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Help Samie Kick Cancers butt

  • We won!

      14 April 2025
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    What a journey it’s been.

    Over the last 183 days, I’ve truly been to hell and back. If something could go wrong, it probably did — at almost every stage. But through it all, the support I’ve received has been absolutely overwhelming.

    I’m so incredibly thankful to my family — I honestly can’t thank them enough, and I don’t think words could ever truly capture just how much they mean to me.

    This whole experience has taught me so much about gratitude. At the end of the day, I’m just so thankful to still be here, cracking jokes and being my usual, slightly unhinged self.

    Here’s to the next chapter. Whatever it holds, I know the universe is doing exactly what I need her to do.

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  • Mission completed 💪🏻

      11 April 2025
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    Absolutely — here’s your updated version with your additions woven in naturally:

    ---

    What a journey it’s been.

    Over the last 183 days, I’ve truly been to hell and back. If something could go wrong, it probably did — at almost every stage. But through it all, the support I’ve received has been absolutely overwhelming.

    I’m so incredibly thankful to my family — I honestly can’t thank them enough, and I don’t think words could ever truly capture just how much they mean to me.

    This whole experience has taught me so much about gratitude. At the end of the day, I’m just so thankful to still be here, cracking jokes and being my usual, slightly unhinged self.

    Here’s to the next chapter. Whatever it holds, I know the universe is doing exactly what I need her to do.

    X

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  • 11/12 ✅ last super rough chemo!

      29 March 2025
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    Ward 64, you have the most heartwarming nurses, doctors, healthcare assistants, and orderlies ♥️ It's the way they just know exactly what to say and when to say it. Sitting with me at 3am mid-panic attack, talking to me like family telling me take my bloody morphine because they knew I was pretending to be strong all while reminding me don’t have to be strong anymore the moment I walk through these doors.

    The aroha wrapped around this ward is actually insane. Connecting with other very sick patients, crying with them, getting a hug from a stranger, and of course, making friends for life. I swear it’s something about our shiny heads, the sick humour, morbid jokes, a good old trauma dump or just being forced to sit together in a room during chemo that makes this weird bond we have stronger. It’s a club no one wants to be part of, but it’s one of a kind.

    Here’s to being horizontal for the next couple of days 🍸♥️

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  • Finally some good news!✨

      17 March 2025
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    Finally some good news!

    At my checkup last Thursday, we got the amazing news that my levels are now at 2—and for my type of cancer, anything under 5 is technically cancer-free! I'm feeling a mix of emotions right now. I still have about four or five weeks of treatment left, just to be absolutely sure we’ve kicked this thing to the curb, but this is such a huge step forward!

    To celebrate, after chemo on Friday, we decided to take a spontaneous road trip to Wellington for Homegrown—and it was incredible! For the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel like a cancer patient.

    Sure, the drive was tough, and walking between stages to see all the acts we wanted was exhausting, but it was so worth it. Definitely a bucket-list weekend I’ll never forget!

    I also just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported me through this journey. As rough as it has been, your kindness, love, and encouragement have made it so much more bearable. We are so, so close to the finish line now, and I truly can’t thank you all enough!

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  • What a sh*t show..

      6 March 2025
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    The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind, so here’s a little update!

    About 10 days ago, we had to rush up to Auckland Hospital as I wasn’t feeling great, and my port wasn’t looking too flash. After some assessments, the doctors made the call to remove it within a few hours of arriving.

    During surgery, the surgeons said it was the worst port infection they had ever seen (because of course, I had to do it in true Samie fashion). Once the blood results came back, we found out things were even more serious—I was in sepsis. So, I’ve been on some pretty intense antibiotics, along with a heap of scans and repeat blood tests.

    On top of all that, they also found a couple of small blood clots, but thankfully, after about six weeks on blood thinners, they should clear up.

    The good news? I’m feeling so much better, and the chemo is still doing its thing—my levels are continuing to drop!

    Thank you all so much for your ongoing support—it truly means the world. Fingers crossed my next update is a little less dramatic!

    Much love,

    Samie x

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    • 10/03/2025 by Louise

      What a tough time for you Samie, thinking of you and your family as you fight this xx

  • Bump in the road

      26 February 2025
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    Just when we thought things were going smoothly, my port got badly infected, and I had to go in for surgery yesterday to have it removed. It took a turn for the worst on Monday night, but on the bright side, my levels are still dropping, which is a huge win!

