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Support Vaydem’s Journey to a Brighter Future

  • **Update: A Few Weeks at Home & A Big Wish **

      21 April 2025
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    Hi everyone,

    We wanted to share a quick update on how Vaydem’s doing. He’s been home for a few weeks now, which has been such a relief after everything he’s been through. He’s still on some pretty high levels of antibiotics, but we recently got results from a PET scan that show the infection is clearing—amazing news and a huge step forward!

    We also wanted to talk about Vaydem’s Make-A-Wish. His wish was for a bedroom makeover—a space just for him, where he can feel safe, comfortable, and inspired. Unfortunately, we were told last week that due to budget constraints, they won’t be able to go ahead with it. We’re so grateful for what Make-A-Wish has already done and totally understand—but it was a tough blow for him.

    Because of this, we’re hoping to make his dream room happen ourselves. If you’re able to keep sharing this page or donate, it would mean the world to us. Every bit of support gets us closer to creating a space where Vaydem can truly relax, heal, and just be a teenager again.

    Thank you all so much for the continued love, support, and generosity. Vaydem deserves all the good things this world has to offer, and we’re so lucky to have you standing with us 💛

    Please share if you can!

    With love,

    The Marshalls

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  • Update from Vaydem’s Whānau

      14 April 2025
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    We’ve been home for a few weeks now, and it has been absolutely amazing to be back together as a family in our own space again. Vaydem is doing really well and continues to stay strong through it all.

    We’re still heading to clinic weekly for check-ups, and he receives his plasma exchange every fortnight to help manage the TMA. This Wednesday, we have a PET scan scheduled to check how the infection is going—we're really hoping for no signs of anything this time!

    We have been busy bringing Vaydem's wish of a bedroom makeover into fruition so hopefully he can have his own safe oasis far from the medical world!

    We continue to be so grateful for all the donations, messages, and support. Every bit of it means so much to us and is helping us get through this journey together. Thank you for being part of Team Vaydem 💛

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  • Vaydem turns 15!

      13 March 2025
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    Yesterday Vaydem turned 15! We had a mixed day with nausea and the night ending with involuntary muscle spasms (which havent been around for a while) but overall he had the best day! You can see what we got up to via the link. Thank you all once again for your generosity 💛

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  • Test Results and upcoming birthday

      11 March 2025
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    Last week Vaydem underwent a few test's, first a lung biopsy, a camera that observed his oesophagus and a re reassertion of his NG tube. We are still awaiting confirmation of results from all of those testing because it takes time for bacteria to grow in the labs however the infectious diseases team and our primary doctor are pretty confident that what is causing his current issues is due to the bacteria called Nocardia. This bacteria is quite an unusual one and one that is rather stubborn. On Friday last week they switched him to 3 new antibiotics one of which can be quite diabolical to the kidneys so they are keeping a very close eye on his kidney function. All in All he is feeling pretty good and today we were told that we are aiming for March 24 to break out of this place. Tomorrow is Vaydem's birthday. We were really hoping that this year we wouldn't be celebrating in the hospital but it is what it is and we will make the best of it. He is going to be turning 15! Once again we really want to thank you all for your generous donations, it means the world to us that you care. Attached is a wee photo of a Tacosaurus which was kindly gifted to Vaydem in anticipation of his birthday from a lovely creator called Maddy whose Instagram shop is called Ms Crochets Studios, check them out!

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