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Please help Deb and her boys enjoy precious time together

  • We sadly announce the passing of our beloved Debbie.

      21 June 2021

    It is with completely broken hearts we announce the passing of our beloved Debbie, who passed away peacefully at Hospice Waikato on Sunday 20 June. Debbie was admitted to Hospice Waikato on 25 May and was sadly unable to return home. She fought a good fight and we are comforted knowing that she is now at peace.

    We will be celebrating Debbie's life this Friday 25 June at 10.00am at Founders Chapel, Taupo Funeral Services, 117 Rickit Street, Taupo. All are very warmly invited to attend.

    We want to make special mention of Waikato Hospice and the incredible staff and this beautiful facility. We were so beautifully well looked after as a family while Debbie was there. The care that Debbie received was exceptional. They treated Debbie with the utmost respect and dignity at all times. These people are angels on earth. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Debbie's name.

    https://www.hospicewaikato.org.nz/

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  • A weekend away for a wedding...

      18 May 2021
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    Debbie was recently able to travel to Tauranga for a good friend's son's wedding! She had an incredible time and we were all absolutely thrilled that she was able to attend. We can highly recommend a gorgeous airbnb if anyone is looking for a cute little place in Welcome Bay.

    <div class="airbnb-embed-frame" data-id="10299246" data-view="home" style="width:450px;height:300px;margin:auto"><a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/10299246?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;s=66&amp;unique_share_id=aa07cbcf-b125-4cb8-b386-870d297dd564&amp;source=embed_widget">View On Airbnb</a><a href="https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/10299246?guests=1&amp;adults=1&amp;s=66&amp;unique_share_id=aa07cbcf-b125-4cb8-b386-870d297dd564&amp;source=embed_widget" rel="nofollow">Absolute Waterfront - Beach Retreat Escape</a><script async="" src="https://www.airbnb.ca/embeddable/airbnb_jssdk"></script></div>

    We've included a photo taken from living room of the accommodation.

    We thank everyone for their continued interest and support.

    We know that the treatment that Debbie has been able to have due to our fundraising has had an impact on her being able to enjoy special events such as this.

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  • Update...

      13 February 2021

    This will be our last update on this Givealittle page as we will be closing it shortly. Firstly, we want to thank everyone again so much for the incredible generosity and outpouring of love and support to Debbie and us all. Deb received 6 rounds of Keytruda and we have no doubt that it enabled her to turn the corner when she was very sick following her diagnosis and provided her with some quality weeks. Due to some complications, Keytruda has been discontinued for now and she will be starting a different form of chemo along with radiation therapy next week. She is so grateful for your part in the treatment journey so far, as are we. Thank you.

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  • Treatment, closing date, and target update...

      17 January 2021
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    Deb is now able to have her chemo (every three weeks) in Taupo, which means that when she does go to Rotorua for her Keytruda (also every three weeks), it's a much quicker and less busy day. This photo is from the last Keytruda appointment from the beginning of January. Mum is now a dab hand at the art of selfie.

    We are now only three treatments away from reaching our ten treatment goal. After this, Keytruda will be available at no charge.

    We have also learnt from Deb's private health fund that although they do not cover the Keytruda (which we knew), they do cover the charge for the Keytruda to be administered (which we did not know!), which means that both the money that has been raised through Givealittle and the money that has been covered by the family directly has gone significantly further than we first thought it would. So therefore, we have been able to reduce our goal amount. I hope that makes sense.

    We are so incredibly grateful for everyone's interest and amazing the donations. I remember pushing the 'go' button on this page when I was in Mandatory Hotel Isolation in Auckland (back in September), and wondering what was going to happen - we have been completely blown away by the support we have received.

    Deb is doing really well - her improvement from when I was asked to come to New Zealand to now has been amazing - she does occasionally have a little hiccup (sometimes there can be an allergic reaction to treatment and hospital ED visits do still sometimes happen, but fortunately we've been able to stay local in Taupo - no more ambulance trips to Rotorua!)

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  • A good news update after today's Keytruda, CT Scan and Oncology appointments (by Deb's sister-in-law Aimee)....