    Right now, we’re working with a bunch of teams at Auckland Hospital to figure out the best course of treatment over the next few weeks. Taking it one step at a time!

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  • Short update this week ♥️

      23 February 2025
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    Short and sweet update this week! Chemo on Friday went well, and my levels have dropped heaps—such awesome news! Definitely spent more time horizontal than vertical this weekend, but that just means the chemo is doing exactly what it’s meant to do. ❤️

    Thank you for all the support x

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  • Chaos with a side of good news

      15 February 2025
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    the last couple of weeks have been a bit chaotic to say the least... A little bit after my last chemo I ended up in hospital because I managed to graze my knee and get an ingrown hair at the same time that turned out needed a whole peep of IV antibiotics 🙄 Apparently, when your immune system’s on a break, even the little stuff goes big. Mum told me to go get it checked earlier but did I listen? Absolutely not. (Why are mums always right?! 😩)

    Then at my oncology follow-up, I mentioned the heart zaps I’ve been feeling, so they hooked me up for a 24-hour heart monitor, and they found out I’ve got atrial tachycardia, which my heart decides to run a marathon for no reason. 🏃‍♀️💨 Luckily, this isn't a super serious heart condition, that can be sorted out pretty quickly with medication, so nothing to stress about!

    But, on the bright side, chemo is still doing its thing! Tumors are either stable or shrinking,(hell yea) I know that by reading this it sounds like there has been nothing but misery, but it’s not all bad—I’m still managing to go out for iced coffee dates and get out of the house to hang out with friends and family.

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  • Keeping things interesting

      27 January 2025
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    Hey lovely people, just popping in with a little update! I had a bit of a reaction to last week’s chemo – nothing major, just a small bump in the road. The great news? My levels are still dropping, so we’re on the right track!

    Thank you so much for all the love and support x

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  • My tumor levels are dropping! 🌬️

      16 January 2025
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    Just got my blood results back after completing the first full cycle of my new chemo, and I’m thrilled to share that my levels have dropped by an incredible 75%! The doctors are over the moon with the progress, but there’s still a long road ahead. Every little bit of support means the world as I keep fighting this thing! Definitely had a wee mocktail to celebrate 🎉

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  • First new cycle done!

      11 January 2025
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    And just like that, my first full cycle of my new chemo is done!

    I’m feeling pretty good today—maybe it’s all the hydration or the steroids giving me this burst of energy? Time will tell as the day goes on.

    Thankfully, my veins decided to behave this round, probably because yesterday’s chemo wasn’t as harsh on them. Such a relief! Plus, I’ve got my port-a-cath appointment coming up in the next few weeks, so no more being poked like a pin cushion at every appointment.

    Thank you all so much for the incredible support—it truly doesn’t go unnoticed.

    Love, Samie ♥️

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  • Big girl chemo day 1!

      28 December 2024
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    Yesterday marked a big milestone for me and the fam—my first round of PACLitaxel and CISplatin! (I like to call It big girl chemo) It was a rollercoaster 24 hours, starting with treatment and ending with an overnight stay filled with fluids, steroids, and all the essentials to keep me going.

    And let me tell you, I’m feeling it today! What was supposed to be a 9-hour treatment turned into a marathon 15-hour session, thanks to my stubborn veins. Four IV replacements later (yep, four), I still managed to rip the last two out in my sleep—classic me!

    The good news? The docs are happy with how things are going, and I got the green light to head home this morning. It’s been a wild ride, but I’m so grateful for the amazing care and support. Here's to taking it one day at a time!

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  • Chemo switch!

      21 December 2024
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    Had the specialist yesterday and there switching my chemo to something called TP/TE which is essentially a few different chemos to get rid of this thing!

    They've said I'll loose my hair, quicky after my first infusion so I've shaved my head just to say stuff it

    -samie 💓

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  • Treatment curve ball

      18 December 2024
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    Hey guys not that update I wanted to make although we've got another specialist appointment on Friday to potentially go on a different chemo regime is my tumour markers aren't doing what they're supposed to be doing..

    Regardless of that though we're keeping our heads in a positive headspace and hoping for best

    -samie 💓

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  • 1st chemo done!

      18 November 2024
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    First session done ✅

    Thank you all again for all of the support ♥️💜

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