Sunday 14 October, 2012
Emily is much the same but the gradual decline is evident. Em now has swollen puffy legs due to her liver and/or heart beginning to fail. The legs are swollen due to the fluids in her body pooling to her peripheries to take the pressure off vital organs. She is still passing the occasional fresh blood clot from her nose and her right eye is bloodshot. She is not in pain thankfully as this is being well managed. Those who haven’t seen Em for a while would be quite shocked I’m imagining. Sorry if this is too graphic but it is the reality of the situation.
Em is more tired and irritable than usual and finds the changes in her body upsetting. It is like she has the mind of a nine year old in the body of a 90 year old. I have told her it is due to the neuroblastoma.
Needless to say, juggling Emily’s emotional needs and medications, feeding a baby and managing two preschoolers and a busy seven year old is proving to be the busiest and most stressful time of our lives. It was our choice to have five kids but not our choice to have cancer invade our lives. We will just have to keep on keeping on and make these last weeks (our gut feeling is weeks) as nice as possible for Emily and the other kids I guess.
Thanks again to those who help with the middle three kids so Gary and I can concentrate on Emily and Alex.
Kath and Gary
Kim Astall
October 16, 2012 @ 1:45 pm
Spending just a short while with you Kath and Gary, Emily and Alex, I was reminded of how fast the last 9 years have sped by.
During these quiet, painful (for you) times, fill your hearts with the beautiful memories you have of Emily and your family as it has grown. Nobody knows the direction our journey through life will take and only a few are lucky enough to meet such strong parents and lovely people as you are. Roll on the rose oil and breathe the sweetness, relax and love.
XXxxxxx
Lyndy Prendergast
October 16, 2012 @ 11:09 am
Hey guys
I have read and read over this blog and like others have shed lots of tears!! I just don’t know what to say i only wish all the love and kind words from everyone could make things better for you guys! You Woodins are SOOOOOO truely amazing, thinking of you all the time, enjoy all the precious moments oxoxoxox
The Prendergasts
Helen and Irene
October 16, 2012 @ 8:43 am
Hi Kath and Gary, A warm welcome to Alex and just to let you know that you are often in our thoughts. It is lovely for Emily to have time with Alex. What a horrible journey you are all going through and we are amazed at the stength and courage that you have all demonstrated. Lots of love to you all Helen and Irene.
Lusia
October 16, 2012 @ 7:54 am
I’ve been trying to think of the right words – but as you know there are none. Just know my love and strength are always with you. Just hold her, love her, touch her, talk to her, be with her, tell her all the things you need her to know xxxxx
~Tanishas Mum~
Duncan & Sarah
October 16, 2012 @ 12:41 am
We’re thinking of you everyday, you guys are doing an incredible job in an extremely difficult situation. We find two healthy kids a relentless task!
All our thoughts and love.
Angela doyle
October 15, 2012 @ 11:12 pm
Our hearts go out to you all at what is proving to be such a challenging and painful journey. Your courage throughout this battle has been nothing less than inspirational. Emily should not have to endure any of this, nobody should, but she has presented as such a fine little lady, displaying such dignity. Talk about an old head on young shoulders. :-) We are sending you all our sincerest prayers, from our family to yours. Stay strong …The Doyle Family. Xxx
Kirsty Bush
October 15, 2012 @ 10:32 pm
That’s so so sad to read. Both of us in tears…poor Em. Sending you much love and strength for the weeks ahead. Kia kaha xx
Michaela
October 15, 2012 @ 9:58 pm
I know Em will still be chattering away and you will be making the most of and enjoying all her wisdom beyond her years.
Lots of love and hugs to you all. xx
KATHY
October 15, 2012 @ 9:55 pm
Oh Katherine…..gutted to read this latest blog.
Glad she suffers no pain now, thats something and at least shes at home not in the clinicl hospital.
In case someone forgets to say thanks Katherine and Gary I am. You are everything to wee Emily and I know in my heart shes so glad to be home right now, she will gain great peace from that.
You both have your hands full let one bounce off the other to get your rest for what lies ahead.
If you could pass on a huge HUG to Emily from me
for that I would be grateful.
Sad…….so very sad.
Love The Kesselers XXXX
Telly & Cameron Power
October 15, 2012 @ 9:23 pm
Just breaks my heart to hear Emily’s health is getting worse and send all my love, wishes and prayers to all of you at this time. You are such a tower of strength Kath xoxo
Jenna Brown
October 15, 2012 @ 8:25 pm
Thinking of you all and sending my love and prayers. Xxx
Rachel lowther
October 15, 2012 @ 1:08 pm
Hi Kath, Gary and family. I think of you guys every day and often check Emily’s blog to see how she is doing. It is absolutely heartbreaking to read this, I really feel for you guys. I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through, to deal with the imminent loss of a child can only be the most devastating thing that could ever happen to any parent, you really are true legends to be dealing with this, a new baby, and three other children. You are a gorgeous family that only deserve the very very best in life. My thoughts are with you all x
Sarah Harris
October 15, 2012 @ 11:44 am
As you go through what no family should EVER have to, you are often on my mind and my heart aches for what your incredible daughter is going through.
xox
Rebecca Stevenson
October 15, 2012 @ 11:33 am
We don’t know each other, but we are lucky enough to know Leona (my children go to Tuahiwi School).
