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Help Holley Make Memories

  • Time to say Goodbye

      30 July 2021

    GIVE A LITTLE reminds me that in 6 short days... This page will close. As I look back through the video I first created when I set this page up, it is hard to believe that a year has flown by and so much has happened. I just wanted to thank you all for the way you rallied around Holley, Lee, Kyla. Jozef and the extended family... And helped them to create some fantastic memories. You kindness and generosity has never gone unnoticed nor unappreciated. As life continues in a state of grief.... Those close to Holley can take solace from the fact she is free from pain and while life is hard... So hard with out her.... That is something. In October Lee will take Kyla and Jozef to Scotland(and Holley will be hitching a ride in her very beautiful carriage) to meet the family and spend sometime healing further. I know we all wish them Safe travels and quality family time. And from me.... Thanks.... For the chance to help them.... And to those I got to know on this journey.. Keep safe and well yourselves.

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    • 31/07/2021 by Dolores

      Thank you Megan. You had done a great service to Holley in sharing her journey with us. I wish Lee, Kyla & Josef safe travels and I am sure they will have great memories to share with family there. I think of them often and Barbara too as she did an amazing job of being there for them all. May God bless you all. Dolores

  • Rest In Peace

      25 May 2021

    At 9.15 last night, our darling Holley grew her Angel Wings. To say we are devastated is an understatement, but everyone is taking comfort from the fact that she went peacefully and is no longer in pain. The family would like to thank you all for your support, your love and prayers throughout this sad journey.

    "Those we love don't go away.....they walk beside us every day."

    Sleep well darling girl.

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    • 25/05/2021 by Maree

      Such sad news, thinking of Holley and her family with love xx

  • Sad Times

      20 May 2021

    Today was meant to be the day....the day to tick off the last things on the 'Bucket List'....the day the lovey Holley and her gorgeous side kick and partner in crime Lee were due to fly to Queenstown.Unfortunately, Holleys health has declined to the point that she is no longer able to make the trip. To say she is gutted is an understatement. They are grateful for all the work the Race 4 Life people did, as well as all the other businesses that helped out- but in Holley's word.....IT IS WHA IT IS. Let us Keep Holley and her family in our thoughts and prayers as the deal with the days and weeks ahead.

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  • Holley's Birthday

      9 May 2021

    Last night a bunch of us were priveleged enough to spend the evening celebrating the lovely Holley's birthday. She knows that this will be her last birthday and her and Lee wanted to celebrate the 37 wonderful years she has had... In style.... And so we did. This only captures a little snapshot of the evening so I apologise to all those I didn't catch. Holley has been fortunate to be granted a wish thanks to the Race 4 Life Trust. A trip to the South Island is one of her final bucket list items to tick off and Carter's Tyres are helping make this wish come true. Sadly, Holley is entering the final stages of her earthly journey... And our hope is that this trip can go ahead and make yet another wonderful memory. As always, Holley is upbeat and giving what life she has left... Her all... We pray for strength and courage for our brave warrior.

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  • Life Just Gets Uglier

      3 March 2021

    Unfortunately sometimes in life, things are just not destined to get any easier, and Holley always knew that she was going to be 'one of those times'. Holley started the month off with the best intentions of returning to work part time, but sadly 1 day in, her dream of a bit of normality ended.Our lovely Holley has spent the last week and a half(and counting) in Waikato Hospital. She has had her bowel tumour removed as it was basically rotting, and causing even bigger issues as far as quality of life goes. Unfortunately this has not changed anything in terms of her prognosis or time line. She now faces the fact that she has only a few months left with us. This operation just means that she shouldn't have to spend all that time in hospital- but rather at home with her beautiful family. So with this news, Lee has decided to resign from his job to spend time with his gorgeous wife and to be her full time career. Holley has also had to face the fact that she cannot return to her work which she enjoyed so much. For everybody this is tragic news. Lee is such a devoted husband and father but feels strongly that his place is at home in these last few months. I was lucky enough to spend time with the family on Saturday- their positivity and ability to just get on with each new day, whatever curveball is thrown at them, is astounding....and just makes you want to cry. There are 2 beautiful wee children who just want their Mummy home...and would like her to be there forever. Lee's family is stuck on the other side of the world in the knowledge that there is about a 72 day wait for a spot in quarantine. Nothing seems fair at the moment. These next few months need to be magic for this lovely family. Lee not working will have an impact on the family but they know that nothing is more precious than time. Tonight, hug each person in your house a little harder. Life is indeed precious. I will update again when there is more to say.

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  • The Good, The Bad and the downright UGLY

      18 January 2021
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    For Holley and Lee the last few weeks have been about continuing to make lasting memories. Cooks Beach before Christmas, Christmas and New Year were all exciting times for them and their wee family as they set about making the most of their time together. A trip to Napier had them showing the sights to Jackie and Dean(Lee's parents) who had never been that way. Holley battled with travel sickness but being the trooper she is- she took it in her stride (or bucket!!!). Last Sunday was a chance for lots of us to gather together to celebrate Jozef's baptism, here in Te Aroha where Holley herself was baptised all those years ago.

