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Rhys's Cancer Fight Fund

  • Scan 2 update

      16 August 2023
    Posted by: Rhys McKay

    Well the results are in and its another win for the good guys.

    The main tumour has shrunk 25% to 8cm x 6cm.

    While it is still a decent hunk of crap that has taken up home in my body its a lot smaller than the 20cm x 20cm mass when we started this journey.

    The plan at this stage is to just keep smashing the tumours with the cocktail of medication until they are just small abnormalities on the CT Scan.

    Fingers crossed we can achieve this.

    There are some exciting times ahead and a planned trip for work across the pond is a highlight in the near future I'm really looking forward to.

    Once again I cant thank everyone for the help and support on this journey.

    Don't sweat the small stuff and enjoy life.

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  • Keytruda Round 7

      16 July 2023
    Posted by: Rhys McKay
    Main image

    Sorry its been a while.

    Had Keytruda round 7 which means its 21 weeks in since taking the medications.

    Where did the weeks go ha ha

    Had one of my many awesome support team Scott Mitchell come along for the day to see how it all works and tell race stories of how fast we are. Also along was my rock Amber.

    I managed to work Saturday and Sunday after the infusion and then a full week of work.

    On the Monday night after the infusion I went and volunteered at Ronald McDonald House and made dinner for the families of children currently in Starship Hospital. This was arranged through my awesome work Mercedes Benz North Shore who are a sponsor of Ronald McDonald House and have been nothing but amazing to me during this journey.

    On the Tuesday night we had a night out planned at Cirque De Soleil show Crystal and it was to be one of out first nights out in ages and anybody who knows me knows I love the Circus.

    Well not the night out that we had planned with Amber being assaulted on the way to the show and then I was also assaulted by the person who was running from Security and Police.

    I managed to restrain him with help of Briotmart security until Police arrived.

    We were shaken and bruised and not the nice quiet night we had planned.

    I often have long periods of reflect on my life and realize how lucky I have been to have so many amazing experiences from Travel, Racing, Friends and Work and I hope can have many more experiences in the future.

    Thanks to all you amazing people.

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  • Keytruda Round 6

      24 June 2023
    Posted by: Rhys McKay

    Its been a minute, on Friday 16th June had round 6 of Keytruda.

    I count myself pretty lucky so far with the side effects I have had and my general day to day has been pretty good.

    This week after round 6 is the worst I have felt since leaving hospital and has been a real struggle.

    I have an amazing support team which has kept me on track during the tougher times and cant thank them enough.

    Somebody said to me the other day that they felt sorry for me, I feel sorry for all the people that this is effecting Amber, Min and Don all my amazing family and Friends

    Every single message of support has really meant alot to me.

    Things overall seem to still be tracking in the right direction so I just pray it continues that way.

    Here's to a better week

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  • Scan results are in

      24 May 2023
    Posted by: Rhys McKay

    Scan Update

    Well the results are back from the first scan since taken medication to try kick this sh*t disease to the kerb.

    It’s not good news it’s bloody GREAT news

    All the tumours have shrunk between 50% to 75% including the main tumour which has shrunk by over 50%.

    In the DRs words it is a remarkable recovery from when I was in hospital as back then the outlook was not good.

    Thanks you so much to everyone for all the support so far on this journey.

    The plan is to keep taken the 3 medications I am on to shrink them to almost nothing.

    Time for a Beer 🍺

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    • 25/05/2023 by Don

      Keep up the excellent progress Rhys you will beat this horrible disease. We are so proud of what you have achieved. ❤️❤️

  • Ketruda round 4

      7 May 2023
    Posted by: Rhys McKay
    Main image

    We had an oncology check up on Tuesday followed by Ketruda infusion on Friday.

    We appear to be going in the right direction and the doctor could physically feel the main tumour in my stomach has shrunk by what appears to be a good amount in the time we have been on the medication.

    I have enough energy to almost complete a full day of work and am able to work most weekdays which I’m really enjoying being back with everyone at work. Such an awesome bunch of people

    I even sold my first car since being back which felt bloody good.

    Overall my progress forward has been very good and I can’t thank everyone enough for all the support and help during this journey and it makes me emotional how kind everyone has been.

    I have a scan in two weeks which will measure all the tumours and hopefully tell us it’s going in the right direction. I’m nervous as I think it’s improving and hope the news will confirm this.

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  • Easter update

      10 April 2023
    Posted by: Rhys McKay

    Happy Easter, hope everyone is spending quality time with family and friends.

    Time for a little update as there has been some progress since last update.

    Firstly thank you to everyone who has donated to the give a little to help with the unfunded medication we have to buy.

    It is truly humbling and I can’t thank everyone enough you are truely helping the healing in this fight.

    The swelling from the blood clots has come down and I am now able to walk.

    Since being able to walk I have managed to have a couple of dinners out and have left the house on multiple occasions and I can’t tell you how a simple task like leaving the house has been good for me.

    I drove a car for the first time in 2 months and as you know cars are a massive part of my life so be able to get back behind the wheel is massive.

    I have had my first part day back at work and I felt a sense of achievement which was very emotional.

    I can’t thank Craig and the team at Mercedes Benz North Shore enough as they have been amazing during this journey.

    A tumour in my groin that is protruding and can be felt appears to be shrinking and we have a CT scan on Wednesday to see what progress is so I have my fingers crossed for good news.

    I took the dog on a 15 minute walk today which for me was a massive achievement

    Still have a long way to go but I am sure I can see a tiny bit of light

    Amber Mckay has been a true rock star and could not have got this far without her she truly is my rock.

    Juan (Scott Mitchell) and Pedro (Lincoln Bramley) the number 1 gardeners who have been looking after property I owe you big time.

    My Mum and Dad thanks for everything you do you are the best parents.

    To everyone that has visited and contacted me thanks so much it really lifts my spirits and makes my day brighter.

    Let’s smash this bugger

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