Hello Everyone,
Darrell, Callum and I would like to say a vey big heartfelt thank you for all the support, kindness and generosity we have had since my cancer diagnosis in January. It has been very humbling to feel your wrap around support and all the aroha during this rollercoaster of a journey.
Currently we are waiting to hear from Wellington to confirm the dates of my next operation. This one is to remove the 10 centimetre cyst on one of my ovaries which was picked up in the CT scan, during the recovery of my double mastectomy. The same CT scan also picked up an oddness in my stomach lining. We wont know if the cyst is benign or if the stomach lining is something to be concerned about until after the operation. There are varied opinions on this. They will take a biopsy of the ‘oddness’ during the operation. If it is cancer, it will mean it’s secondary. This adds a complication to the current treatment plan so it’s important to see what is happening before starting chemo.
To keep the lobular cancer from regrowing, I have started on tamoxifen. I am feeling bursts of tiredness from it, headaches and a bit of brain fog, but nothing really compared to what I could be experiencing. And I’d rather take it, to prevent anything from developing. I will keep taking this till chemo starts.
My current treatment plan is:
Operation - 2nd of May in Wellington. Removal of cysts, ovary, tube and biopsy of stomach lining.
Chemo - in New Plymouth 2/3 weeks after the operation. Once every 3 weeks for 6 months.
Radio - In Palmerston North for 3 weeks, 5 days a week
Tamoxifen for 5 years.
This will depend on what the operation finds.Otherwise we re looking at a very different situation.
We will keep you updated, but just wanted to say a big thank you to you all. The Tū mannaki (kindness) we have been shown is just so touching. We can not thank you enough. Thank you for all the prayers, baking, donations thoughts and hugs. Everything has given us courage that we are not alone in this.
A special thank you today to my friend Mel who has set up a fundraiser to shave her hair, in support of when I start losing mine. I’m just lost for words Mel - your friendship is everything to me.
At the start of 2023 I picked a word for the year, Tū kaha. (Courage) When I picked it, which was more to do with the staff going surfing as a team building event, I did not realise that Tū kaha would be the word I would need for the entire year of 2023!
It seems to perfectly fit for this journey.
Thank you so much everyone.
We will update you!
You are all wonderful!
Julie, Darrell and Callum.
