Mari had her first visit at Southmead Hospital today which is where she will be having her chemotherapy. She will be starting that next Friday ( 2nd May) at 9.30 am. and will expect to be in the hospital for three hours. At this stage they are predicting a course of 12 treatments every fortnight. After the six months everything will be reassessed.
The Doctors are having a final case meeting on Thursday 1st to finalise their diagnosis etc. They are still questioning the nodes in her abdomen and the fluid around her heart. Please pray that they will agree with the Kiwi Doctors who thought the nodes were insignificant. The fluid around her heart could either be a by-product of the lymphoma or that the area is diseased. Obviously the first is preferable!
The Doctors have to spell out all the side effects and worse case scenarios so please pray that none of the worst case scenarios will occur. Mari was told that chemo can be a trigger for other cancers developing later on. They talked about the possibility of relapse, which though it is slight, it would be good to pray that never happens. Please pray too that other side effects like nausea will be controlled.
Mari has to do some wierd things in preparation for treatment including an appointment with the hospital wig lady on Monday. I ( Dave) am trying hard to hide my jealousy but it slips out at times.
Thank you for your continued support, love and prayers. We will keep the updates coming .
God bless
Much love
Dave, Rhi and Mari
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Back in England.
Just wanted to let you know that we are now safely back in Bristol.
An enormous thank you to all in NZ who sent me off with so much love and support. I can't thank you enough. I am convinced that your on-going support is every bit as beneficial as any medical treatment.
I was encouraged before I left NZ, my GP spoke with us ( she is the one who made the initial diagnosis) and commented on the "significiant shift" in prognosis. Right from the start she was working on the assumption the cancer was stage 4 so she was pretty amazed at the latest news. I'm sure this "significant shift" is a result of your love and prayers.
I am meeting with Specialists this week ( Friday, 11.30 am)so I should get a treatment plan soon. They want to start me on chemotherapy a.s.a.p (and possibly radiotherapy at a later stage). The treatment sounds very unpleasant, it is a daunting prospect. We will keep updating this blog.
Again my love and thanks to you all for your messages, prayers and kindness. God bless,
Mari xx
An enormous thank you to all in NZ who sent me off with so much love and support. I can't thank you enough. I am convinced that your on-going support is every bit as beneficial as any medical treatment.
I was encouraged before I left NZ, my GP spoke with us ( she is the one who made the initial diagnosis) and commented on the "significiant shift" in prognosis. Right from the start she was working on the assumption the cancer was stage 4 so she was pretty amazed at the latest news. I'm sure this "significant shift" is a result of your love and prayers.
I am meeting with Specialists this week ( Friday, 11.30 am)so I should get a treatment plan soon. They want to start me on chemotherapy a.s.a.p (and possibly radiotherapy at a later stage). The treatment sounds very unpleasant, it is a daunting prospect. We will keep updating this blog.
Again my love and thanks to you all for your messages, prayers and kindness. God bless,
Mari xx
Friday, April 18, 2008
Saying goodbye to Mari...
Mari is leaving our shores on Sunday. If you would like to say good'bye... her friends are farewelling her at the airport at 4pm. We'll be meeting at the cafe overlooking the carpark on the 2nd floor (Auckland International Airport).
See you there!
-Erin
See you there!
-Erin
Thursday, April 17, 2008
More answers to prayer!
Today we met with the specialists and finally got the bone marrow results back. Thank God the cancer has not spread to the bone marrow which is fantastic news (especially as the Dr's had led us to believe this was likely to be the case all along). We really believe this is an answer to prayer.
A HUGE thank you for your prayers, we feel they have "turned the tide" and we have all been so deeply encouraged by them.
It is looking likely now that the cancer is stage 2 and Mari still needs to begin chemo a.s.a.p, she leaves NZ on sunday afternoon to begin treatment in England.
There is more good news and answer to prayers... We now have all the medical samples ready to bring back to the UK with us!Also, Immigration have waived the red tape and given Mari permanent residency which will enable her to return freely to NZ.
Thank you God and thank you friends for standing with us at this vulnerable time - we can't thank you enough. There is still a battle ahead so please keep standing with us in prayer until Mari gets the all clear!
Love Dave, Rhi, Phil and Mari x
A HUGE thank you for your prayers, we feel they have "turned the tide" and we have all been so deeply encouraged by them.
