Support for Seth and family - Updates

Chemo and the remaining kidney

9 March 2021

We've been waiting to see how Seths remaining kidney is reacting to the chemo, today we know a little more.

Ben and Seth got back from Auckland this afternoon, and it's looking like his remaining kidney is working at 50%.

Seth will have another scan in about 3/4 weeks to determine if the chemo has made the tumor shrink anymore. If chemo isn’t working, they are saying be prepared to undergo surgery again. Along with that the possibility of him losing his remaining kidney.

If this is the case he will have to be on at home dialysis until he is eligible for a transplant (transplant eligibility won’t happen until he is 2 years of chemo free).

Coming home today from the airport, Ben was covered in Seths hair. He had a lot of missing clumps and has been shedding badly for the past week.... so today what was left was shaved off.

In a beautiful act of love and solidarity, mum Shanelle and dad Ben too joined Seth by shaving their own heads, ben his beard too :)

Ben and Shanelle want to thank everyone for their thoughts and support, this givealittle page has made the difference in enabling Ben to be at home and do the hospital stuff, which is where he's most needed right now.

With gratitude and love.

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An update on Seth

23 February 2021

Seth and family have left Starship following his kidney removal, and are now based at home in Feilding.

Each week they are traveling between Palmerston North hospital and Starship where he continues to undergo chemo, as well as other testing to see how his little body is coping.

Tweaks have needed to be made to chemo to help him along, but he is though handling the trips and everything thrown at him, like a champ.

More testing is being carried out and the family have been told this will be a long journey for Seth. The chance of recurrence is likely so extra care is being given, as well as extra monitoring. His hair is falling out and some days aren't so great, but he still loves to play, laugh and run.

He still smiles wide.

Upcoming tests will show how the chemo is working to tackle the tumor on the remaining kidney.

Ben and Shanelle want to express their gratitude for the givealittle donations. They have enabled Ben to stay at home and help care for Seth, as well as travel back and forward to Auckland without needing to uproot the whole family.

So, many many thanks for everyone's generosity in supporting Seth and their family.

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Week One in Starship

1 January 2021

Update from Amy (Aunty to Seth)

Firstly on behalf of Ben and Shanelle, this message is one of complete overwhelm for all support and generosity directed at their family and Seth.

The financial donations gifted have relieved all current pressure and they can focus on being together as a family and helping Seth. Whether it's been $5, or more, every dollar and the love behind it is received with such gratitude.

As an update, Seth had a 6 hour operation on Tuesday to remove a 1kg tumor which had destroyed one kidney.

A small tumor remains on the remaining kidney and they're part way through a week of rest and healing.

Most lines have been removed and Seths handling the new normal of doctors and nurses at him, like a trooper.

In the next week results will be back in from histology which will determine the best treatment whether it be chemo/radiation to treat the remaining tumor.