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Our beautiful Mands stage four bowel cancer, needs treatment thats not funded

  • Eternally grateful 🙏

      9 April 2025
    Posted by: Amanda Johnston

    Hi all, I'm feeling fab!

    Fab however is compared to being in stinkin hospital, I've spent waaay too much time in for my liking.

    Also fab changes on a daily basis.

    I had my drain out yesterday, yay!

    I've had my 3rd round of Keytruda & 2nd of Ipilimumab, with no noticeable side effects. I'm always tired & can't do much for the next couple days, but still better than being in hosp!

    Energy levels are still ridiculous, it amazes me how weak I am. I'm getting a bit more stamina, but generally half an hr or so of being up and about pottering needs a sit down and recoup afterwards.

    Unfortunately I missed two rounds of treatment while in hospital and with the infection it put me back a bit in terms of finding out if the treatment is working or not. So I don't have another scan until mid May, then we will have a better idea of what's going on. Obviously everything will be working miracles though!

    In the meantime though I'm trying to be as positive and healthy as possible. I'm doing a bit of reading into metabolic therapy & epigenetics and have booked on a retreat in May with the Aratika Cancer trust who seem to be amazing and incorporate integrative holistic Cancer care alongside mainstream medicine.

    Thank you all so much for your support. With what was donated here and other donations we have enough to pay for 3 rounds of the unfunded treatment. We are so grateful, blown away & humbled by the generosity, the most unbelievable gift. We are eternally grateful!

    Much love xxx

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  • Another trip to hospital & a big thank you :)

      26 February 2025
    Posted by: Amanda Johnston

    Hello everyone,

    I was hoping to send you an update while I was having my treatment in Rotorua yesterday. Saying a massive heartfelt thank you for your generous donations that are allowing it to happen.

    Unfortunately, I'm back in Rotorua hospital with a couple of infections.

    I ended up in Taupo Hosp on Thursday last week, spent the weekend in & out of Taupo hospital and was transferred to Rotorua on Mon arvo.

    I'm back in the surgical ward causing trouble, my veins have all turned to custard already, so getting antibiotics 3 times a day hasn't been fun.

    The major downside of this, is that while I have an infection I can't have immunotherapy. Treatment has been postponed for two weeks while they treat the infection.

    There's a calmness that comes with being in hospital and knowing you are in the right place. I certainly wasn't expecting to be checking back in this soon though.

    I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shared, contributed and re-shared the give a little page.

    James, myself and our families are completely blown away by the generosity of you all, your friends and even random strangers.

    Along with other donations, I now have enough for my next 3 infusions!!! This is staggering and we're so grateful.

    I really don't know how to say thank you sufficiently.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you

    Amanda xxx

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  • Halfway there!

      24 February 2025

    I just wanted to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all who have donated, it has far exceeded our expectations - so a big THANK YOU to all ❤️❤️

    Please share the page in your social media again if you can - we are just about halfway and it would be great to get a bit more for Mands and her treatment

    Big love ❤️ xx

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  • Thank you 🙏

      10 February 2025
    Posted by: Amanda Johnston

    My friends & family & complete strangers

    I'm trying to express my heartfelt gratitude for the next level support and encouragement you have all shown me/us during this journey so far. Your kindness means more than I can express, and I am truly humbled.

    As I continue to try & get my head around this not so fun new challenge I am faced with, I am completely overwhelmed by the generosity of you all. Not to mention your friends & family.

    Please accept my sincerest appreciation for everything! I just don't know how to thank you all enough.

    Heartfelt gratitude xxxxx

    Amanda & James

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