It is looking likely now that the cancer is stage 2 and Mari still needs to begin chemo a.s.a.p, she leaves NZ on sunday afternoon to begin treatment in England.
There is more good news and answer to prayers... We now have all the medical samples ready to bring back to the UK with us!Also, Immigration have waived the red tape and given Mari permanent residency which will enable her to return freely to NZ.
Thank you God and thank you friends for standing with us at this vulnerable time - we can't thank you enough. There is still a battle ahead so please keep standing with us in prayer until Mari gets the all clear!
Love Dave, Rhi, Phil and Mari x
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Prayer requests
Mari is flying out with Dave and Rhi on Sunday night and will arrive in Bristol on Monday afternoon. Before she leaves there are some things that need to fall into place. We would appreciate your prayers.
We need to obtain all of the relevent medical reports and samples from the Drs here to take with us for the Drs in Bristol. This will save the procedures having to be repeated in the UK (we still need the results of the final bone marrow test.)
We will need clearance from the airlines to carry these with us as hand luggage.
We need good communication between NZ and the UK to ensure there is no delay in starting chemotherapy. Although the consultant here has made recommendations r.e the course of treatment, the team of specialists in the UK will have to come to their own decision after their discussions. Please pray that there will be no delays.
Timing is crucial and quite complex.
Also, in order for Mari to maintain her residency in New Zealand, she should remain here until 21st April. We fly out on 20th and are hoping that the Immigration Authorities will have grace to allow her residency to stand.
We can't begin to thank you all for the amazing love and support we have experienced each day. We have felt carried by your prayers.
Chemotherapy is a daunting prospect for Mari so please keep praying. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Dave, Rhi, Phil and Mari xx
We need to obtain all of the relevent medical reports and samples from the Drs here to take with us for the Drs in Bristol. This will save the procedures having to be repeated in the UK (we still need the results of the final bone marrow test.)
We will need clearance from the airlines to carry these with us as hand luggage.
We need good communication between NZ and the UK to ensure there is no delay in starting chemotherapy. Although the consultant here has made recommendations r.e the course of treatment, the team of specialists in the UK will have to come to their own decision after their discussions. Please pray that there will be no delays.
Timing is crucial and quite complex.
Also, in order for Mari to maintain her residency in New Zealand, she should remain here until 21st April. We fly out on 20th and are hoping that the Immigration Authorities will have grace to allow her residency to stand.
We can't begin to thank you all for the amazing love and support we have experienced each day. We have felt carried by your prayers.
Chemotherapy is a daunting prospect for Mari so please keep praying. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
Dave, Rhi, Phil and Mari xx
Monday, April 14, 2008
Answers to prayer
Today was more encouraging than we thought. There were initially a couple of frustrations, the Drs had not had a case conference and the results from the main Bone Marrow biopsy were not through, however:
The mass in Mari's lung has shrunk due to the steroids ( and prayer) so she will able to fly home hopefully at the end of the week. Her blood levels are just below normal which is good for her condition and made the Drs think the cancer has not reached the marrow, they will know for certain on Thurs. The Dr was concerned last week that it had spread to Mari's stomach, today she ( and the consultant) said she felt it was insignificant.... The unanswered question concerns the fluid in Maris lung, it may be a result of the pressure due to the mass or it could be that the cancer has spread a bit, if it has spread, it would make it grade 4 if not, they are thinking it might only be grade 2, we had been lead to think all the way through that it was Grade 4
We will go back on Thurs and pick up all the results and information that we need for Bristol and look to fly out at the end of the week, it is school holidays so the flights are quite full so please pray we can get some seats.
Mari was relieved after the appointment, she knows she still has a battle but the Dr was positive and optimistic, even though he had to give worse case scenarios!!
Thanks so much for all your love , support and prayer, we will let you know when we have booked tickets etc...Once again the messages you have left for Mari on the blog give her renewed strength, she reads them first thing every morning and is so thankful for your prayers.
