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Help Byron Find Light Through the Darkness- of navigating PMP cancer

  • Discharge

      23 December 2025
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    After 18 days since “the mother of all surgeries”, infections, blood clots, the loss of 9kgs, pain and discomfort, I have been discharged from the Waikato Hospital.

    I would like to thank everyone, friends and family for the donations, support and positive messages. To the (6+)surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses. Being as fit as I could be definitely helped letting the surgeons push harder.

    I am looking forward to making a successful recovery, but have a long road ahead, of discomfort, pain, ongoing medication, pain killers and daily blood thinning injections.

    I am also thankful to my mother Sam for keeping a close eye on me, supplying me with a comfortable bed and delicious nutritious food.

    I with everyone a very merry Christmas, I will see you all in the new year.

    Byron ✌🏼

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    • 27/12/2025 by Maxine

      Kia ora Byron, Sam, Amber and Roger. Good to hear from you Byron. You dont know me but I was a friend of your Mum and Dad's way back. Just to let you know I've been thinking of you. Bummer about the post-op complications and good to hear you got through all that 👍. Wishing you all the best with your recovery. Arohanui Max 💞

  • Post-Surgery- 11 Hours, Heated Chemo & a Huge Fight Ahead

      8 December 2025
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    Hi everyone,

    We wanted to share how things went with surgery. It was a massive 11-hour operation, and he went through far more than we expected. He received the full heated chemo (HIPEC), and the surgeons also had to remove part of his bowel and his gallbladder.

    One thing the team mentioned was that they didn’t want to cut through his six-pack 🤪They’ve said his fitness will play a huge role in helping him heal faster than most people do after a surgery of this size.

    Since the epidural was removed, the pain has been extremely hard. Even the smallest movements take everything out of him, and recovery is already proving to be brutal. He’s exhausted and in a lot of discomfort, but he’s fighting through every hour.

    We’re incredibly grateful for all the support, messages, and donations. Your kindness means more than you know, especially during these early, painful days of recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts as he begins this long climb back. ❤️❤️❤️

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  • Byron's Surgery

      30 November 2025
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    Hi everyone,

    Thank you all so much for the incredible support, donations, and messages. Byron reads every single one, and they truly lift him up during an unbelievably hard time.

    We wanted to share where things are at. Byron is scheduled for major surgery on the 2nd of December. It’s going to be long, complicated, and extremely tough on him, but he’s facing it with as much positivity as anyone possibly could.

    Over the past week he’s been making the most of the good days: having dinners with friends, going for runs with his running group, and trying to keep life feeling as normal as possible. Yesterday he posted that photo at Mt Maunganui with a peace sign up, maunga behind him and it really captures his strength and spirit.

    He has now packed up his place and moved everything to Mum’s, where he’ll be staying for the long months of recovery ahead. It’s a big and emotional step, but he’s meeting each part of this journey with determination and courage.

    We will keep this page updated as we head into surgery and throughout his recovery. Please keep him in your thoughts as the 2nd approaches. Your support means more than we can ever express.

    With love and gratitude,

    Amber & Family ❤️

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    • 02/12/2025 by Gillian

      It's the 2nd of December. My thoughts are with Byron 🌈

  • Surgery Date Confirmed – 2nd December

      15 November 2025
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    Hi everyone,

    My surgery is officially booked for the 2nd of December. I’ll have a PICC line put in on the 28th and will be admitted to Waikato Hospital on the 1st to prepare for what is honestly the biggest and scariest operation of my life (and I have had a few 😅)

    This surgery for PMP is massive, people who’ve had the same procedure talk about 20-hour operations and losing multiple organs. Hearing their stories is terrifying, but it’s also shown me what I’m up against and why this needs to be done.

    Having a date makes everything feel very real now. I’m trying to make the most of these last days of normal movement before a long, tough recovery.

    Thank you to everyone who’s supported me, I’m honestly leaning on you more than you know. ❤️

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  • Gratitude & Staying Positive 💙🤍💙

      2 October 2025
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    I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has supported me so far on the beginning of this long and rocky ride. The kindness and generosity shown, from family, friends, and even people across the world who don’t know me personally has blown me away.

    Your donations, messages, and encouragement mean more than I can ever express.

    Your support has helped me not just financially, but also mentally and physically. Knowing I am not facing this journey alone gives me strength every single day.

    Right now, I’m focusing on staying positive, following the recommended diet, and using supplements to prepare my body the best I can for the surgery and recovery ahead.

    Thank you again to each and every one of you who has donated or shared my story. I feel incredibly grateful to be surrounded by so much compassion. 💙

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  • Update: Preparing for HIPEC Surgery & Plan for the Funds.

      23 September 2025
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    Yesterday, Byron met with three surgeons and their specialist nurse to go through the plan for my upcoming Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC (Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy). This operation is known as “the mother of all surgeries” and will take many hours.

    The surgery will begin with an epidural for pain relief and protection during and after the operation. The surgeons will then carefully remove the peritoneum (the lining of my abdominal cavity) along with any visible tumours. Depending on what they find, they may also need to remove organs such as my spleen or parts of my intestine. Once this is complete, heated chemotherapy will be circulated directly into my abdomen for around 90 minutes to destroy any remaining cancer cells.

    Recovery will be long and intense. I will first be monitored in PACU and Critical Care, then spend two nights in HDU, followed by at least 15 nights on the ward while my body heals and drains fluid through multiple tubes.

    Thanks to your generosity, I can focus on recovery without the crushing stress of lost income. As a self-employed contractor with no sick or holiday pay, your donations will go towards living costs, uncovered medical costs, and supportive therapies that may aid my healing.

    Uncovered Medical Costs

    * Medications not fully funded by Pharmac (e.g., pain relief, anti-nausea, or other recovery-related drugs).

    * Additional scans, blood tests, or specialist appointments if they aren’t scheduled under public care.

    * Special equipment or supplies he may need at home after discharge (e.g., dressings, mobility aids, nutritional supplements) that aren’t provided by the hospital.

    * Complementary therapies, if recommended by his care team, such as acupuncture for nausea/pain, nutritional support, or other holistic approaches to aid recovery, he also has an extensive list of supplements and therapies leading upto the surgery that he would like to try.

    Your support means more than words can say. 💙

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