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Help baby Declan's long journey ahead

  • Declan’s 9 months

      13 April 2026
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    On Behalf of our family expecially Baby Declan we hope everyone has had a safe and great Easter 🐣 a little update to where we are at at the moment…

    Next Month Declan is having another MRI to check in to see where the tumour was from there we will have a meeting with all the medical team at starship to discuss where to and Declan’s ongoing care/treatment journey so please keep him in your thoughts.

    He has definitely enjoyed living his best life back at home with his brothers with no hospital trips for a few weeks which is great for us and gives us all a break and a rest to try and process this unimaginable journey we have been on.

    Declan is 9 months old now and is on the move which is amazing to see considering what he’s been through and what life had thrown at him but he’s definitely making up for lost time and am hoping we can have some normality coming up.

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  • Declan finally gets a break from Hospitals for 3 months

      4 March 2026
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    Declan’s mum here I’m just wanting to update each and every one of you who have been following along Declan’s journey with us.

    Declan’s recent MRI showed that the part they were worried about on his brain stem is no longer a concern this is a huge relief to us and meant he didn’t need to have the aggressive chemotherapy that was planned, although the MRI showed residue where the brain tumour was which they are unsure about to wether it is scar tissue or tumour. If this is tumour then they will need to reopen and go back in to remove it.

    Fingers crossed it’s just scar tissue as poor Declan needs a break and to be able to enjoy being a baby and doing everything he should be doing 😊

    Today Declan had minor surgery back at starship to have his Line taken out (PICC line) this is great as the little man keeps trying to pull it out so atleast now he can enjoy life and have his first swim with his older siblings. Unfortunately because of the chemo he had last November he’s had to re do all his imms so had his 3 month ones also today, this poor little boy has definitely had a rough start but still remains to be the happiest bravest boy and blows our minds every single day. After spending 6 days in Palmerston North hospital after returning home last time from starship with a nasty gastro bug we can finally have a break from hospitals. The Team at starship are so happy with how Declan is doing and how good his scar has healed which is all positive news for us.

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    • 05/03/2026 by Mike

      Go you little man and may God Bless....

  • February updates for Baby Declan

      9 February 2026
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    This week we travel back to Auckland for another MRI to see what is planned next for Declan’s journey back in January he had a lumbar puncture that came back negative which is a great result as they were testing his spinal fluid to see wether it showed what could be LMD Leptomeningeal disease (LMD), or Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis, is a rare, severe complication of cancer where malignant cells spread to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and the thin membranes (leptomeninges) surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It typically occurs in advanced stages of cancers like breast, lung, and melanoma.

    We are hoping for some positive news as Declan in himself is still the happy smiley baby he’s always been and now has 2 bottom teeth and is growing and hitting his milestones every single day he just absolutely amazes us and we are so Greatful for all the love and support as well as donations while we continue this heartbreaking journey we just want to focus on being by Declan’s side the whole way without having to worry about expenses and everyday bills while we navigate our way through this x

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    • 09/02/2026 by Jacqueline

      Declan is a gorgeous wee boy. Praying for positive news for you all ☺️

    • 09/02/2026 by Emma McComb

      From our Family I just want to say from the bottom of

      Our hearts Thankyou to each and every one of you who have travelled this journey with us and everyone who has donated it really does mean alot it’s not easy travelling back and forth 8 hours each way with Declan’s other brothers as we have another special 9 year old who is high needs from a stroke at birth and depends on myself (mum) for everything he needs but we take it da by day and am really overwhelmed by all the love from all over xx

  • Declan’s scar from big surgery

      7 January 2026
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    Such a handsome strong brave boy, we love him so very much

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    • 09/02/2026 by Emma McComb

      Thankyou he really is the sweetest little boy 😍

  • Declan’s Journey Update

      7 January 2026
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    This handsome brave boy is 6 months old now and has successfully recovered from his big 9 hour surgery, which was first to stop the blood flow feeding the tumour followed by the surgery to remove the full tumour successfully. Unfortunately after the shunt was put in and a round of chemo was given to Baby Declan it showed the tumour had grown quite quickly so the urgency to remove the tumour came around quicker than we expected.

    The Doctors and staff at Starship were amazing and took very good care of Declan and we are beyond blessed. Declan has grown and put on heaps of weight and doing what every other 6 month old baby should be doing despite what he has been through he still has the biggest smile on his face that he shares with everyone.

    The very rare tumour Declan has was an Atypical choroid plexus papilloma we are still waiting on more tests to confirm and discuss the next steps.

    Declan’s meant to be undergoing a more agressive round of chemotherapy in the next few weeks due to a part of his brain steam showing an area of concern.

    We just want to take this time to Thank each and every one who has supported in any way throughout this tough journey we are facing it really does mean the world to us so please keep Baby Declan in your thoughts and I will update this page as we navigate our way through this journey right by his side X

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  • Keep Declan in your thoughts

      14 December 2025
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    ❤️❤️❤️❤️

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    • 15/12/2025 by Mike

      You're my thoughts and I wish Declan the best care and outcome this week

  • Declan’s Surgery

      14 December 2025
    Posted by: Declans Mum Emma McComb
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    Declan had his MRI post Chemo down in Wellington on the 9th December and unfortunately the chemo has not shrunk the tumour at all in fact it has grown we are heart broken 💔 Declan and his Dad have flown back to starship today and I will be driving up tomorrow (Sunday) as they are proceeding with the surgery Monday the 15th where they are hoping to remove the tumour safely but do a procedure before hand to stop the blood flow feeding the tumour. There are so many risks that we have been informed about re the surgery and we are really hoping for a positive outcome so please keep Baby Declan in your thoughts and Thank you to each and every one of you who have donated to help through this unfair time 🥹

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  • Declan's update

      8 November 2025
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    UPDATE!

    Declan had 1 of his first surgeries and that was putting a shunt in so they can drain the excess fluid from his brain to his abdomen as removing the tumor isnt the best thing to do atm as he is still so tiny and would be life threating!

    While the oncologist, surgical nurse and specialist came together they said the are concerned about a few bits the lit up in Declan's MRI, they suspect cancer.

    So on 12th November, they will be travelling back to starship hospital for Declan's first round of chemotherapy.

    Pretty sad and heart breaking news but we have to be positive and be the best support team for Jay and Emma and there kids.

    Much love

    Mon

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