God bless
Lots of love
Dave, Rhi and Mari
The mass in Mari's lung has shrunk due to the steroids ( and prayer) so she will able to fly home hopefully at the end of the week. Her blood levels are just below normal which is good for her condition and made the Drs think the cancer has not reached the marrow, they will know for certain on Thurs. The Dr was concerned last week that it had spread to Mari's stomach, today she ( and the consultant) said she felt it was insignificant.... The unanswered question concerns the fluid in Maris lung, it may be a result of the pressure due to the mass or it could be that the cancer has spread a bit, if it has spread, it would make it grade 4 if not, they are thinking it might only be grade 2, we had been lead to think all the way through that it was Grade 4
We will go back on Thurs and pick up all the results and information that we need for Bristol and look to fly out at the end of the week, it is school holidays so the flights are quite full so please pray we can get some seats.
Mari was relieved after the appointment, she knows she still has a battle but the Dr was positive and optimistic, even though he had to give worse case scenarios!!
Thanks so much for all your love , support and prayer, we will let you know when we have booked tickets etc...Once again the messages you have left for Mari on the blog give her renewed strength, she reads them first thing every morning and is so thankful for your prayers.
God bless
Lots of love
Dave, Rhi and Mari
Monday 14th
Today is an important day for Mari, she has to be at the Hospital for 2.00 pm for an X-Ray. This will determine whether the steroids have shrunk the mass on her lung which would be important for flying back. She then meets with a specialist at 3.00 to hear the findings of the case conference this morning. We hope that all the results from the Bone marrow biopsy will have been processed. This should clarify the extent and grage of the Hodgkins, the recommended course of treatment and we can make decisions about flying back to the UK. She is also seeing a specialist at 10.30 tomorrow morning ( Tues) for further discussions.
Mari is doing very well but the appointment this afternoon is looming large as it is so important.
She continues to be thrilled to get so many blog postings. She was up at 6.00 am this morning reading them. Thanks to all who have been in touch.
Rhi and I are so grateful to all those who are standing with Mari and supporting her at this time.
God bless
With love
Dave
Mari is doing very well but the appointment this afternoon is looming large as it is so important.
She continues to be thrilled to get so many blog postings. She was up at 6.00 am this morning reading them. Thanks to all who have been in touch.
Rhi and I are so grateful to all those who are standing with Mari and supporting her at this time.
God bless
With love
Dave
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Today's Procedures...
It's a huge relief to get today over. Mari had to have the procedures under sedation as it is still too risky for her to have a general anaesthetic. The first procedure wasn't too bad, but the other - removing bone marrow - was extremely painful and had to be done three times altogether. Eventually enough samples were obtained but it was an ordeal. She is home now recovering and feeling sore. Rhi was able to stay with her throughout.
The staff assured Mari she would sleep after and forget everything - but not so...she didn't sleep til later in the afternoon and can remember everything! One really good thing did happen tho...while in recovery Rhi was calling out to God to send help when two people entered the ward. Rhi told them that Mari was in a lot of pain. Mari had the curtains drawn around her bed and Rhi saw thro a gap the woman lifing her hands and praying in Mari's direction against the pain. Mari heard her praying and immediately felt some relief....Thanks to Gloria - if you're reading this for being there at that very moment and for reaching out to our Heavenly Father for Mari.
-Rhi
The staff assured Mari she would sleep after and forget everything - but not so...she didn't sleep til later in the afternoon and can remember everything! One really good thing did happen tho...while in recovery Rhi was calling out to God to send help when two people entered the ward. Rhi told them that Mari was in a lot of pain. Mari had the curtains drawn around her bed and Rhi saw thro a gap the woman lifing her hands and praying in Mari's direction against the pain. Mari heard her praying and immediately felt some relief....Thanks to Gloria - if you're reading this for being there at that very moment and for reaching out to our Heavenly Father for Mari.
-Rhi
Biopsy Today
Today Mari is having two biopsies, which will help determine how advanced the cancer is and what grade it is etc.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Update from today's appointment...
Today Mari's appointment with specialists brought some sobering news. There are 4 grades of Hodgkin's Disease and Mari was warned that her condition is quite advanced... at least grade 3. On Thursday doctors will be doing two tests with the bone marrow biopsy which will clarify which grade she has.
Mari was also told today that they have found some small growths in her stomach. (this was very unexpected)
Doctors want to begin treatments asap -chemo & radiation. Tomorrow she will begin taking steroids to shrink the nodes in her chest.
