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Kelly Smith's Project “Get back to my Boys”

  • From Shona....

      28 July 2022

    Hi all, just an update on Kelly. After receiving the terrible news her Leukaemia was back and they couldn’t continue the transplant plan.

    Kelly, Warren and the boys spent the weekend in Rotorua having some much-needed family time. They came home for a night on Monday in that terrible weather.

    On Tuesday morning she hugged me and her boys then left for Auckland with Warren by her side to FIGHT!!!

    She went into hospital yesterday, and had her op to put her lines back in, to start Chemo today. The chemo regime is 3 different types of chemo over 5 days then she is required to stay in hospital until her white cells come back up, so about a month or so. Also, they are purchasing the $33,000 unfunded drug but it takes 4-5 weeks to get here, so Kelly will take that at the end of the chemo cycle if she still needs it or donate it to someone else if she can’t have it.

    Kelly and the family are so grateful to all of there amazing friends for the love and support they have received. She is receiving the messages of love and support on Facebook and via text even if she doesn’t reply, know she appreciates it.

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    • 01/08/2022 by Adrian

      Thank you for the update, Shona. It's Mindfulness Month with the Mental Health Foundation and I'm sure there will be many of us being mindful of Kelly this month. I'll be thinking about the tough journey she's on and the tough journey that her family is on too. But I'll also be thinking about all the great laughs that Kelly gives me every time I see her over this way. She brings a lot of joy and I can't wait to work with her again.

  • Not going to plan…..

      24 July 2022
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    Unfortunately things don't often go to plan and on Thursday last week Kelly encountered a massive hurdle that was not expected. Those dreaded words… the cancer has relapsed!!!!

    For Kelly this means the stem cell transplant cannot happen (unless in remission).

    The options - to keep fighting or to move to a more palliative approach. Kelly has chosen to remain positive and with the support of her medical team and family she will continue with the treatments on offer.

    As you can all imagine, Kelly is really struggling with all of this, she is fearful, angry and only just holding it together for her children. She remains stoic, holding her shit together for the sake of her boys. She is brave beyond compare. Kelly is living with cancer, taking each day as it comes, living as well as possible, coping, accepting, trying to remain positive, setting short-term achievable goals, and drawing on support from friends and family.

    What makes cancer suck even worse is the treatment for the disease. There are few illnesses in this world that require such invasive, painful, and miserable treatments. The plan ahead looks like a four week intensive of chemo, followed by a very expensive unfunded drug and then hopefully the stem cell transplant.

    Lorraine and Warren will be swapping roles - caring for Kelly and staying at Domain Lodge while the other is looking after the boys.

    Kelly, Warren and Lorraine are so grateful to all their friends, work mates and family. The messages and offerings have been very humbling and greatly appreciated.

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  • Round 3 done and dusted

      24 April 2022
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    Kelly has now completed round three of Chemo, this has been a test both physically and mentally.

    The dosage was 30 times stronger than previous rounds and has definitely taken a toll but was to be expected. Unfortunately, Covid struck the family at home, resulting in some lonely days in hospital, plagued with infections, fevers and hideous food. She has been very lucky to meet some amazing people in hospital, forming connections and lifelong friends - and trading food!

    After a week of blood transfusions, Kelly was allowed to move into Domain Lodge, supported by an amazing network of friends, providing companionship and fine food.

    Hopefully Kel will be able to join her family for the first time since February for the last week of the holidays. This is just what Kelly needs to rebuild her well being, gathering strength and courage in preparation for round 4, starting in May.

    Kelly was hoping to be back at work part time in Term 2, however, at this stage, it does not look possible.

    Thank you for your continued support, messages and meals to get her and her family through this unknown and stressful time.

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  • A Message from Kelly.....

      17 February 2022
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    Geez not much is happening…. Just waiting for these counts to come up so I can be ready for round 2. I am feeling ok, physically but things are moving slowly and that’s taking it’s toll emotionally. Loving the communication and little memes and jokes people send. Lucky to have so many people caring for my kids and helping Warren and my mum out. And I miss my babies like crazy!

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    • 17/02/2022 by Adrian

      Hey Kelly! Glad to hear that you're feeling OK physically. Now, emotionally, are you Red Zone, Blue Zone, Yellow Zone or Green Zone? I don't know how to post little pictures with the colours on here so you'll just have to use your imagination. Looking forward to seeing you again, Adrian Humm (Ruining Tangowahine's Lego Box)

  • First Round Chemo - Tick

      7 February 2022

    Kels feeling pretty good this week. She's completed the chemo, and a round of antibiotics, she's had a blood transfusion and plasma replaced. Talking with Kel this morning, she's sounding really positive and had had some good news this morning that her neutrophils are slowly coming up! The nurse told her that it was a sign of early recovery, as is not normally seen before day 21 and Kelly is on day 16 after chemo. Her hair is starting to thin, eye lashes are dropping, however, she is trying not to touch it at the moment, dragging out the process as much as possible before the inevitable happens.

    Kelly is making the most of the times when she feels good, heading to the gym and being quite mobile. Kel is really grateful for all the support, especially around getting her children sorted with school and play dates, etc. Please Keep Sharing!!

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  • Week 1 - Tick

      27 January 2022
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    Kelly has just completed day 7 of her first round of chemotherapy (10 days in a round). She's very sleepy, quite nauseous and not eating a lot. She's missing her boys heaps, but remaining positive. Both Kelly and Warren are greatly appreciative of the kind donations, it has eased a lot of pressure just knowing the support is there. Please keep sharing xx

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