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Our Skylah needs your help

  • Skylahs journey in America

      10 October 2023
    Posted by: Jacob Martin
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    Hi all,

    just an update

    Over the last few months, the oncology and radiation teams in Christchurch and Wellington have been considering options for Skylah and her next phase of treatment.

    The original plan was for Skylah to undergo radiotherapy, but due to adverse effects to her heart, caused by chemotherapy, Skylahs doctors have decided against the standard radiotherapy treatment.

    With that being said, Skylah has been considered for, and accepted to, recieve Proton Therapy treatment.

    Proton therapy works similar to radiotherapy, but targets specific affected areas, rather than a general affected area. With Proton Therapy, we will be avoiding damaging Skylahs heart and lung better than if we were to recieve radiotherapy.

    Proton therapy, currently, is not administered in New Zealand. In which case, Skylah, Ezra, Mum and Dad are flying to Jacksonville, Florida in mid November to commence Skylahs Proton Therapy treatment.

    Im hoping to reopen this page, for continued support whilst we are in America till late January 2024

    This has been quite a process, but Skylah is doing well. Chemotherapy is nearly finished. Another few steps and we should be through this, stronger than ever.

    Thank you for all the love and support thus far, we really appreciate it

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  • We did it!

      15 April 2023
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    As promised, Grandad, Nanny Wendy (me) and uncle Dan, shaved our heads today after raising such an amazing amount for our Skylah, dad, mum and baby brother while Skylah gets the treatment she needs.

    Thank you for your amazing support!

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  • Skylah and family need our support

      14 April 2023
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    As you know, Skylah was flown to Christchurch Hospital via life flight last week, after doctors in Wellington found a mass surrounding her spine

    Test were done here in Christchurch, and the mass was confirmed to be a type of cancer.

    Over the course of the week, Skylah started chemotherapy treatment due to the mass putting pressure on her spinal chord and heavily reducing her mobility. The initial chemo has been given to relieve said pressure, until such time as the cancer tumor had been given a name.

    Which brings me to the last part.

    Yesterday, Skylah has been officially diagnosed with Ewings Sarcoma, which is a cancer that starts in the bones and is typically found in children and young adults.

    A treatment plan is now in place, and everything is now on track to tackling this thing head on.

    The process is going to be a long one, at least 9 months at this point, so until further notice Skylah, Mum, Dad and baby brother will be based in Christchurch, while Skylah gets the best treatment.

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