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Tina Cullen's Stage 4 Cancer Journey

  • Update on first Avastin infusion.

      13 December 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    Bit hard to judge how the Avastin infusion has affected me. Mostly due to me needing another blood transfusion last Tuesday, which naturally gives you a boost.

    Overall, it seems to be my usual chemo side-effects have heightened just a little.

    Quite bloated, constipation (new side effect), diarrhoea, tiredness. So im pleased to say all in all I haven't had any major effects to deal with...... long may this continue.

    I am taking a break from treatment over Xmas/New Year so I can focus and enjoy this time with my family and friends.

    My next Avastin and chemo is on Friday 3rd Jan, with a CT scan all booked for Wed 15th Jan to see if the Avastin is working.

    To everyone who has reached into their pockets to help, we know this is a hard time of year.

    Bruce, Baylee and I will never be able to thank you all enough.

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  • Avastin Update (Unfunded drug)

      29 November 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen
    Main image

    With the help of this Give-A-Little page, we have decided to give Avastin a go, alongside my triple chemo treatment.

    I am booked in to have my first infusion on Friday 6th Dec at 8am which will take 2 hrs. I then go straight to Auckland Hospital to do my 5 hrs of chemo. The Avastin infusion is $6k, as is the second infusion on the 3rd of January. They then drop to $5k per infusion, which we cannot afford.

    My scan in mid-Jan should show if this combined targeted therapy is working.

    Avastin could give me an extra 6 months with my family and friends. It doesn't sound like much tume, but to me, it's a lifetime with Baylee and Bruce.

    I thank every one of you for helping to make this a possibility.

    Love Tina, Bruce and Baylee xx

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  • CT Scan update.

      18 November 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    Met with my oncologist today and with everything pointing to a negative result, we got good news!!

    Chemo is currently working much to my surprise. Some lesions on my liver have shrunk, my colon tumours have reduced slightly too.

    Doc can't explain why my tumour markers in my bloods are going upand down and had assumed chemo wasn't working also.

    This CT revealed I had a bit of cancer in my lower left pelvis bone, the chemo has treated it and calcified it which is why it is now showing on the CT.

    We are now looking at adding Avastin (unfunded immunotherapy drug) to the mix. Need to start that sooner rather than later as chemo on my cancer doesn't work for long. So enquiries with my oncology nurse will begin on Thursday f we getcthe go ahead, the Give-A-Little will be going towards this treatment, so a huge thank you to all, without this, we would not be able to afford it.

    Stoked to know I will have xmas with my family. Just a huge relief.

    Next CT scan is looking to be mid January ❤️💜💙🙌 Whoop whoop!!

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    • 25/11/2024 by Michelle

      Wonderful news and what a beautiful surprise after expecting a bad result. Sending you much aroha and strength as you look forward to celebrating Christmas with your whanau.

  • 12 Week CT Scan Day

      12 November 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen
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    So today I had my 12 week CT scan to ascertain if chemo is working or not.

    There is a delay with reporting but we should receive the results on Monday when we meet with my oncologist again.

    I'm terrified, as my recent blood tests indicate tumour growth, however this can be affected by chemo and other factors apparently ....

    Bruce, Baylee and I still cant thank you all enough for all of your support.

    We will keep you posted once we receive the CT scan results xxxx

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    • 14/11/2024 by Sheila

      Thinking of you, Tina, sending positive thoughts.

      Love to you Bruce and Baylee xx

  • Change of plan

      21 October 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    After meeting with my oncologist today, they have decided it's time to book my CT scan to see if chemo is working or not. I have been dreading this. They are hoping to book the scan the week of the 11th of November so I can get another two rounds done.

    This means no portacath insertion until we know the result. They are doing the best by me, to avoid another procedure that may not be needed if treatment is not working.

    All I ask is for a positive scan result.

    Thank you all once again for your messages and support. Means so much.

    Tina

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    • 21/10/2024 by Michelle

      Thinking of you Tina on your journey and I know your CT scan will have a positive result and give you the strength and energy for the next rounds to come. Michelle

    • 24/10/2024 by Sheila

      Thinking of you always Tina.

      With lots of love and positive thoughts.

      You're an amazing woman, that has never changed .

