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Support Marama's Journey: Chemotherapy for Hope

  • Time forward with Marama, Xavier & Amiri

      7 November 2024
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    Hello all,

    It doesn't come easy to share with you all that treatment is no longer going to be ultimately beneficial for Marama. We are now at a point of care where comfort is optimum.

    In terms of funds, what we have in her funding account will continue to be for lymphedema treatment, anything related to comfort and making daily life easier, and last but not least, memories to be made with her two sons and close family the way she would like.

    Please do not ask for a timeline, as this is unpredictable, and we are taking things as they come.

    Thank you to everyone who has supported us all, including the people of today. Near or far. We appreciate you.

    I'd like to finish this update by giving a huge shout-out to Marama because what she has endured and what she continues to endure is awful - there is no word from it apart from saying how proud I am and continue to be of her strength.

    Ngaa mihi nui

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    • 08/11/2024 by Ayla

      😭💔

      Yes I wanna come see you

      Wish I made more of a effort

      Especially when we were OTP at Teresa’s

      Big luvz mah to u and the boys 😭💔🫶

  • Current treatment no longer beneficial

      13 September 2024
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    Kia ora tātou,

    It is with immense heartache to let you know the current chemo treatment (Carboplatin & Capecitabine) is no longer fighting against the cancer. For the last 5 weeks it has progressed to her skin (neck/chest). Mar has spent time in & out of hospital while the DHB tried investigating her pain & increasing symptoms. Scans show the nodules in the lungs have grown again, the tumour on her neck has grown, as well as spreading to the skin.

    This means the current treatment is no longer beneficial.

    There are 2 more things he can do

    1. An unfunded $4000 blood test that is sent to the States, this blood test gives a 5% opportunity for more treatment.

    2. Another type of UNFUNDED Chemo (Paclitaxel) infusion, this would be a 10-15% chance of extending life span by months. 2 weeks on & 1 week off. $1000 each dose + hospital & specialist fees. Every 6 weeks we would need $6000 to go ahead. This is triple what we have been asking help for currently. With this treatment comes loss of hair.

    Marama is awaiting radiation to try help with symptoms on her chest.

    We have been told by our specialist (scientifically) Marama has months left here with us with or without treatment. Mar will go ahead with treatment despite the odds & side effects, as she doesn't want to leave any leaves unturned for Xavier & Amiri.

    If you've read this far - you care, please tautoko by offering koha to help us proceed. Or please get in contact if there are other ways you would like to help.

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  • Two ROUNDS of chemo done & dusted, onto the third! NON PUBLICLY FUNDED!!

      30 July 2024
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    Hello everyone near and far supporting in for our Marama, Xavier & Amiri.

    Marama has endured 3/3 sessions of the Chemo infusions TWO times, and yesterday she has gone straight back into starting her third.

    We had amazing results from the first round as you have read, or if you haven't you can look back on our previous updates for more info. Since the second round, we have not had our scans that tell us more as of yet - but will be very soon. Due to the results from the first round being what they were, the specialist didn't want to wait for our next results before beginning the THIRD round.

    As much as Marama wanted a break, she was strong enough to get straight back into it. It has been very physically and emotionally demanding for Marama - and painful to watch for those close.

    With that being said, it is financially challenging with the continuing costs that this horrid disease persists with. As everyone is aware with the current state of the costs for living and the economy of Aotearoa, it doesn't make things any easier! If you can support in anyway to help continue Maramas' treatment which enables Xavier & Amiri to have their mum by their sides through their childhood - there would be no words that could amount to the gratitude our whaanau would feel.

    If this could just be a little more easier for Marama, then please let it <3

    Another update will follow in the coming weeks with Maramas' recent health results,

    Ngaa mihi nui

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  • First 3 rounds of Chemotherapy.

      9 May 2024

    Kia ora everyone,

    We received amazing results from the first 3 rounds of Chemotherapy. Every single cancer growth has reduced in size, more than half in size for every growth. Including where the largest spot has almost completely diminished. Although we have been made aware of a growth in Maramas' bone on her spine - even so, it showed that the bone is healing (Chemo also targeted this). What this means is that the Cancer is currently being MANAGED, it is currently UNDER CONTROL.

    Treatment, although it has so far given us the best results we could ask for (happy tears) - woefully, it cannot cure Marama. All we can do is keep this under control and managed.

    Our next step is we will be doing another 3 rounds of the same treatment. Which does take the absolute life out of Marama. It takes a massive toll on her body - after her third round she became hospitalised. To try manage this better this next time round, she will be taking blood tests weekly to have a close eye kept on her. As well as a 30-40% decrease of the medicine in her infusions. She should still have great results regardless of the decade, as the cells are super sensitive to this treatment as seen in the results. This way, it just means Marama will hopefully be able to cope with the side effects better.

    Financially, it is difficult. We need your continued support to help fund Maramas' care and treatment. Without it, we wouldn't be able to control the cancer.

    Let's keep on fighting the fight, together.

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  • Change in treatment

      20 March 2024
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    Whanau, friends, associates.

    We really need your help to continue funding Marama's care and treatment.

    The 4 treatments for Pembrolizumab rounded to costing $36,000. That doesn't include fuel or Maramas' Lymphedema treatment. Our specialist costs $350 every time we see him. Our new treatment (Carboplatin IV every 3-4 weeks with 14 days of Capecitabine tablets) costs $600 every time, which is a lot cheaper but still takes a toll on our family. Please continue to help our Whanau, Marama, Xavier & Amiri to feel loved and supported at this extremely difficult time.

