Back to page

Support for little Finley's Whānau as he fights Childhood Kidney Cancer

  • Radiation

      19 November 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade

    Hello everyone,

    Finley started his radiation journey this week and it has been a tough beginning. On Monday night (the day he had chemotherapy and radiation), he vomited through most of the night, so we had to delay his first radiation session on Tuesday (19/11) because of gas in his tummy.

    He made it through treatment today and things went as expected, but he is exhausted and a bit fragile. We are taking each day as it comes and are deeply thankful for all your aroha and support.

    Gus and Carley

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 20/11/2025 by Lynda

      Such a tough time for you all.

      You will all find the strength in each other and know that many send their love to get through this.

  • Update

      15 November 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    Hello everyone,

    It has been a while since I’ve updated you on Finley. He is still fighting hard and doing his best to stay himself through all of this, but the past few weeks have been tough. We’ve had several unexpected hospital admissions, and he has now started a new round of chemotherapy that will continue through Christmas and into the New Year.

    He begins radiation on Monday. We don’t know how his little body will cope with radiation on top of chemo, and the uncertainty is heavy. Some days he is full of smiles, and other days he is quiet and exhausted, and it feels like too much of his childhood is being lived in hospital corridors and treatment rooms.

    Christmas will look different for us this year. While others plan holidays and family gatherings, we are planning chemo dates, blood tests, and figuring out how to keep him safe from every cough and cold. Sadly, due to Hickman line he can't go swimming either.

    We are trying to hold on to small moments of joy for both boys, even as most of the holiday period will be spent in the hospital or travelling for treatment.

    We are incredibly proud of Finley’s strength, but it is hard watching him go through this. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and for all the messages and kindness. Your support means more than you know.

    Please continue to follow the silenthum.co.nz and subscribe for updates.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update on Rah

      30 September 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    Hello everyone,

    Thank you for your patience between updates.

    Rah is in week 9 of chemotherapy. He has over 20 weeks to go. He has started a new regimen and is coping well.

    He had chemotherapy and a CT scan today. The scan checks how his lungs are functioning and looks for any metastases. There are still a few white specks. The team will review this on Friday and decide whether to add radiation to the lungs alongside the abdomen.

    I have launched a blog: https://www.silenthum.co.nz/

    Please follow.

    I am also writing a book. If you work in publishing or developmental editing, or know someone who does, please get in touch.

    Thank you for your support.

    Kind regards,

    Gus

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Surgery Update

      5 September 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    Rah had a sucessful operation on Wednesday, he was in theatre for eight hours and they were able to remove his right kidney and some of his left. He has been having some issues with his cathater, he is in a lot of pain and on a lot of pain relief, however is is slowly on the mend.

    He will be on the surgical floor for two weeks, before heading up to oncology to start his new chemotherapy regime.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 05/09/2025 by glynis

      poor little guy, hope he recovers well xx

  • A Sad Day for Our Finny

      27 August 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    oday, Finny was meant to have his operation, but it has been postponed until next week as there were no ICU beds available. It feels like such a sad paradox—heartbreaking that there are so many children unwell enough to need those beds, and yet heartbreaking too that our sick little boy must wait even longer for his surgery.

    We have been reassured that the operation will go ahead next week, regardless of the nurses’ strike, as special approval has been granted due to the urgency of his condition.

    Alongside this, we have also been given Finny’s new treatment plan:

    Week 1: Inpatient stay with six hours of chemotherapy each day (Monday–Friday), alongside daily radiation.

    Weeks 2 & 3: Daily radiation with one day of chemotherapy each week.

    Week 4: Same as Week 1 – six hours of chemotherapy daily plus radiation.

    It’s a tough road ahead, but Finny continues to face it with bravery beyond his years. Thank you all for your love, support, and generosity as we navigate this journey.

    From next Tuesday I will be in hospital for two weeks.

    Please continue to share our page as our life is going to get a lot harder and a lot more complicated.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 28/08/2025 by Alina

      Your family is in our prayers. May Finley recover soon and painlessly. As a parent it's so hard watching our little ones go through pain. I wish you strength and faith.

  • Finny is in Hospital

      26 August 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade

    Hello everyone,

    So after an emotional week saying goodbye to our baby Bailey we now move onto Finny.

    Finley tomorrow will be having nephrectomy of his right Kidney and unfortunately the cancer is still in his left and will after a partial nephrectomy of his left kidney.

