17 Year old with aggressive bowel cancer. Help Mitch and Family.
Mitch was told he is "one in a million". He has aggressive bowel cancer which is unheard of for someone his age, 17 years old.
Southland
Mitch is an extremely talented young man. Anything he attempts he excels at. An elite sportsman with a promising future in rugby, he is also a high achiever in his school work. Mitch is known as caring, humble, intelligent, active, considerate, talented rugby player, and family orientated.
This year in early September, during Year 12 at school, Mitch ended up in hospital with severe abdominal pain. After nearly 2 weeks, he was discharged with suspected Chron's disease. Four hours home and back to hospital, again with severe abdominal pain. A large tumour was discovered attached to his bowel, and straight into surgery. The surgery was painful and very traumatic for Mitch. A week later we were told he had aggressive colon cancer which travelled to lymph nodes, which is apparently unheard of for someone his age, hence "one in a million". What! Why? How? No!! (Mum's reaction), Mitch shed one tear and took it in his stride.
Home for 2 days, back to hospital with an infection and surgery again! Another painful and traumatic recovery. Onto 12 cycles of intensive chemotherapy of 3 days a fortnight, this includes a chemo infuser at home for 2 days.
Chemo is very hard on Mitch; he gets more unwell after each cycle, and now only has a few days where he feels well enough to at least get out of the house. Chemo hopefully finishes at the end of March 2016.
An extremely active young man, now spends most of his time inside, a dramatic change in his life. Through all of this, Mitch still smiles and laughs; his strength, bravery, and quiet suffering astounds those who know and love him. His mum is a single parent who has five children, Mitch is the oldest. Mum has had to give up her career, to care and support Mitch. Naturally this is a financial strain, but the family are positive and optimistic. His mum and siblings are all here to support Mitch, as he has us.
Ana Pereira's involvement (page creator)
I am Mitchell's mum. My children are my first priority. Mitch is the oldest at 17, Anthony 15, Mya 12 and twins, Nthswana and Neo 4 years old. It is difficult to express the never ending heartache to watch your son in constant pain. I admire my son, who suffers in silence and still smiles and laughs through his suffering. He is positive and optimistic. His lifestyle has also dramatically changed, he now spends most of his time inside, as opposed to outside playing sport.
I just want him to be well again and to continue his bright future he deserves. The aim of this page is to help a bit with everyday living, hopefully a weekend away where we can all just relax and have fun as a family (the stress affects everyone and is constant), and the majority saved for Mitch as a safe guard, if he fights this, he was told he will most likely get cancer again.
I am an independent and proud women, who has always worked hard to provide for my children. I have had to give up my career of 17 years, but am lucky to have a part time job that allows flexibility around Mitch and treatments. I have learnt to accept help (maybe not graciously, but trying). I have very supportive, generous and loving elderly parents who are always there, (they live next door). Their support keeps us all going. My loving sister Desiree and her fiance Paul, Mitch's second family. I have amazing friends. Thanks to my annonymous friend who has been paying my mortgage during Mitch's treatment, we couldn't survive financially without this extremely generous support. You rarely hear of stories close to heart of such generosity. Words can't express how much I appreciate this. My friend Alison has cooked many delicious and healthy meals for a large family, and still regularly drops off meals for all family including my parents, without fail. Our friend Jo (food fairy) delievers a healthy meal for 8 every fortnight the morning Mitch has treatment. Maania and Phil who have generously filled my freezer with meat and given me wood for warmth and much more. And many more friends who visit Mitch with never ending treats. Thank you to Clara, for thinking of how she could support us and started this page!!! Thank you to all my friends and family who continue to support us.
A big thank you to Mitch's siblings Anthony and Mya, for helping care for Mitch and Mum when she is trying her hardest not to cry everyday, and for gettting housework done. The twins for giving us constant joy and laughter. And to Mitch my first born loved and adored by all who know him. You will get back to school and on the rugby field! xx
Latest update
Fun holiday time with kids. 3 February 2016
What a privilege to be able to take all the kids including my nephew and Mitch's girlfriend on a holiday for the week. So, 7 kids in total!! Thank you to all Give a Little Donators for making this possible, thank you to the Child Cancer Foundation for amazing accommodation and support, and Real Journeys for shouting the kids to a trip on the Earnslaw and farm visit at Walters Peak.
It was great for Mitch to have fun and forget for a week about 'C'. It was great to watch him do many activities, Earnslaw (jumping of wharf into lake), Luge, Mini golf, Fear Factory Haunted House (Mitch screamed the loudest), and many other activities. It was great to have a holiday with the whole family. I feel like it gave Mitch a new lease on life and he has been much more active since the holiday.
Thank you for giving Mitch and the kids a well-deserved and needed holiday. Phew feel like I need a holiday now!
The donations have also been a blessing to get bills paid and school uniforms and stationary. And the rest put into a savings account for Mitch, as I know he will need it in the future.
Mitch is still undergoing chemo, but the next update will be letting you know Mitch has fought this and won, is back at Kings High and on the rugby field. All he wants is his old life back!
Best wishes and health.
Ana, Mitch, Anthony, Mya, Nthswana and Neo xx
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