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Please help us with Alison’s fight for more time

  • End of year update on Alison

      29 December 2021
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    Kia ora everyone,

    Before we see the back of 2021, we wanted to say a belated Merry Xmas to you all. And thank you for the support you have given Alison and us this year, through the givealittle page, in person and via lovely messages.

    Mum's had a bit of a rough ride this year. She was advised to take a break from treatment after her first bout of the non-funded targeted treatment landed her in hospital. It coincided with Lockdown, meaning she couldn't have visitors. The whole experience took a toll on her, and her specialist decided to discontinue treatment.

    However, a scan a few weeks later showed significant shrinkage of her lung cancer! So, although it was hard going and she only had a small portion of it - these results came as an unbelievably welcome surprise. Best of all, it gave mum a really positive lift both physically and mentally.

    This break has given her a chance to get back to feeling more like herself. It's also given her the energy to catch up with family and friends - and have lots of belly laughs this Xmas - which is priceless.

    A scan in November showed slight growth in her existing cancers and some new growth (dang it!), so she will resume targeted therapy treatment in mid-Jan 2022.

    Thanks to every one of you, this is possible, and we wanted to share how much we appreciate your support.

    We wish you all a happy New Year and hope 2022 brings you and your loved ones good health.

    Cheers!

    Alison's whanau X

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  • The latest on mum...

      31 July 2021

    Hi everyone,

    Sorry for the delay in posting this update.

    We met with Alison's Oncologist on the 20th of July - prior to our appointment, Alison was presented with the option of non-funded immunotherapy treatment, however ​​during our appointment we were made aware of data supporting targeted therapy (non-funded), an encouraging option for mums cancer and this is the treatment that she has decided to go with.

    Targeted therapy can be taken for as long as it is working. At any time that a scan shows the drug not working, then the treatment stops and we can potentially revisit immunotherapy.

    The targeted therapy treatment consists of two drugs named Dabrafenib and Trametinib. The cost is a little less than that of immunotherapy, so rather than nearly 10k per 3 weeks, this treatment is $5619 per month.

    Mum has received her first month of supply and started taking her treatment on Thursday last week.

    So far, this Givealittle page allows for nearly 3 months of treatment - woohoo!!! Our family continue to be blown away with all of the support and the generous donations received. Again, THANK YOU!

    I’ve pulled together a bit of information that explains a specific mutation of mum's cancer and why Targeted Therapy is a better option for her at this time…

    DIAGNOSIS : Metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, BRAF V600E mutation +ve.

    BRAF is a chemical messenger (enzyme) that controls how cells grow and send signals. BRAF V600E is a specific mutation (change) in the BRAF gene. This genetic change makes the cancer cells produce too much BRAF protein, increasing the growth and spread of cancer cells.

    The BRAF protein can affect other proteins too, such as MEK, which makes cancer cells divide and grow in an uncontrolled way.

    Dabrafenib and trametinib are types of cancer growth blockers. They work together, targeting the BRAF protein that has been helping mums cancer cells grow. The combination of the two drugs will (hopefully) stop, or slow down the growth of Alison’s cancer cells.

    I’ll be sure to keep you updated on how Alison’s new treatment is working for her.

    We have EVERYTHING crossed that this treatment is a winner and that it works for as long as it can!!!

    Cheers to you all,

    Alison’s whanau x

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  • Thank you to you ALL!

      15 July 2021

    Hi everyone,

    Mum's Givealittle page has been live for one week now, and we have been absolutely blown away with the messages of support and donations received so far.

    Together with mum, our family send each and everyone of you a MASSIVE THANK YOU!!! How blessed we are to have so many kind and generous people in our lives, thank you all.

    Our fundraising journey has just begun, and we appreciate your sharing of the Givealittle post on facebook so it continues to be seen.

    We'll keep you updated on mums news and when she is set to start her immunotherapy treatment.

    Until then, take care everyone.

    Cheers,

    Alison, Kelvin and family x

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