    Sn update on his cancer though, the chemotherapy has worked wonders on his right tumour and it has shrunk by 80% which is amazing, but this news comes with some sadness that after gene studies he has what they call “loss of heterozygosity" which means he needs more intensive chemotherapy, more chemotherapy drugs are added and chemo more often.

    After his kidney and tumour are removed he will then have 25 rounds of radiation.

    Our little man is a fighter and we are hear to stand alongside him.

    I'm currently working on an article to have published and have started to write a book.

    I'm here with him in hospital for the next week..

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • A tough parradox

      25 August 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade

    Our family has been asked to carry the weight of a heavy paradox. Just as we pour all our hope and strength into Finley's cancer journey, our hearts have broken with the passing of our third son, Bailey August Greenslade. Born sleeping at 29 weeks, on the 21st August. His life was so brief, but the love he brought with him is eternal.

    Right now, our grief for Bailey is living alongside our fear for Finley. Our love for Skyelar helps ground us and reminds us of the light in our lives. It’s a relentless emotional landscape to navigate, and we are trying to find a way through it, one breath at a time.

    Though we never got the chance to hear his cry or feel his gaze, Bailey's presence and spirit have deeply touched our lives. He will always be our beloved third son.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • The Power of a Parent's Voice

      12 August 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade

    When you become a parent, you learn a new language—one of unspoken worries and fierce hope. With a child facing a health battle, that language evolves into a powerful form of advocacy.

    Lately, that advocacy has felt like a fight.

    As parents, we are the experts on our child. We know their quietest fears, their slightest flinches, and the look in their eyes that says "this is too much." For us, seeing Finley’s distress and anxiety before and after procedures is deeply painful. We know there has to be a better way for him.

    When we advocate, we aren’t challenging the incredible people who provide care. We are simply bringing our unique, intimate knowledge of our son to the table. But it's profoundly frustrating when that voice feels ignored—when we explain the emotional toll on Finley and are met with a clinical response. It can feel like an invalidation of our instincts, our love, and our expertise.

    Our journey with Finley's Wilms tumour is about so much more than medicine. It’s about preserving his spirit, protecting his joy, and ensuring he feels safe and heard. We are learning to translate our parental instincts into a language the medical world understands, and to keep pushing when our words don’t land the first time.

    This struggle isn't just ours. It's the fight of so many parents who feel unseen and unheard in the halls of hospitals. We are all just trying to do our best for our children.

    Thank you for being part of our village.

      2 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 12/08/2025 by Lynda

      Wow What amazing profund words.

      I remember a similar feeling nearly 40 years ago with a sick son and feeling alone on our journey and not understood as a parent who was advocating for my child. It did feel like we were not given credit for being the ones who knew our child best and that we of course have their best interests always in the for front. Finley is lucky to have you fighting for him. Stay strong and follow your instincts.There are some health professionals out there that do understand what you are facing, especially those who are parents themselves. It is a fine line balancing both clinical and the mental well being of Finley.

      As you state there are many of us who are in your village even silently supporting and understanding your journey. Take care!

    • 15/08/2025 by Augustus Greenslade

      Thank you so much for your beautiful words Lynda. We both truly appreciate it.

  • Hair Loss

      5 August 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    A big day for us we mark the day Finnys hair has come out.

    There are lots of emotions on chemotherapy days as Finley does not like being accessed.

    We are looking at different options and will hopefully have a Hickman inserted on his operation day.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 11/08/2025 by Carla

      I continue to pray for little Finley and your family. May God bless you during this very challenging time. May you seek your strength from Him 🙏

  • Fathers' grief is often unseen.

      30 July 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    My family's journey is complex: Skyelar (5), Finley battling bilateral kidney cancer and chemotherapy, and our third son dying at 25 weeks gestation. Witnessing Finley's chemo is agony; I've endured it myself, knowing his pain. The profound guilt of intentionally making him sick for healing weighs heavily.

    This is a relentless juggle: grieving our unborn son, actively parenting a critically unwell child, and nurturing Skyelar. Remaining present amidst medical demands and overwhelming exhaustion is a constant effort. Fathers often internalize grief, pressured to be strong. There's no fixing this loss, only finding a way to carry it.

    Unexpectedly, reconnecting with old friends has offered quiet comfort and strength. These renewed bonds are a lifeline.

    Please, see the fathers. Understand their strength often masks deep sorrow. Acknowledge their pain, without platitudes. Sometimes, just knowing someone sees their struggle makes all the difference. Love doesn't always heal as expected; it reshapes us, a testament to profound connection and the courage to keep going.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Devastating Update

      27 July 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    It is with the heaviest of hearts that Carley and I share some incredibly difficult news. On Thursday, we learned that we have lost our sweet baby boy at 25 weeks.