There is a team of specialists that will be meeting on Monday morning and they are planning to discuss Mari's case. (This team is looking over a number of cases that morning. PLEASE PRAY that they have time to discuss Mari's case in depth). It is this team of specialists that will decide what form of chemo Mari will need to undergo.
Also on Monday Mari will be having x-rays of her chest - the outcome of this x-ray will help determine when she will be able to fly to the UK. And at 3pm on Monday she will receive the initial results of the bone marrow biopsy which will help to confirm what grade she has.
This is quite a lot of hard news for everyone to digest. Thank you for praying.
Mari was also told today that they have found some small growths in her stomach. (this was very unexpected)
Doctors want to begin treatments asap -chemo & radiation. Tomorrow she will begin taking steroids to shrink the nodes in her chest.
There is a team of specialists that will be meeting on Monday morning and they are planning to discuss Mari's case. (This team is looking over a number of cases that morning. PLEASE PRAY that they have time to discuss Mari's case in depth). It is this team of specialists that will decide what form of chemo Mari will need to undergo.
Also on Monday Mari will be having x-rays of her chest - the outcome of this x-ray will help determine when she will be able to fly to the UK. And at 3pm on Monday she will receive the initial results of the bone marrow biopsy which will help to confirm what grade she has.
This is quite a lot of hard news for everyone to digest. Thank you for praying.
Meeting with Specialists...
Today Mari is meeting with specialists at the Haematology Clinic at 1:45 pm
Monday, April 7, 2008
Message from Mari...
This week ahead is an important week: a meeting with specialists tomorrow. Time to hear about treatment, details of it etc.... Also a bone marrow biopsy on Thursday which will give more info regarding how advanced the cancer is and what grade it is etc. I am a bit worried about the proceedure because it sounds yuck!
We should know more after these tests about when we can get back to England as well as treatment plans.
Thank you, thank you everyone for all your prayers - I am so grateful, it has given me so much strength to face each week, and to face a big battle ahead of me.
-Mari
We should know more after these tests about when we can get back to England as well as treatment plans.
Thank you, thank you everyone for all your prayers - I am so grateful, it has given me so much strength to face each week, and to face a big battle ahead of me.
-Mari
Friday, April 4, 2008
Diagnosis
Mari's Diagnosis has been confirmed today as "Lymphoma - Hodgkin's Disease".
The next step is to determine what stage of Hodgkin's Disease she has so that she can begin treatment in England.
Mari's next doctor's appointments are next Tuesday 8th at the Haematology Clinic 1:45 pm and then Thursday 10th April 9am for a bone marrow biopsy.
Mari is relieved to have a diagnosis finally and to hear that it is Hodgkin's Disease and not something worse... it's the best of a bad bunch! Thank you God!
The next step is to determine what stage of Hodgkin's Disease she has so that she can begin treatment in England.
Mari's next doctor's appointments are next Tuesday 8th at the Haematology Clinic 1:45 pm and then Thursday 10th April 9am for a bone marrow biopsy.
Mari is relieved to have a diagnosis finally and to hear that it is Hodgkin's Disease and not something worse... it's the best of a bad bunch! Thank you God!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
No big news...
Mari is out of the hospital - resting and waiting for news from the doctors. It could take a week to hear the results from the surgery.
Please pray that Mari will be able to sleep well. Night time is always the hardest time - and sleep can be difficult.
Good News! - Mari's dad, Dave, arrives in New Zealand on Sunday morning.
Please pray that Mari will be able to sleep well. Night time is always the hardest time - and sleep can be difficult.
Good News! - Mari's dad, Dave, arrives in New Zealand on Sunday morning.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Surgery went well
Mari's surgery went well this morning. At the last minute they decided to give a local anaesthetic instead of a general... which was good news. Surgeons removed a node from the right side of her neck for testing. Doctors are hoping to be able to give Mari the results by tomorrow, but if there wasn't a clear indication it will take a week for a clear diagnosis. The presence of God in Mari's room has been really wonderful. She will look at the results of her CT scan with doctors today and then will leave the hospital sometime this afternoon.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
google accounts
We've changed the admin email address & password that some of you have been using to leave some comments. Sorry for the hassle, but you'll now need your own google account to leave comments. To get a google account click here
Strategy for Prayer...
