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Tia-Jayne's Rare Fight

  • F**k You Cancer!

      1 June 2023

    This page has served a wonderful purpose, to give Tia as much time as we possibly could, whilst hoping like hell that something would work.

    As Mum, Jo, said, we are going to "shoot straight from the hip". Tia's latest CT scan was not good. Tia's tumours have grown and chemo treatments were stopped a couple of weeks ago. There is nothing more they can do.

    It's all extraordinarily sad, confusing, and surreal.

    Tia has been asked what she wants, and her response is to hang with family and friends...and remain watching K pop wheneva she wants, of course! (Never been a materialistic girl).

    Thank you to everyone who supports Tia and her family and please keep up those positive vibes for our girl.

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    • 02/06/2023 by Lisa

      Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Keep fighting Tia-Jayne and F**k off Cancer!!!

  • An edited update from Jo (Tia's Mum)

      13 February 2023

    Hello all, Jo here.

    Tia's tumours, sadly, have grown about a cm, all of them. This was not the news we wanted. What this means is she has to start a new round of chemo (different drugs) as the last 12 rounds had to be finished in December as her body could no longer take anymore of that type of chemo. Her oncologist is running blind with her treatment, as there is "no recipe" for this GNET.

    As most know Tia's GNET is very rare, fast growing, stage 4, metastasized, incurable cancer. Our fingers and toes are crossed for yet another miracle 🙏

    We cannot thank you all enough for your love, support and kind messages. We stay strong and carry on, albeit....one hour, one day, one week.

    She is a true inspiration and precious taonga in our lives.

    Loads of love and massive appreciation ❤️ to all.

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    • 02/06/2023 by Jamie Hughes

      Your family is constantly in our thoughts and prayers and will continue to be 🙏.

      And I'm 100% with you, F***k Cancer!

  • Keeping you in the loop

      10 November 2022

    Well it has certainly been too long since I gave everyone an update on our young Tia so here I thought I had better do so.

    The great news is that there isn't much to report. This means that things are relatively stable currently, and the chemo is holding things at bay.

    The stink news is that there isn't better news.

    Tia is a trooper and getting through the chemo every few weeks. It takes a toll, and she is sick of it, but she is doing it!

    She is going to school as much as she can but, like all teens, she will be looking forward to the holiday break.

    So, that is really all for now. No news is good news!

    Keep on going Tia...we love you and your 'f**k cancer' attitude!!! xxx

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  • A wee edited update from Tia and Jo

      7 March 2022

    Hello my lovelies.

    What to say...The Keytruda immunotherapy did not work. Those "things" got bigger. So I started Chemo today. Straight into it. No stopping me!

    I am still hoping/fighting this thing.

    I love love having my big brother home for last 6 weeks. He is a breath of fresh air and still funny and goofy and kind....

    And my younger bro truly has my back, caring for me so much.

    I am still me. I don't want to be defined by my sickness (I really struggle with that). I remain truly happy bubbly TJ. We love the support. We are so blessed.

    Keep on making me laugh.

    Love, hugs and big kisses TJ.

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    • 08/03/2022 by Lisa

      NO stopping you TJ!! I love that! So awesome to hear those funny, goofy brothers of yours are still making you laugh! Keep strong you've got this!!

      Lisa xx :)

  • Plan B

      31 December 2021
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    Hi everyone

    Firstly, thank you all so very, very, much for helping us raise the much needed funds for Tia's first lot of treatment.

    After a recent small stint in hospital, which resulted in tests and scans, it has been found that unfortunately this first lot of treatment has not had the desired effect.

    With this in mind, Plan B is now in place.

    Tia has now stopped previous treatment and has moved on to immunotherapy treatment, by way of a drug called Keytruda.

    The tough thing about this treatment is that it is only funded to treat melanoma, and therefore, comes at a cost of $8,000 every 3 weeks.

    This news about the Cancer is obviously a hard blow for the family and not the outcome we had hoped for from the first lot of treatment, however positivity around a relatively new treatment is certainly something to give hope and to offer a new chance of beating this.

    Again thank you to everyone for your support so far and please help us continue to support the Rodger family by sharing this givealittle link far and wide.

    Every bit helps and we are so grateful.

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 31/12/2021 by Lisa

      ❤️Aroha nui Jo, Brett, Tia Jane and whanau!❤️ Kia kaha. You got this TJ!! X

  • A LITTLE RAY OF SUNSHINE

      30 September 2021

    Tia has had her first scan since commencing the meds she has been put on to try and help her, to see what is happening and if they are making any difference.

    We have just received the message below from her Mum, Jo.

    "Good news. We are in the stable range. Tumors have barely grown.

    Liver tumor has even faded slightly. We continue on with the drugs... and as you know Tia is responding well now, with no pain or nausea."

    ​SUCH GREAT NEWS!!!

    In other fab news, it looks like Tia's meds are going to be partly funded by Pharmac from now on...which means the monthly cost will decrease from $13K per month to $4k per month, so the money we have raised so far will keep Tia on treatment for longer! A good news day for her family!

    THANK YOU EVERYONE SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO DATE.

    This crappy journey has, for now, created a little reprieve.

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    • 30/09/2021 by Jamie Hughes

      That is fantastic news!! :)

  • Lockdown Times

      30 August 2021
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    Hi everyone.

    With the latest Covid lockdown in NZ, it has been a tough couple of weeks had by all. It's a good excuse to live in pjs.

    Tia is doing well and hoping for her next CT scan soon to see if the tumours have not grown, or even better shrunk.

    Her hair is growing in white and her eyelashes also as a side effect of the drugs...these drugs must surely be helping 🤞

    Jo (Mum)....thx immensely for the give a little funding...this will help Tia over next few months. We cannot thank you enough. Tia not quite aware of the full picture and nor do we want to burden her with it. See blows us away every minute of every hour of the day with her positive attitude and sunshine outlook on life. Definitely an earth angel. We are blessed.

    Love blessings and aroha to everyone

    Take care

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  • A little bit of 'normal'

      31 July 2021

    Hi my friends. I decided to go to school on Thursday! I walked into Miss D and announced "I am going to my classes!! I'm not letting my sickness stop me"

    I had some lovely interactions with friends and have been feeling well. I went again to school on Friday. It's my other safe place from home and its important I be around friends and peers.

    My oncologist visit went well Thursday, she believes my body is coping well with the "missile targeting" cancer drugs. Thx so much for the many ways we are getting love and support. Gorgeous gifts, little messages, I like just being treated normally. Same jokes and love from family and friends. And the give a little page is so overwhelming and humbling.

    Take care. Love and big hugs Tia xoxox

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  • Cancer Seeking Missile Drugs

      16 July 2021
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    Well, Tia is now 7 days into the 'cancer seeking missile' drugs, and it has certainly had it's challenges but, she is a trooper and has managed reasonably well considering some unpleasant moments.

    We made the most of a gorgeous winter's day and went for a small but 'grounding and invigorating' beach walk with the dogs. Tia has such an incredible spirit and even though it was hard for her to get out of the house, she relished in the sunshine and the moment.

    A big week with appointments and starting the treatment but some good moments in there too xxx

    We continue to be so overwhelmed and incredibly grateful for the support to the family so far.

    Let's keep nailing this thing and keeping the page alive by sharing Tia's Journey near and far.

    THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

      1 comment  |  Login to leave a comment

    • 16/07/2021 by Lisa

      Tia, you are such a trooper!! Your amazing spirit and beautiful smile astounds me! You got this girl!! x