Jacob (Jaap) Pieter West
Despite stage 2 cancer Jaap finished his Otago music degree. Dunedin & Wellington chemo, Auckland operation next – help his Mum Sunniva now
Wellington
Jacob (Jaap) Pieter West turned 22 in August last year. He was diagnosed with stage 2 cancer, underwent surgery and 3 rounds of BAP chemo in Dunedin, with his partner Brittany and Mum Sunniva at his side. Sadly, the treatment wasn't sufficient. Jaap transferred to Wellington hospital last December and was given 2 more rounds of high dosage TIP chemo. This year Jaap is having yet more chemo in Wellington hospital. He’s currently having his 3rd round of mega-high chemo followed by the 3rd set of stem cell transplants.
The latest news that Jaap now needs an operation at Auckland hospital which will be scheduled sometime in July, preceded by a specialist appointment in Auckland in a week or so. Jaap’s consultant is positive, but this has been a marathon for Jaap and those who love him, with progressively more debilitating chemo and endless hospital procedures and appointments. While Auckland hospital offers more expertise with these operations – Jaap needs family with him.
Sunniva is trying to manage on her Saturday music coordinator job and finding all the extra expenses tough financially. Because of Jaap's age, a lot of the funding and support that might have been available to caretakers for 'young' people is unfortunately not available.
Sunniva and Jaap are grateful for their friends who want to help. We can't take the chemo for Jaap - nor easily swap places with Sunniva at his bed-side. But we can show we care by giving what we can through this Give-A-Little page.
Richard Norris' involvement (page creator)
I am involved because Sunniva is part of the Dutch community here in Wellington and has known my wife Jolanda for many years.
Latest update
Jaap now needs an operation in Auckland 29 May 2016
Jaap and Sunniva need our support right now - with the latest news that Jaap (Jacob Pieter West) now needs an operation in Auckland.
Although this means that Jaap will get the best possible specialist care in Auckland where there is more experience with these operations, family support becomes more complicated - and more expensive.
Jaap will have a specialist appointment in Auckland in a week or so, then face this operation in 4-6 weeks. He'll have 12 days of Auckland hospital recovery post-op before returning to Wellington. This is not a time for Jaap to be alone.
This has been a marathon for Jaap, his partner Brittany, mum Sunniva and the rest of his family and friends - round after round of progressively more dehabilitating chemo in Dunedin, now on a third round of serious chemo in Wellington and endless hospital procedures and appointments. The Auckland operation is a new complication - made even more complicated by being far from home in Wellington.
We can't take the chemo for Jaap - nor easily swap places with Sunniva at his bed-side. But we can show we care and we're with Jaap and Sunniva in spirit on this long challenging journey, by giving what we can through Give-A-Little right now. Aroha xxx
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