This was a single dose of chemo. Dad has finished his course of the more intense chemo and the keytruda now drops in frequency.
I've been terrible at the updates of dad's journey but Preston and I managed to get up and visit dad (Poppa) for his 5th round ☺️ some big smiles around the ward with dad introducing his grandson to all the staff he's got to know so we'll!
We had a wee bit of a scare with dad admitted to hospital recently. Some inflammation in the lungs which they were worried may be caused by the keytruda. Dad was due for larynx surgery which is now postponed and his treatment is on hold to give his body time to recover from all the inflammation! An urgent CT scan showed no tumour spread and it is stable! The Oncologist will review in a fortnight after a course of steroids and then back on to treatment - hopefully targeted therapy this time. Mum and Dad are trying hard to access this through a compassionate pharmaceutical grant.
Words from mum and dad:
Thank you for all the well wishes but most of all the donations on the Give a Little page- we are indebted to absolute strangers and friends who have helped lessen the financial burden during this difficult time as we continue to fight the systems making access to life extending drugs so difficult! We are also thankful for all the kind gestures as we face other family health strains. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts xx
Chemo session number 3 out of 4 infusions of Carboplatin done! That's the nasty one out the way.
Third different chemo round in past 11 years!
Then dad's just got Keytruda and a milder chemo every 6 weeks for the next two years.
This time he had his grandson there to bring smiles all round the treatment rooms.
A huge thank you to Minette Kuhn for the creative hat!
Another big thanks to everyone who has donated through givealittle or otherwise! It's truly humbling and a huge help! We've almost had two sessions of keytruda paid for and that's super amazing!!! Thank you thank you!
That's awesome news. All the very best to you all.
Zahra Shahtahmasebi - NZ Doctor Magazine
Feeling overwhelmed to be the latest recipient of the Peter Snow Memorial Award, Kerikeri GP Grahame Jelley found himself having to cut his acceptance speech short.
Receiving the award during National Rural Health Conference dinner on 30 April was a very emotional time, he tells New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa, and he stopped short to avoid becoming a “blubbering mess”.
Many tears were shed on his behalf, including by his wife, rural nurse Renene Jelley, and previous recipient of the medal, nurse practitioner Tania Kemp, who were seated at the same table.
Salt of the earth
Dr Jelley says he had been reflecting on previous recipients, particularly fellow GPs Martin London and Tim Malloy, who had been mentors for him when he first arrived, “wet behind the ears”, from Zimbabwe.
“To be seen and stood up in the same acknowledgement as them…the words overwhelmed and privileged come to mind immediately.”
Landing on New Zealand’s West Coast in 2000, Dr Jelley and Renene encountered Ms Kemp, who became a mentor for Renene.
“That’s the thing about rural communities, they’re a close-knit society.”
After working rurally for over 30 years, Dr Jelley draws one major commonality across these communities.
“I went from working in Zimbabwe with salt of the earth people, to the West Coast, with salt of the earth people, and the same in Bay of Plenty and Northland. The essence of New Zealand are in those people…I would’ve wilted and died in the cities.”
Easier load to bear
The award has also come during a journey of personal health challenges for Dr Jelley, so he says it was uplifting.
“When you are being challenged by the unknown ahead of you, to know that your contribution has been meaningful makes that load far easier to bear.”
Dr Jelley was nominated by Northland nurse practitioner colleague Rhoena Davis, who writes he is a man of high moral standards, and has a kind and supportive manner to the staff he works with and cares for.
He is dedicated to rural practices and also has a keen interest in Te Ao Māori, undertaking a personal journey to learn and be part of tikanga and kawa (protocol, or etiquette) of Te Tai Tokerau, and a commitment to supporting and advancing Māori health outcomes.
She adds she has had the privilege of working with him within rural general practice, as well as other initiatives addressing maternal health, and that Dr Jelley also worked closely with the late Janet Mahoney, the first Māori nurse practitioner.
Extensive rural career
Over the last 21 years, Dr Jelley has had an extensive career in New Zealand’s rural health sector, starting as a DHB-employed GP in Buller.
From there he and his family spent 12 years in the Bay of Plenty, before moving to the Bay of Islands, now based in Kerikeri, where he does three days a week in general practice, and two to three days of clinical leadership with Te Tai Tokerau PHO.
He has also held leadership roles with West Coast PHO, Eastern Bays Primary Health Alliance and the Bay of Plenty DHB.
Different experience
Every rural community he and his family has lived in has been special in its own way, says Dr Jelley.
“West Coast is very close to our hearts, because we were welcomed, and well looked after there, but it’s hard to compare with the utopia of sailing out into the Bay of Islands, and the Bay of Plenty for its immersion into Māori, they’ve all been completely different experiences.”
The one experience that he chooses to highlight has been the amazing opportunities New Zealand has afforded to his family.
“My kids were young children when we came here and they are now well-balanced young adults, making their way in a busy world. There is no better highlight than that.”
The award was given for Dr Jelley’s contribution to rural communities and his dedication and service to rural health for more than 40 years. It is given every year in honour of the late Peter Snow, who was an RNZCGP president and Tapanui GP committed to rural health education.
Today was round 2 treatment of Keytruda as well as chemotherapy. Another $10k "down the tube" in 15 minutes.
Which brings us to the massive gratitude and appreciation for everyone who has donated towards dad's treatment. For those who don't know, Givealittle pays out the sums raised on the 20th of each month. So next months treatment will be completely covered and it's thanks to the kindness of all of you!
Dad's latest hat modeled at his appointment today ☺️
Wonderful to read this update this morning :) Kia Kaha Grahame, Renene and family :) Best wishes, thoughts & prayers from Gary & Julia