      18 December 2020
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    A really positive day today in Rotorua! Deb and I headed over for Keytruda, a CT scan, and Oncologist appointment. There has been a really good response to Keytruda with some great changes evident on the CT scan; this is reflected in Debbie’s symptoms which have been markedly better overall in recent weeks (aside from infections and reactions to chemo etc!). The Oncologist was really encouraged about her response and is keen to push on with 3 weekly cycles of Keytruda. Alongside this, she will continue with ‘maintenance chemo’ every 3 weeks.

    Today was cycle 5 of Keytruda and the Givealittle funds are now being used. Thank you so much to all who have contributed - we are ecstatic that Debbie has been able to access this treatment due to the generosity of so many people. It is working and is so heartening to see such an improvement in Deb’s quality of life! We can’t express our gratitude enough.

    Our aim is to get to 10 cycles of treatment, at which stage the drug company who makes Keytruda, will provide the drug for free. We are confident that one way or another we can raise the funds to get to that point. Please feel free to share the page.

    Merry Christmas everyone! I know that as a family, we will enjoy a happy Christmas in the knowledge that Deb is able to enjoy the Christmas and holiday period without debilitating symptoms.

    Aimee

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  • It's not all hospital visits!

      14 December 2020
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    The amazing company that Deb works for wanted to treat Deb, her boys, and Mum and Dad to something really special - so today off they went on a 90 minute helicopter tour around Taupo and the surrounding areas! The flight included a trip over the mountains at the other end of the lake (https://www.newzealand.com/au/ruapehu), flying over the craters and many lakes in the area. They also stopped off on the Kaimanawa Rangers for a photo op (https://www.lovetaupo.com/en/discover/highlights/kaimanawa-forest-park)... A big thank you to Deb's workplace for the huge support they have been over the last few months - they've been fabulous!

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  • Take 2 for the Rotorua Road Trip!

      30 November 2020
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    An uneventful day for everyone in Rotorua today - but it's such a nice photo of Dad and Deb that I just wanted to share! This visit was for the Keytruda that Deb couldn't have on Friday (see previous update for details).

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  • Just when you think it's going to be a normal day!

      29 November 2020

    Well the day started off as any other usual trip to Rotorua for chemo and Keytruda.... same old, same old.

    This was to be the final in a course of 6 of the very strong chemo treatment, then moving on to a more moderate chemo after this one........ About half an hour in, Deb's body decided 'yeah-no' and she had a rather dramatic reaction. She was told "things are about to move very fast, and it's going to be a bit scary, but don't worry, we know exactly what to do, this isn't that unusual' and she was rushed down to the ED where she had a shot of adrenaline and remained for observation for the rest of the day, not returning to Taupo until about 7pm that night. We can only imagine the poor patients that were there for their first chemo treatment having to witness this happening - all a bit scary for everyone, but Deb said she was whisked out of the ward VERY quickly.....

    Anyway, she woke up Saturday feeling great, and she'll go back to Rotorua for her Keytruda on Monday.

    Going forward, since she is now on a different chemo, she will be able to have this done in Taupo at the local hospital. She'll still need to go to Rotorua for her Keytruda, but this is a nice, short treatment, and just on the outskirts of Rotorua, closer to Taupo, so not such a big, long day when she goes over.

    No photos from this weeks 'road trip' as it all turned out very differently than expected!!!!!!!

    Once again, thank you all so much for your continued support. I've been told people enjoy the updates (Ok, so mum mentioned one person that said they liked the updates, but I'm running with that), so they'll keep coming for as long as this page is open.

    Next big appointment in Rotorua, Deb will have our sister-in-law, Nurse Aimee accompany, so we can expect an update using the proper medical words.

    Sharlene xxx (Deb's sister)

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  • Where did the last three weeks go???

