Jays Cancer Journey

Tokoroa born and bred Father of 5, grandfather to 1, brother, uncle, son, friend and confidante to 1000s, always had a plan and a hunger to live lifes experiences and enjoy everything the world and it’s people had to offer. Creating happiness and support to everyone, wanting and preferring nothing in return…….. until.

Jays Life Journey took a swift and devastating detour 28 August 2020. After months of feeling unwell, multiple Drs visits and tests to determine why someone fit and healthy was experiencing so much pain.

The 3x3 letter words that rang clear when the Dr delivered the terrible news, a large Nodal Mass pressing against the Spine AND Stomach, AND another mass in your Chest AND another mass in your Neck, followed by a 4th AND a few days later when they found the site of Origin in his Oesophagus during routine biopsy.

With Valour, Urgency and Courage the battle began - 16 weeks of chemo which initially helped with positive results and as quickly as the celebrations happened, the news of further growth!! A minor set back, so a harsher chemo drug was the new option. Terrible side effects, Fatigue, Nausea and Extreme Joint Pain became the next 14 week battle until this relentless disease again evaded successful treatment.

Our last hope -“Unfunded” but Expensive Immunotherapy drug “Pembrolizumab" that can thankfully be done in Hamilton, NZ where we now live.

The target is significant $50-75k and we appreciate anything you can do to help. When the treatment amounts to 75k the NZ funding kicks back in again for the life of the illness and with this a degree of relief.

To those who have supported, visited and offered so much already we truely appreciate everything you have done so far, thank you.

To the many who are time bound with busy lives and family commitments or live further away we understand 100% and perhaps this give a little page will work for you.

Please reach out on this page if you would like to know or understand something more or alternatively battling your own journey and wish to share any advice.

Remember - Live, Laugh and Love those closest to you as tomorrow is never a guarantee.

Many Thanks

The Togia Whanau