      Sending much love and big big Hugs.

      Sheila xx

  • Positive end to Round 4

      21 October 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    In the end the oncologists did reduce 2 out of 3 chemos as it was impacting my already struggling liver too much.

    What a difference. This is manageable!! I had one very rough day and bounced back over the next two days. Less side effects too!!

    I had hoped to work a few hours this week, but again this week is full of appointments. So far I have not managed to work at all since my treatment started. (I have a great boss who has been incredibly supportive!)

    Great news though, i am finally getting a portacath inserted into my chest on Wednesday for chemo treatments instead of having the picc line in my arm. This will remove a fortnightly Sunday appointment with the district nurse for dressing changes. Winning.

    Emotionally I'm all over the show which is to be expected. I have a great councilor but it's something else when you are trying to accept and prepare for inevitable. The effect on my family is impossible to describe but like me they are being so brave and putting a smile on their face for me.

    I have round 5 of chemo this Friday and hope to go out for a nice lunch with my family on Sunday.

    Have a great long weekend.

    Tina

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  • Prepping for Round 4 of chemo

      9 October 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    Ive quickly learnt that there is no predicting how things will be from one-day to the next.

    Due to my bowel obstruction, round 3 of chemo was reduced from 3 chemos to 2. What a difference!! I have managed to life live the past two weeks, this in my terms means going out for a cup of tea or lunch. Having energy to have people visit. Short walks around home, and I cant wait to take Baylee to the movies tomorrow. Truthfully, my mum is dropping us off and picking us up, as I am not able to drive too far.

    My bloods are all over the show, in particular my liver, so my chemos are currently under review as they may have been giving me too much and the liver is impacted by two of the chemos. It is quite the science to work out chemo quantities. I will find out on Friday when I turn up what I will be getting. I'm praying for a similar outcome as round 3, so I can continue to do things and hopefully get to work a couple of days.

    Thank you all once again for your continued support.

    Still numerous appointments each week, which is making getting back to work to part time difficult.

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  • Discharged from hospital

      23 September 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    After 8 days in hospital, the stent is doing its job and everything is working as it should.

    I am home now and need to learn a new diet to prevent the stent from blocking.

    All of this on top of trying to learn how to manage triple chemo.

    I feel like I am back to square one and haven't found my rhythm yet with chemo, more importantly when my 'good days' are. This is affecting everything, including work, I havent worked at all this month.

    Once again, thank you for all your support.

    It's so appreciated xxx

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  • Hospital admission

      17 September 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen

    After two days of abdominal pain, I was admitted to hospital on Sunday with a complete bowel obstruction due to one of my tumours.

    Luckily, yesterday I was fasttracked to have a stent inserted into my Colon to relieve the obstruction. This has been successful.

    This whole journey started so fast and feels relentless and has been very difficult for myself and my family to navigate.

    I appreciate every well wish and support from everyone. It is very humbling.

    Love Tina, Bruce and Baylee

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  • Round 2, Day 6

      11 September 2024
    Posted by: Tina Cullen
    Main image

    Firstly, Bruce, Baylee and I have so many of you to thank for your messages and support. It's continues to be an overwhelming time that is impossible to describe. Each day is very much up and down as we navigate this new normal with constantly moving goalposts!!

    But we will couldn't do this without your help, so thank you, thank you so much ❤️

    Wee Update.

    Round 2, Day 6. So far doing much better than my first round of chemo .... touch wood this continues. What a bloody learning curve that was 🤯 with a hospital visit thrown in, but all turned out ok.

    Managing 3 different chemos all with different side effects is the most difficult to work through.

    Walked my girl to the bus stop this morning and now having a rest ❤️ Taking the small wins 👊

    MY new look is sunnies, hat (loosing my hair now) and scarf to stop cold air going in my throat thanks to one of my chemos

    Will update again soon xx

    Love Tbird, Bruce and Baylee

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    • 11/09/2024 by Sheila

      Sending lots of love

      KIA KAHA

      Sheila xx

  • Thank you

      8 September 2024

    Just a quick note to say WOW and a massive HEARTFELT THANK YOU soo much for all your kind words, donations and messages. We are all very humbled by it all and will update in the coming days xx

    Thanks again xx

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