There are times when God gives a specific strategy or way ahead for prayer that is, a way in which God wants us to pray...in that
situation He releases a word of faith...I believe that we were given that tonight.
We are to pray specifically towards REMINDING God about Mari and her destiny, particularly regarding her call here in the nation of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Like the widow beseeching the unjust judge (Luke 18) we are to be specific in our prayers beseeching God to allow her destiny to be fulfilled in our time. Remind Him day and night that her destiny has NOT yet been fulfilled, that the call He gave her in Rhi's womb has NOT yet fully come to pass
Luke 18.8 When the Son of Man comes will he find faith in the earth....
-Cindy Ruakere
situation He releases a word of faith...I believe that we were given that tonight.
We are to pray specifically towards REMINDING God about Mari and her destiny, particularly regarding her call here in the nation of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Like the widow beseeching the unjust judge (Luke 18) we are to be specific in our prayers beseeching God to allow her destiny to be fulfilled in our time. Remind Him day and night that her destiny has NOT yet been fulfilled, that the call He gave her in Rhi's womb has NOT yet fully come to pass
Luke 18.8 When the Son of Man comes will he find faith in the earth....
-Cindy Ruakere
Prayer idea...
Some of Mari's friends are printing off Mari's photo (from this site) and are putting it somewhere to remind them of her - so that each time they see her they pray for her. It's great to see her smiling face and to pray.
The Waiting Game...
Mari moved back into the hospital yesterday and is waiting for surgery. She is booked for surgery tomorrow, but hasn't been given a scheduled time yet. Nothing is guaranteed and doctors have told her to just keep her fingers crossed. After surgery it will take 6 days to get the results and then after that they will be doing further tests to determine the possible grade and stage of cancer she has.
The team of doctors that were working on Mari's case are now in Australia for a conference so she has a new team of doctors. There is still no confirmed diagnosis, but doctors are still saying everything points to Lymphoma.
The CT scan results were inconclusive, but were consistent with Lymphoma.
Mari has a nice room, but they found out today that she could be moved at anytime. Apparently she is in the room she has because of some unknown angel named "Ben" who was able to pull some strings. If anyone knows this Ben please bribe him with chocolates. :-)
Mari was a bit breathless yesterday for the first time and she was up last night with a lot of pain in her left shoulder. Doctors say her shoulder is swollen because of soft tissue that was destroyed during the biopsy and from some of the lumps she has which are putting pressure on arteries.
Phil (Mari's WONDERFUL boyfriend) is planning on moving to the UK to be with Mari. Please pray for a smooth transition for him. He needs to sell his car, move out of his flat and get a UK work visa.
Mari's blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels have all been very good.
Prayer Points:
That the new team of doctors would be attentive to Mari's needs
For surgery to happen (and go smoothly) on Wednesday
That Mari would be able to stay in the room she's in
For speedy test results
For the swelling and pain in her left shoulder
That Phil would be able to get his UK work visa easily
That Mari's mind, heart and body would be filled with perfect peace
The team of doctors that were working on Mari's case are now in Australia for a conference so she has a new team of doctors. There is still no confirmed diagnosis, but doctors are still saying everything points to Lymphoma.
The CT scan results were inconclusive, but were consistent with Lymphoma.
Mari has a nice room, but they found out today that she could be moved at anytime. Apparently she is in the room she has because of some unknown angel named "Ben" who was able to pull some strings. If anyone knows this Ben please bribe him with chocolates. :-)
Mari was a bit breathless yesterday for the first time and she was up last night with a lot of pain in her left shoulder. Doctors say her shoulder is swollen because of soft tissue that was destroyed during the biopsy and from some of the lumps she has which are putting pressure on arteries.
Phil (Mari's WONDERFUL boyfriend) is planning on moving to the UK to be with Mari. Please pray for a smooth transition for him. He needs to sell his car, move out of his flat and get a UK work visa.
Mari's blood pressure, temperature and oxygen levels have all been very good.
Prayer Points:
That the new team of doctors would be attentive to Mari's needs
For surgery to happen (and go smoothly) on Wednesday
That Mari would be able to stay in the room she's in
For speedy test results
For the swelling and pain in her left shoulder
That Phil would be able to get his UK work visa easily
That Mari's mind, heart and body would be filled with perfect peace
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