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  • The hope beyond Immunotherapy for our trio <3

      6 February 2024
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    To our family, friends and supporters. After 4 courses of Pembrolizumab and more Radiation we didn't get the news we all yearned for. Our scan has showed us progression for Maramas type of cancer. Progression in her lungs and neck. Thats not going to stop us though, our specialist is fighting for Maramas length of time & life just as much as we are. Without going into too much detail, our next course of action is a type of Chemotherapy where every 3 weeks Marama with have an infusion as well as pill form Chemo. Today Tuesday 6th of February Marama had her first infusion. Depending on how Maramas body responds will determine our next step over the next 6 weeks. Our course of medical support continues to be private as this is much better care for our Marama, this also means continued self funding. Between funding our care and treatment we are also taking into account the quality time our trio spend together. We are aiming to send our trio on a holiday of some sorts soon. Please continue to tautoko in any way you can.. share, love, spread, donate, fundraise. We will continue to keep you updated as much as possible. Nga mihi <3 xo

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  • 3rd Pembrolizumab (Immunotherapy) & Radiation done and dusted!

      3 January 2024
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    Kia Ora everyone,

    We hope you all had a lovely, relaxing Christmas & New Years. This time of the year is a great reminder & time to cherish loved ones.

    Over this period Marama received Radiation treatment to the lump on her neck. It was hard for her & us to watch her go through this - the neck isn't a comfortable place to Radiate. She's reached a week post radiation which is where it's at its most uncomfortable time. And can I just say - she's done AMAZING! She had her moments but we wouldn't be human if we didn't. She is always rising above the circumstances which is so powerful. This is the most rawest, tough time but she does not let it define who she is.

    Yesterday (Tues 2nd January '24) we travelled to Palmerston North for the 3rd time to receive our medicine 'Pembrolizumab'. Each time this costs $8,716.

    One of the hardest aspects for Marama, is sharing her current circumstances on social media for the public to see/know about & to ask for help. But we do need your support not only for Marama but for Xavier & Amiri, so they can have their māmā continue raising them through their childhood.

    To support in other ways, we also run fundraisers which are through our Facebook page "Hope for Marama". Feel free to join our page to tautoko. Link - https://www.facebook.com/groups/702788481952660

    In 3 weeks we will be receiving our 4th treatment followed by a scan which then give us results as to whether the treatment is giving us that hope we need.

    Ngā mihi nui

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  • Approaching 2nd treatment with positive energy <3

      5 December 2023
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    Kia Ora family, friends, associates and the wider New Zealand community,

    Thank you all so far for who have supported us all at this time. Whether that's by sharing, donating, fundraising, spreading the word or in any other way of love and kindness.

    Marama will receive her 2nd treatment next Tuesday 12th December. Due to Marama's strength & the AMAZING private Oncologist we have on board for our journey - Marama has been feeling more comfortable than she was prior to treatment starting.

    This will be due to multiple contributing factors. Ie; daily medications, lifestyle changes (eg: no smoking, exercise, nutrition), the natural strength her children Xavier & Amiri give her) AND fingers crossed the Immunotherapy itself.

    I will continue to keep you all updated as it is a trying time of the year with Christmas & the new year approaching but even so please keep Marama, Xavier & Amiri in your thoughts and prayers.

    Please continue to tautoko in every way possible that you personally can. You have all been amazing, the support we feel is so strong and we as a whanau feel it. The financial stress of this journey has been alleviated because of you all. We couldn't appreciate or thank you all enough, there are no words that could amount to the gratitude we feel.

    Again, thank you & keep the supportive energy strong flowing.

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  • Marama's journey for HOPE <3

      24 November 2023
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    Thank you so much to all who have donated, fundraised, and are supporting us through our journey of hope. Marama had her first treatment on Tuesday of Immunotherapy (Pembrolizumab). Not only that but we met our new private Oncologist in Palmerston North who is absolutely nothing less than amazing. TODAY (Friday 24th Nov) Marama has spoken about her new daily pain management medication and for the first time ever she feels no pain from the lump in her neck. Hopefully she continues to feel more comfortable, and if not our Oncologists says HE WILL HELP with reducing/TAKING AWAY our girls pain! He has kicked the Wellington Radiology Department up their backsides to see Marama again to possibly give her radiation to this nasty lump. We would not have been able to get Marama into this position without the help of us all.

    Unfortunately we are not done yet though, please continue to keep Marama in your thoughts, spread the word, and engage where you can in our fundraising for Hope. We do have a goal now on our page, and that is 93 thousand dollars. This would give us our 10 treatments of immunotherapy + the continuous assistance from this AMAZING Oncologist.

    This is our BEST chance to lengthen the lifespan of our girl, not only that but improve the quality of time our boys Xavier & Amiri will have with their Mother Marama.

    Really take the time to look at this picture of Marama, despite her circumstances she is spreading the most gorgeous positive smile <3

    TAUTOKO!!

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  • Marama and her 1st treatment

      21 November 2023

    Kia Ora everyone,

    Thank you so much to who have donated so far, you are all so appreciated so far. This is a little update on Marama’s journey. Today (21st November 2023) because of all of your help we are able to have Marama start her FIRST treatment today in Palmerston North. This is an amazing start. She has to have a treatment every 3 weeks. We start with 3-4 to see if it is going to help at all. We pay ONE treatment at a time which is just short of $9500. We will keep you all updated on how we go but for the meantime keep Marama, Xavier and Amiri in your thoughts as we support and love them along the way. Please keep sharing and/or donating if you’re in a position to. Our boys need their māmā earth side. Nga Mihi, Olivia

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