Back to page

Help Chris Battle Cancer

  • Update on Chris' radiation and more ...

      23 August 2024
    Main image

    Chris is pleased to advise that she has finished radiation. This has not been easy and has impacted on her day-to-day life – including side effects of headaches, hair loss, skin rashes, tinnitus and loss of taste and saliva just to name a few. Chris must now continue with Keytruda infusions through to February.

    The great news is that Chris has now reached the threshold, and the government is now paying for the Keytruda drug. Chris still must pay for the ongoing fees and administration per session, which amounts to over $1,300 every treatment which will end in February. It’s a shame the government funding that is proposed to start in October didn’t come early enough for her.

    Chris would like to thank you all so much for the donations and more importantly the support she has had throughout this journey. It has given her the encouragement to stay focused on the big picture of getting well again. So, on that note we have decided to close down the Givealittle Page.

    Once again many thanks for all your support xxxx

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Ready for radiotherapy

      25 July 2024
    Main image

    Chris is now feeling well after her surgery but just in case there are any ‘bits’ floating around that could become melanoma, she has been recommended to have radiotherapy. It’ll be an intense 3 weeks of radiation as it’s between her Keytruda infusions which need to continue.

    There’s quite a process before having radiation to the face. Chris had to see a dentist and facial surgeon to check her bones, teeth, jaw etc were OK prior to radiotherapy.

    The photo shows the mask that’s been made and, although it looks large, it’s made to cover her face and down to her collarbone as the area to be covered is from inside her left ear and down the side of her face and neck to the collarbone. Like anything there are risks including skin damage, loss of hearing and hair and impact to the nerve bundles around the neck, shoulder and arm.

    Chris is focussing on staying as positive and as well as she can, ready to face the next stage of her journey.

    We are all so appreciative for everyone's love and support towards Chris's journey to fight this beast. We still have another 7 months of Keytruda treatment to go so still a long process.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • An update from Chris

      21 June 2024
    Main image

    Hi all, Chris’ skin graft on her ear has nearly healed after the last op. You’ll see in the photo a round black area, that’s part of the skin graft. This top will come off so it’ll then look like new skin.

    However, the Radiology Oncologist is wanting to see Chris next week to discuss whether to proceed with radiotherapy or not … and so the journey continues.

    A friend kindly donated two nights away at his bach at Oamaru Bay in the Coromandel for a raffle which raised $1,300 towards Chris’ cancer. It’s great to see everyone getting behind her. Again she’d like to thank everyone for their support.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update on Chris' third surgery

      19 May 2024
    Main image

    Hi All, Chris has been recovering from her third op having more melanoma removed around and inside her ear canal. A skin graft was used from skin on her neck. Very clever work by the surgeon although the skin graft is still very swollen and dark looking until the top skin falls off. He did a great job taking skin from her neck which is healing very nicely. With the swelling she couldn’t hear, until the surgeon inserted a tube into her ear. It’s amazing what can be done.

    Again, she’d like to thank everyone so much for their generous donations and the meals, flowers and heart felt wishes sent. This support gives Chris the encouragement to remain positive to face the challenges ahead.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • An update from Chris

      7 May 2024
    Main image

    Hi all, Chris came out of hospital yesterday. Just three days after her three-monthly Pet scan Chris was booked in for more surgery to remove additional melanoma from around her ear and inside her ear canal. A skin graft was needed from her neck, skin grafts can be more painful than the surgery. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees this time that the melanoma won't come back.

    The surgeon has told Chris that when this heals, she will require 4-6 weeks of radiotherapy and then back onto the Keytruda treatments for another 9 months.

    We all would like to thank everyone who has either given donations, offers of help and very importantly, emotional support which is much appreciated. A number of people we don’t even know have given donations and also sent heart felt wishes, this has been extremely overwhelming, and the family just can’t thank everyone enough.

    Chris is such a fighter and for the first time has had to stop work this week but hopes to be back next week.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment