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Help Our Angela Who Has Metastatic Bone Cancer

  • May 2022 Update - New Medication Regime - Visit to Whanau

      22 May 2022

    A quick update for May 2022

    Angela's new chemotherapy and bone infusion regimes are giving her some respite and a little pain relief.

    She now visits the hospital to have her chemotherapy treatment on a Monday for two successive weeks, then gets a week off for a break. Ange says the new chemo is OK and she can manage the discomfort and pain - the week off from having treatment is a bonus.

    Latest scans have shown slight improvement from the periodic bone infusions but still having a lot of pain in her back for which the specialists can not pin-point the cause. The bone infusions are not pleasant and give her a lot of pain for days afterwards. She has no more radiation planned at this stage.

    Angela has planned a trip to Taranaki to visit her very large whanau up there - most have not seen her since 2017 when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. We all hope flights up and back are not too uncomfortable for her, as her mobility is still limited after the pin was inserted in her thigh. We will spoil here while she is here.

    Again, much love and many thanks to all who have supported Angela on her nearly five year journey - We all really appreciate it.

    John, Glenys and Family

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  • Also - A Huge Thank You!

      14 March 2022

    Angela would personally like to thank you all for your support, kinds words & assistance over the last few years - she really appreciates knowing so many people, family, friends and donors care. Much love & heartfelt thanks to you all.

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  • March Update From Angela

      31 January 2022

    Here we are in March 2022 and it's been over 4 years now since Angela was first diagnosed with breast cancer, went through breast removal / reconstruction surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and a drug regime that made her ill.

    Mid 2020 brought another diagnosis that the cancer had metastasized in her bones and was spreading through her spine, ribs, hip and femur. An increased drug regime, surgery to inserted a rod (pin) in her femur, and trying different pain and cancer drugs did not seem to be having much of an effect.

    Results of a recent CT scan to see how the cancer is spreading came back 'inconclusive" but further meetings with specialists ascertained the current chemo drug was causing her skin problems and making her very ill. It turns out she was allergic to it all along so they have taken her off it.

    Ange has had a break from chemo for a few weeks, is feeling a little better, her skin is clearing up and her mobility has improved - she'll be trying a new 'chemo infusion' soon, which will be once each week for two weeks then a week off. Lets hope that works!

    Angela is taking each day as it comes - mostly working on keeping pain at bay & attending her appointments at oncology - hopefully if she is well enough Angela would like to fly up to visit her family in Taranaki - let's keep our fingers crossed that she can.

    Huge thanks to our family members and friends for taking Angela to her appointments, shopping and other reasons for travel. Love to you all.

    John

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  • December 2021 Update About Our Angela's Progress

      31 December 2021

    Hi Everyone - We hope you have all had a lovely Xmas with Family and Friends.

    Thank you all for your generous support since we started this page for Angela - we're just back from spending time with her over the break and would just like to update you all on her progress.

    Since the last update there have been a few changes - the medication I-brance that was prescribed did not do what it was meant to, so Angela has had to stop taking it, and try an alternative Chemo drug. In the interim, she has also had an operation to insert a pin / rod into her right femur, from hip to knee to give her a little mobility / pain relief as the cancer spreads through her hip, thigh, back & ribs.

    The operation was a success but the continued spread of the cancer & subsequent radiation treatments has increased her pain, requiring changes and increases to her pain medication regime. Her mobility is also affected due to the pain and now needs to use a walking frame some of the time when the pain is too much.

    Angela is due to have a CT scan in the new year to look at the extent of how / where the cancer has spread to. It's a horrible insidious disease that for Angela, unfortunately there is no cure - it's just a matter of keeping on top of the pain and time now.

    Thank you again for all your ongoing support - that has enabled her to get a comfortable bed, a reclining lounge chair where she spends the majority of her days and many other necessities used to make her days as comfortable as possible.

    Kind regards and love to you all - Angela, John & Glenys, Tracy, James and all our family.

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  • Angela's October Update

      2 October 2021

    Angela would like to thank all those who have recently supported her on her journey with cancer. At the moment Ange is just continuing her medical / drug regime although in constant pain every day now. She has been having regular checkups with her doctor, oncology & specialists, infusions, and has recently had to update her meds to cope with the increase in pain level. Will keep you all updated with any changes as they arise.

    John

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  • Angela's Give a Little Page Closing Soon

      1 September 2021

    Angela would like to thank everyone who has supported her over the last year, not only for your generous financial support, but for all the other assistance, love and care her family and friends have provided as she continues on her journey with cancer.

    Also a huge vote of thanks to her Doctor, Specialists and other health professionals that have looked after her. The level of patient care has been absolutely amazing. If you wish to make a donation this page will be live until the 1st of December 2021.

    Thank you all

    John, Glenys, Angela, James, Tracy and families.

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  • June Update from Angela

      10 June 2021

    Angela would like to express her gratitude to everyone who has supported her during the last 12 months since her bone cancer diagnosis. Angela is a very private person and has been completely overwhelmed and humbled by the messages of support, love and kindness, from you all, whether by text, private message, online or in person.

    Your support has enabled Ange to purchase a few things she needed to help with her comfort levels, and make her day to day life a little easier, a little less stressful. A new bed is helping her sleeping, and she recently was taken on a short holiday around the South Islands by two lifelong best friends (You know who you are and we love you guys!)

    Over the past 12 months Angela has continued with her regime of maintenance treatment, infusions and medications to minimize her pain, and prolong her life a little. “It is what it is – just have to get on with it” she says. Although she tolerates the treatments well, her symptoms and the pain worsen a little every day.

    Angela said that she feels so lucky to be living in New Zealand, with the medical services, support and drug funding available for cancer patients here. Her Doctors, Specialists, Hospital and the NZ Cancer Society have all been amazing in supporting her on her journey.

    Once again, from Angela and all her family, massive thanks and gratitude for your love & support: we will keep you updated as her journey progresses.

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  • Thank You All

      16 October 2020

    A huge THANK YOU to all who have supported Angela's cause so far.

    To family, friends and even you who don't know Ange personally - we really appreciate your donations and all your messages and kind thoughts.

    Love to you all.

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