Back to page

Help My Dad’s Dream Adventure: A Journey to the Masai Mara

  • Merry Christmas

      28 December 2024
    Posted by: Dean Pattison
    Main image

    I spent Christmas with my youngest daughter. It was an emotional rollercoaster. Being with someone you love while knowing it's the last time you'll ever do this. This year went by too fast.

    Thankyou to all those who have supported me. Everything raised here has been split between spending a special day together with each of my daughters - starting with doing the Rotorua night time treewalk with my younger twin - and saving for a bucket list grand finale in the South Island with my siblings.

    It's going to be an emotional few months. If you have a loved one in my position give them an extra hug. It's a hard journey and they need it.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Moving the goalposts closer

      28 November 2024
    Posted by: Dean Pattison
    Main image

    Time to focus on what can actually be done and say farewell to the big plans.

    Between now and March I have three daughters and a grandson with birthdays, Christmas and then plans to spend time in March with my brother and sister in the South Island making up for thirty years of separation.

    These are now my priorities. Time with family. Leaving good memories.

    So anything raised now will be going towards that. Going out on a high note.

    Thankyou to everyone that has helped.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Time had been shortened

      8 November 2024
    Posted by: Dean Pattison
    Main image

    My last scan showed that the cancer has become very aggressive and has spread to liver, throat, neck, small of back, and in particular throughout the lungs.

    Chemo will hopefully work and add a little time but I've accepted I have 3-6 months of usable life and then "managed living" until the end.

    If I am unable to travel overseas anything raised here will go to spending time with family making memories. Thankyou.

    PS trying to sleep with the chemo bottle attached is a pain 😁

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Hospice and palliative care

      26 September 2024
    Posted by: Dean Pattison
    Main image

    First meeting with a social worker from Hospice today and having to confront the p word. Palliative care. So many forms to fill out with varying people. In a way I'm lucky that I get to tidy up loose ends and say goodbyes.

    Hug the ones you love today, don't leave it for tomorrow. Tomorrow might not come.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Bush Walk

      19 September 2024
    Posted by: Dean Pattison
    Main image

    Went out for a bush walk with my daughter. Did the 5.5km Wairongomai Valley lower loop.

    Was good to know I can still do that as we want to do the Tongariro crossing next month and that's going to be a real challenge.

    But it's now or never.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment