that 90% of my cancer has gone. His recommendation now is to have one more chemo after today and I’m allowed to be on 2 months on and off chemo. I will still have blood tests monthly to check on my markers to ensure they are at bay or not increasing rapidly.

    I’m honestly so so happy right now. I was hoping for a break in chemo over summer to feel a little normal again.

    Thank you all for your support, it means so so much to me. The photo below is me having chemo with a big smile on my face. (I’m trying not to be to happy in the chemo ward though).

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  • A note from Donna💕

      6 January 2022
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    Happy New Year everyone

    It’s been awhile since I’ve posted on here. Life gets busy 😊 especially around Christmas 🤶

    I’m sitting here today having my 6th chemo treatment. I’ve been coping pretty well with the chemo. The thing I find the hardest is the fatigue. My mind says I can do whatever I want but my body just can’t. It’s a little frustrating for little miss independent haha

    Before Xmas I met with my oncologist and she let me know my tumour markers (from blood tests) have dropped a lot and I couldn’t ask for a better result. The telling results will be when I have my CT scan on 11th Jan and then meet with the oncologist again on 20th Jan.

    It will be so good to hear that the chemo is actually working. Its hard having the treatment and not knowing the results as your going along.

    Don’t worry everyone I still have my wit about me haha and are very positive about kicking cancers butt.

    I will be sure to update you all with my results when I see the oncologist next time.

    Love to you all. Here’s a photo of me in Néw Plymouth trying to do some exercise haha

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  • Thankyou

      10 November 2021
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    Hey everyone,

    Just want to express many thanks to everyone who has supported this page and contributed to helping Donna on her cancer journey so far 💕

    Tomorrow Donna heads back to Waikato Hospital to get another round of chemotherapy, so cool she now has her port in and can attend as a outpatient.

    Please keep her in your thoughts always and if you can please share this Give a little page for on going support.

    Il do my best to give updates on Donna's journey as much as i can.

    Melissa 😊

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  • Donna's update

      2 November 2021

    On Monday the 8th of November, Donna will be going in for a day planned surgery to get her port put in, so she can be a out patient and receive her chemotherapy this way. It will be a much nicer experience for Donna to be able to have this option. Donna will go over every fortnight on a Thursday to receive a few hours of chemotherapy and return home to finish off the bags of chemo and have the comfort of her own home.

    Today i visited Donna and her words were " i could eat a lion today"😂😂 Donna hasn't had much of a appetite, and had some small complications with her bowel movements but on a whole she is doing as well as can be. It was nice to see her having a good day so far today. Please keep her in your prayers and continue to share this give a little page to help her to get the funds i know she will be needling with all sick days used up at work and a long road to go with treatment etc. Nothing like grouping together to help ease her financial side when no income coming in.

    Melissa 💕

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    • 21/01/2022 by Tracy Doudell

      So awesome to read the wonderful news Donna, onwards & upwards chick, well done xx