    The tumour on our son's thymus gland grew at a rate no one anticipated, and it is now pressing against his heart and lungs. Our precious boy is not going to survive.

    As we navigate the impossible grief of preparing to birth our son as a stillborn, we are also bracing ourselves for Finley's operation, which will be happening at the same time. Facing two such mentally and emotionally draining situations simultaneously has left us feeling incredibly vulnerable.

    I will be by Finley's side in the hospital, while Carley will be recovering at home.

    Thank you, from the depths of our hearts, for your continued support and donations. Your kindness means more to us than words can express during this unimaginable time.

    Pictured Finley enjoying some sunshine after we cut his hair as it was falling out.

    Please continue to share our page.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 28/07/2025 by Craig & Andrea Sergeant

      I'm so sorry to hear of your loss guys. Kia kaha ❤️

  • It’s been a rough few days for us.

      19 July 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    On Thursday, Finny developed a fever over 38°C — which is considered a medical emergency for children undergoing chemotherapy. We took him straight to Starship’s Emergency Department, where he was taken into resus. After several rounds of IV antibiotics, we were sent home.

    But by Friday, Finny’s fevers hadn’t settled, so we returned to Starship CED. This time, he was admitted to the ward.

    He’s still having temperatures and is now on IV fluids, with his NG feeds still running to support him. He’s not wanting to eat or drink — which is especially hard to see in a child who’s always loved his food.

    We’re taking it one moment at a time, staying by his side and doing everything we can to keep him comfortable and supported.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Week One

      15 July 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    It has been one week since Finley started chemotherapy — and today, he received his second dose. It's hard to describe how quickly life can change as a parent. One moment you’re going about your routine, and the next your world is flipped upside down.

    Finley continues to amaze us with his bravery and resilience. Even in the hardest moments, he manages to smile, and those glimpses of joy mean everything right now.

    He’s struggling with eating and drinking — he asks for food, but when it’s in front of him, he can’t bring himself to eat. For those of you who know Finny, you’ll understand how heartbreaking that is. He’s always loved food, and seeing him turn away from it makes it painfully clear just how hard his little body is working to fight this disease.

    Today, speaking again with the oncologist and having Finley’s diagnosis of Stage 5 Wilms’ tumour reaffirmed brought it all into sharper focus — what the next few weeks and months will look like for him, and for all of us.

    We’ve had to make some huge sacrifices as a family. I’ve put my nursing studies on hold. We already knew our unborn baby would need complex care after birth, and now with Finley’s diagnosis, we’ve had to re-centre everything around just being present — being there for our children in the ways they need most.

    This journey is teaching us the raw, real meaning of showing up for your family. It's not always graceful or easy — but it is constant, and it is love.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Sleepy Finny

      13 July 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    I went through chemotherapy myself as a teenager, around 20 years ago. Coming back into this world again — but this time as a parent — has stirred up a lot of emotions I hadn’t expected. It’s brought back memories I had buried deep, and on a personal level, it’s been incredibly heavy to carry.

    Watching Finley go through this — seeing him vulnerable, hooked up to tubes, undergoing treatment — is heartbreaking in a way that’s hard to put into words. This diagnosis has hit us hard. It’s not just the shock of cancer itself, but the emotional toll of seeing your child in pain and not being able to protect them from it.

    It’s exhausting, raw, and deeply personal — both as someone who’s lived through cancer, and now as a parent trying to hold it all together for their child.

    Finley isn't eating or drinking, but knowing he is getting his food through the tube is reassuring.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Update on Finny

      11 July 2025
    Posted by: Finley's father, Augustus Greenslade
    Main image

    We just wanted to share a little update on how Finley is doing. He’s now started his chemotherapy treatment, and it’s been a really tough week for our little warrior 💛. He’s been so brave through it all, even with the big changes and hospital stays.

    Right now, Finley is on daily IV fluids and chemo, so we’re in hospital while he adjusts. He’s been tired, but still manages to give us his cheeky little smiles and cuddles when he has the energy — his strength keeps amazing us every single day.

    We’re just taking everything one step at a time and focusing on keeping him as comfortable and happy as we can through all of this.

    Thank you all again for your kindness, generosity, and support. Every message, donation, and thought means the world to us and helps lighten this heavy load. We’ll keep you posted as we can.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment