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Support the Curreen Family and Brent's Terminal Cancer Journey

  • Post Lockdown Haircuts and other things

      10 June 2020
    Posted by: Brent Curreen
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    Hi Team,

    It's been a few days since my last update, and things have been ticking over here. I continue to be amazed at the level of support I've received, from simple offers of help and support , to meals being cooked, food being donated, and of course the ever growing number of donation's we've received.

    A few nights ago Nevin and I were browsing various causes on Givealittle. Nevin noticed that one of the causes had only raised $300, and he asked "Dad, can we help that lady? She only has $300". So I said, "Sure, we can help her if that's what you want to do?" to which he insisted he did want to help her. I asked him how much he would like to donate, and he asked if he could donate $10. So we donated $10 to the ladies cause. You may ask why this story is important to our cause, or important enough to put into an update. The story is important because is just another example of how all his life Nevin has shown empathy and concern for others, regardless of (or maybe because of) the trials and tribulations he himself has gone through in life.

    Since my last update I have come off the steroids given to help me through the IV chemotherapy, and I have been taking oral chemotherapy tablets which last for 2 weeks from the date the IV chemo started. The steroids definitely help with energy levels, and I noticed a big dip in energy when I first came off them. The nausea comes and goes, and sometimes I find it's worse when I'm hungry, so snacking may help me keep it at bay. I felt pretty good today, and arranged a catch up with some great support people I met from the Clendon Pride Project. I picked up Nevin from school, and decided we would do a quick shopping trip to get a few supplies. I may have just pushed myself a little too far, as I ended up having to sit down in the milk ilse for a minute to catch my breath. So I may just stick to 1 outing per day for the time being :-)

    Thanks again for taking the time to hear/read our story. I look forward to posting more updates :-)

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  • Brent's latest treatments and updates

      5 June 2020
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    Hi Everyone,

    Today I had Chemo therapy. The chemo was via IV through a Power Port that was surgically implanted last week. I’m feeling a little tired, and a little nauseous, and my nerves are super sensitive. If I wash my hands or the wind blows on my fingers, I get pins and needles. My mouth also feels a little numb. I have to make sure I keep my neck nice and warm now, or I it could cause spasms in my Larynx due to the increased nerve sensitivity.

    So far I have had 3 rounds of Vitamin C infusion. 1 pre Lockdown, and 2 post Lockdown. The dosages where lower doses to build up my Immunity prior to chemo. Unfortunately the lockdown put all my medical treatment on hold including the Chemo treatment, as it was part of a trial which I could not conduct face to face interviews for during Lockdown. I had to wait until level 3 to be admitted into the trial. I had a 1 cm increase in the growth of the adrenal gland tumour from 5cm to 6cm between the scans done not long before the lockdown, and the scan done at the end of the lockdown.

    I have spoken to a nutritionist by the name of Kaytee Boyd. Kaytee was once a top BMX rider for New Zealand, and was training to go to the Olympic’s to compete, but due to an injury was unable to do so. She now runs a clinic in Auckland called The Boyd Clinic, and specialises in nutritional requirements for people going through chemotherapy and cancer. I will be arranging to a consultation with Kaytee over Zoom hopefully on Tuesday.

    All in all I’m feeling fairly positive at the moment, and looking forward to smashing this from all angles.

    Thank you so much to everyone supporting me and donating to help me fight this cancer. If you could continue to share my story and help give me a chance I would so appreciate it.

    Thanks heaps

    Brent Curreen

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