    It was a fantastic day full of lots of laughs and good humour. However there is always reality, and frankly reality isn't always kind. For various reasons, over the Christmas/ New Year break, Holley missed 2 chemo sessions. During that time, her cancer like an ugly thief, seized the opportunity to pounce through the open window. We always knew that this was an aggressive cancer- and aggressive it was....it grew and grew. Holley's last scans sadly showed that in that time off, the tumours have grown 3-4 cm in size.....and sadly....spread to her lungs. So it is back to chemo starting tomorrow in the hope that it will be as successful as it was the first time. This is devastating for the family but as always Holley has continued to be upbeat and positive. She continues to have fantastic support from her family. This weekend, sadly we say farewell to Jackie and Dean (who are truly wonderful people) ,as they head back to Scotland. It will be hard for them and hard for Holley and Lee. We have all helped them make memories. I am constantly in awe of Holley. As I stood and watched her yesterday, I was reminded of how much we could all learn from her. She doesn't want to be sad even though she has been dealt a cruel hand.She wants to love life in the time she has. She will continue to fight with all she has. Holley we are all so proud of you. YOU are a LEGEND.

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  • Christmas with the Goddards!!

      21 December 2020
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    As we head with great speed towards Christmas, I thought I should do a wee update on how our gorgeous Holley is getting on. The family will be making wonderful memories this Christmas as Lee's parents have come out from Scotland. Having braved the quarantine procedure they are now having a lot of fun catching up and seeing some of our beautiful country.

    The chemo has continued to do its job and buy Holley some time, and they are all very grateful and making good use of the fact she is feeling ok. She has had a couple of setbacks along the way and a few nights in the hospital, but in true Holley style, she just picks herself back up and carries on.

    At the moment they are up in Cooks Beach and enjoying Whitianga and their family. I know they would want me to thank you all for your continued interest and support and to wish you all a safe, happy, and most of all, healthy Christmas. I also know that as a collective, we all wish Holley, Lee, Kyla, Jozef, Barbara,Dean and Jackie, a very very Merry Christmas with lots of fun times.... and days feeling on top of the world.

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    • 22/12/2020 by Bruce

      Had the opportunity to catch up with Holley at a WEL Networks gathering last Thursday and was absolutely rapt to see her arrive and looking so well.

      We had a big catch up and it was so good to see her pretty up-beat as that is the Holley I came to know when we worked at WEL together.

      That's one tough lady!

      Wishing everybody a happy and fun Christmas.

      Regards

      Bruce Gillespie

  • Update from Holley

      18 October 2020

    Hello everyone,

    I just wanted to give a quick update on me and my health. I have had a few rounds of chemo now and to start with they weren’t great and I was left feeling really sick 24/7. Lucky my oncologist is great and has been adjusting it as we have been going so the last two rounds have been much more manageable and have left me feeling much better and less spewy etc. Still have some side effects of the chemo but they are much better then they were. So for now I’m just taking it as it comes. I have a scan at the end of the month and I’m praying that the tumours have shrunk a bit and hoping the chemo is doing the job for now.

    Jozef is now 12 weeks old today and is growing fast and keeping us very busy lol.

    Anyway just a quick update to let everyone know where we are at.

    Thankyou again for all the love, support and prayers, they are all very appreciated.

    Xx

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  • Sept

      21 September 2020

    Hi Everyone.....Holley had another round of Chemo today.......her oncologist is amazing and doing a great job of tweaking things where they need to be tweaked to make things better for her. Holley continues to be so strong and brave- even though some days she doesn't feel it-we know she is!!At the last look the tumour was shrinking so we all have our fingers crossed that this is still happening.I know we are all thinking, hoping and praying that gorgeous girl gets her life back.

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  • Update

      25 August 2020

    Holley has had a tough time over the last 10 days with things not going to plan and an unexpected 'holiday' at 'Palace Waikato'- good job she says she likes the food!!!!! Baby Jozef made it home where Lee and Barbara have done an awesome job managing a new born baby and the sleepless nights that come with that. Kyla will be so happy that her Mum has made it home tonight, having aced her chemo session,and now they get to spend some quality time together....lets hope the next 10 days are more trouble-free than the last. You are doing a fantastic job Lee and Barbara and we all continue to be in awe of the strength and courage Holley(and all of you), shows every day.

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    • 30/08/2020 by Dolores

      Hi Holley & family . You are a fighter Holley so Kia kaha to all of you. Thinking of you and praying daily hat your wonderful strength continues. Lots of love. Dolores

  • A Wee Vidwo

      15 August 2020

    Holley has had a tough week bit we are thankful we have stayed at Level 2... Which will allow her the ability to come and go more feely. This weekend she plans to spend time... Making memories. She is racing her destiny but doing it with great courage and strength. Please share.

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  • Day 5

      10 August 2020

    Woohooo we have hit 12k!!! For those who are not on Holley's Facebook page- it has been a hard week for them as Holley has battled the side effects of the first week of chemo, and all the normal post baby stuff as well. Jozef is still in the NICU but making good progress. Holley is so brave and courageous. She has fantastic support systems- she deserves to make great memories. Keep sharing- we can do this!!

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  • Week 1

      7 August 2020

    Thank you so much to each and everyone of you who have contributed thus far. Holley and Lee are overwhelmed by the amazing response- and very touched. This has been another tough week for them. Please keep sharing this page.

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