      7 November 2020
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    Three weeks ago it was Sharlene and Aimee accompanying Deb to Rotorua for her chemo at Rotorua Hospital and her Keytruda at Southern Cross. In the last three weeks, Sharlene has returned to Australia, an attempt was made to unblock Deb's drain, they removed Deb's drain, Deb became unwell, spent a night in Taupo Hospital, was transported across to Rotorua Hospital by ambulance - where she remained until only a few days ago, returning to Taupo on Tuesday this past week. Then on Friday (yesterday) it was back to Rotorua for her usual chemo and Keytruda. Deb's mum Anne got the call up for the road trip this time and kept Sharlene in Australia amused all day long with random videos - we still don't know if Anne was meaning to take the videos, or were they supposed to be photos that just went very wrong???? We'll never know. It's been fun and games since Anne got her new phone. Once again, we thank everyone for their incredible support - we now have enough money for almost three treatments. At $10,000 every three weeks, having this extra help means so much to Deb, her family, and friends. We are incredibly lucky to have so much support around us, every day.

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  • Update

      25 October 2020

    Deb had the chest drain removed on Friday 23rd which proved a little trickier than hoped, but she was relieved to have it removed after a difficult couple of days prior.

    Unfortunately things did not go well on her return from Rotorua Hospital on Wednesday 21st and she ended up back in hospital that night with severe chest pain, difficulty breathing and high temperatures.

    She remains in Rotorua Hospital while they monitor her, figure out the source of infection, and administer antibiotics.

    We are hoping she is feeling better again soon and can get home by mid week.

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  • Update from today's appointment...

      21 October 2020
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    A few weeks ago, when Deb was getting a lot of fluid in the lining of her lungs, it was decided that instead of having to travel to Rotorua every time she needed to drain the fluid, they would put in a drain so that the local District Nurses could perform the procedure in Taupo.

    After last Friday's appointment, it was thought that either there was no longer much fluid building up and needing to be drained, or that there was a blockage which was causing the drain not to do its job.

    Today they established that there was indeed a blockage, but also that there was very little fluid build up (this second part being great news!) After attempting unsuccessfully to clear the blockage today, it has been decided that the best thing to do is to take the drain out this coming Friday.

    The drain served its purpose over the last few weeks, but given the option, it is always better to have these things taken out if possible to avoid possible infection. Another medical procedure for Deb to go through, but she'll be more comfortable once it's out and she's healed.

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  • Big day today...

      16 October 2020
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    Leaving Taupo at 7.00am this morning, Deb, Aimee, and I headed to Rotorua for a big day of appointments. At Rotorua Hospital we had a CT scan, followed by Chemo, followed by an appointment with Deb's oncologist. After this, we headed to the private Southern Cross hospital where Deb had her second lot of Keytruda and then we were back in Taupo by about 5.30pm. Deb seems to be responding well to her treatment - the Oncologist is keen to keep going with her current, fairly aggressive treatments to really give Deb a good kick start and put her in the best possible place. It's been a positive day. Thank you to everyone for their continue support. We continue to be amazed by the donations coming in. Please feel free to share this update - many people have asked us if we are happy to have our page shared - we are, thank you.

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  • A week on...

      30 September 2020
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    Most of us know that the first few days to a week after treatment is when all those dreaded side affects kick in.... so when you have a good day, then an outing for coffee and cake is a must! Deb has been an absolute trooper this week after a huge day last Tuesday with both her Chemo and Keytruda treatments, as well as having a portacath inserted (you can see the dressing on her neck). We've had visits from the district health nurse and from the Taupo Hospice this week - the care Deb receives is amazing!!! A big thank you to everyone for your wonderful messages and support.

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  • First Keytruda treatment this morning!

      22 September 2020
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    A HUGE day for Deb - by the time I post this, she would have already driven from Taupo to Rotorua and be finished with her very first Keytruda treatment - or as Deb calls it '119mls of liquid gold'. Still to do today is Deb's third chemo treatment as well as a small medical procedure to insert something (this is why my sister in law Aimee usually talks about the medical stuff!) into Deb that will make future 'needles' easier. Deb is also having numerous blood tests today, then back to Taupo late this afternoon. A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the fund - we have already raised enough for two full treatments of Keytruda!!!!!

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