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Kiri's Big Heart

  • June 2023 Update

      7 June 2023
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong

    Most of you would have seen my Facebook post, but some of you that donated, may not be on Facebook, so I thought I would update this page.

    7 months on from leaving Starship with Kiri, she is now completely normal as far as heart function goes. We caught up with some Starship doctors on Friday 2nd June and they are very happy with her. We are beyond grateful to everyone that has helped us thru this.

    Kiri still takes medication daily and will have yearly check-ups at Wellington Hospital, and in 3 years time will have a Starship visit, where they will discussed the plan to get rid of the extra cell in her heart.

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  • Coming Home

      3 November 2022
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong

    Final checkup went well and we will be coming home early next week😊

    We are staying at ronald mcdonald house till Sunday, so kiri can watch her cheerleading team perform at Nationals, then we will have a couple of extra days akld with Lexina Talbot, Theresa Harawira and Ella and Izzy

    Thank you everyone for supporting us thru the past 6 weeks, we are looking forward to catching up with you all soon.

    Leticia, Rik Armstrong Kiri, Ella and Izzy

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  • Kiri out of Starship Hospital

      30 October 2022
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong
    Main image

    Well this is the post we have been waiting to do for 5 weeks

    Kiri is out of the ward and staying at Ronald McDonald House for the week, we have a final check up at starship hospital end of the week, and all going well will be home after that, we can't wait to see everyone.

    Thank you all again for your support during these difficult 5 weeks our family has been thru we really do appreciate it.

    Leticia, Rik, Kiri, Ella, Izzy xoxo

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  • Kiri's Progress

      21 October 2022
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong

    Hi All

    Just a quick update as where we are at with Kiri's progress.

    Kiri is doing so well she was able to have a procedure today where they were going to try and fix the problem with her fast heart rate, but that didn't go as planned, so plan B has started, which is a new medication to see if they can keep her heart rate at a normal pace. This will be monitored over the weekend and hopefully early next week we may have a better idea of when we can all come home.

    Again we would again like to thank everyone for supporting us and messaging/calling us to check we are doing ok, we really do appreciate it.

    Leticia, Rick, Ella, Izzy and Kiri

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  • Update Wednesday 12th October

      12 October 2022
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong
    Main image

    Hi Everyone, Kiri is doing very well, she has been moved to the cardiac ward (which means she is out of PICU & HDU), she is awake more and enjoying Ella and Izzy being here, Kiri is even beating them at cards.

    We have been reading everyone's messages to Kiri, and she would also like to thank everyone.

    Kiri will be on the Cardiac ward for a while, as she needs to get her strength back as her heart heals (she is making very good progress so far)

    Again thank you everyone for supporting us, so we can focus on Kiri getting better and coming home.

    Love Leticia, Rik, Ella, Izzy, Kiri

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    • 18/10/2022 by Dawn

      So glad to hear Kiri is awake and has all her family with her. We are sending you our love and strength xo

  • Kiri 8 October 2022

      8 October 2022
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong
    Main image

    Hi everyone, Kiri is now off the Life support and ventilation machines, but the medial team here are still monitoring everything very closely and we hope to have her out of PICU and into the Cardiac ward sometime next week all going well.

    Kiri is still sedated, but has been waking up, smiling and trying to talk. She is

    aware of her surroundings and is always very pleased to see us. We have told her about all your support and once again we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

    Rik, Leticia, Kiri, Ella, Izzy

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    • 08/10/2022 by Jocasta

      Best news ever!!!

  • Thank you

      3 October 2022
    Posted by: Leticia & Rik Armstrong

    We have been blown away by everyone's generosity towards Kiri, We are truly humbled. Thank you so much everybody.

    Just a brief update as I am sure you will all want to know what is happening.

    Kiri is on an Ecmo machine and has been for 7 days now, this is basically a heart and lung bypass machine supporting her body so that her heart can rest and heal.

    Basically her problem is called arrhythmia which is an abnormal heart rhythm , the team here are being optimistic and there are still plenty of things that could help, but Kiri is still a very sick wee girl.

    Once again thanks for your support.

    Love Leticia, Rick, Ella, Izzy and Kiri

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