Help Rob and Lois as they face metastatic cancer’s challenges together. Your support brings hope and makes a difference for their family.
Ashhurst, Manawatu-Wanganui
Introduction:
My wife Lois is the strongest, most loving person I know, but she is now battling metastatic cancer that has turned our lives upside down.
Our Story:
On December 21, 2024, Lois’ health took a sudden turn. Chest infections escalated into extreme migraines and nausea, leaving her unable to retain food or liquids. After 30 hours, I called an ambulance. At the hospital, Lois was diagnosed with metastatic adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer originating in her breast that has spread to her bones, liver, brain, and spinal cord.
This has devastated our family, especially our two children, who are struggling to understand what it means for their mum. Despite countless tests, hospital stays, and debilitating symptoms, Lois continues to fight. However, this illness has brought challenges we cannot face alone.
Why We Need Your Help:
While New Zealand’s healthcare system covers much, many costs remain:
Specialist appointments and treatments.
Travel and accommodation for hospital visits.
Non-subsidised medications and therapies such as Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Keytruda, IV Vitamin C and similar options.
Unemployed since July 2024, I’ve paused my job search to care for Lois and our children, Amy and Sam. Your generosity allow us to focus on Lois’ care and creating precious memories.
What Your Support Means:
Every contribution makes a difference. Your help provides Lois with the best care possible and gives us hope during this difficult time. Truely, thank you for standing with us.
Donations will cover medical costs (Trastuzumab (Herceptin), Keytruda, IV Vitamin C and similar options), travel, accommodation, and family expenses during Lois' care, and as she recovers.
One step at a time... 13 January 2025
Slow but steady improvement noted over the weekend. Possibly due to steroids to knock down some of the swelling in the brain. Lois had her first radiation assessment this morning; will be having her first actual treatment tomorrow (Tuesday NZ time).
In the meantime, she suffered a mild mishap, slipping and acquiring a hairline fracture to the either the left clavicle or the rib directly beneath it. No displacement, and not a lot of discomfort (thanks to the morphine she is being given to deal with the disease' pain and discomfort). I told her 'typical; she's always an overachiever' in this respect. Got a grin out of her at least.
She is able to converse with the kids too, although sometimes she drifts a little and can lose the thread...but all in all, she is making some progress.
That gives me a some hope if nothing else...as I've said to some of you, I'd take it on my own shoulders in a heartbeat if I could...but I can't. And thats so gutting...no-one likes to see a loved one suffering. And to reflect that she is dear to so many of you as well...
Well, that just gives me a bit more determination that we ARE going to beat this bloody thing. It might be a forlorn hope, but I will be driving for positivity with all I have to give...and then that little bit more.
Sorry. Got a bit carried away there.
At least I can leave you guys with this; she is improving a little...and that is the first step on the 1000 mile journey.
Arohanui
Rob, Sam, and Amy
Thank you, on behalf of all four of us.
Thank you mate. And yep, burning up those lines 24/7
Thank you Allan. Deeply appreciated.
Thank you Kevin. Very gratefully received.
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