I can’t even begin to imagine what you are going through, enjoying the wonderful addition of your new wee boy, but having your beautiful oldest daugher Emily being so unwell. I think of you all often and am so amazed at your strength and courage and sense that has been passed on to Emily. Kia kaha.
Casey Sinclair
October 15, 2012 @ 10:16 am
My heart is with you guys xxx
Margaret Mahon
October 15, 2012 @ 10:05 am
Kath & Gary & all your families. I can only echo the feelings expressed by so many of your friends and families. Words never seem enough but our thoughts and our love are always with you all in this battle you so do not deserve. The strength,support and love amongst you all is nothing short of truly amazing.
Natasha
October 15, 2012 @ 12:31 am
Love you xx
Steve & Tania Graham
October 14, 2012 @ 11:06 pm
So sad to hear Em,s not doing so well. Our thought,s and prayers are with you guy,s.
All our Love Steve & Tania
Melissa Curry
October 14, 2012 @ 10:42 pm
Thinking of you, so often, and praying that you find the strength you need to get through the weeks ahead.
Much, much love from Melissa, Blair and Imogen xxxooo
Chrissie Wooddin
October 14, 2012 @ 9:28 pm
Having Em stay with us this weekend was precious, thanks TJ and Gary for letting it happen, something I really wasn’t expecting.
It was heartwarming to see Em and Nutty having a really good laugh after sharing a funny, but then not so good to see how tired she became afterwards :(
It saddened me to watch how Ems health changed so rapidly within two days, she is just a beautiful wee girl and I love her to bits, as I do all my babies !!
As you know I’m with you all every step of the way
love aunty x x
Miranda
October 14, 2012 @ 9:16 pm
Thinking of you all, sending hugs your way x
The Blacks
October 14, 2012 @ 9:11 pm
Kath & Garry
You know I am not big on the emotional side if things, however, my beliefs and opinions on things make me so strong in other ways, please if there is anything I can do, you know I am there for you, what more can I say, love to you all xxx
Rachael Morris
October 14, 2012 @ 9:03 pm
With so much love and prayers to your family
The Morris/Greig’s
jo knighton and family
October 14, 2012 @ 8:50 pm
hugs and kisses….there are no words. xxoxoxo
jo, troy, geena, katie and jimmy knighton
Julia
October 14, 2012 @ 8:35 pm
What can we say. I sit here with tears in my eyes and ache in my heart for what you are going through. I can’t even begin to imagine what are going through. Love to you all!
Annalise Olsen
October 14, 2012 @ 8:27 pm
Thinking of you kath -and your beautiful family, today and everyday with love xxx
Vic Steffens
October 14, 2012 @ 8:22 pm
Thinking of you guys lots. Praying for yau all xx
Maloneys
October 14, 2012 @ 8:00 pm
Hey guys, thinking of you as always. Let me know if you need me to help with anything, Jack especially – he can come and play or I can take him to Keas and to school …. I can’t imagine how difficult this is for you all …. from Bridget and the rest of the Maloneys.
Kate Gardner
October 14, 2012 @ 7:25 pm
Its just not fair… Lotsa love Kate xxx
Kylie Campion
October 14, 2012 @ 7:19 pm
XOXOXOXOXO Thinking of you so much right now, Stay strong Emily, your such an inspiration to all, to go through what you have and no doubt you still manage to give a smile to all and especially little Alex.
Kath & Gary, Hang in there through these super tough times, we are all so proud of all the decisions you have made through Emilys treatment and how well you hold that poker face when it must be the hardest thing to do. I wish there was something i could say or do to make things change. XOXO
Ness & Jake
October 14, 2012 @ 6:46 pm
always thinking of you guys.. always! xxx
Adrienne and Murray Wright
October 14, 2012 @ 6:45 pm
No words just love and prayers to you all. xx
Tui
October 14, 2012 @ 6:42 pm
You would think I would know what to do to help Kath but all I can do is feel your pain as it is my own. My tears are for you. For Emily. For Harry. That we can suffer like this is a terrible thing. We are just lucky life offers up so many blessings as well. Xxxx
Taylor Family
October 14, 2012 @ 6:19 pm
Dear Kath & Woodey
Have just arrived home after Aimee’s football tournament in Blenheim. To read Emily’s blog and to hear how down hill she has become breaks my heart and no words I have can tell you how we all feel for you. I am so pleased she is enjoying her time with Alex. He looks to be another beautiful Wooddin creation.
Thinking of you all and sending lots of love and hugs.
From Melissa, Brian, Nicole and Aimee. xoxoxoxoxo
Candice
October 14, 2012 @ 6:11 pm
This is the saddest thing I have read, you should not have to go through this. I am so sad for you. I cannot imagine how stressful this is and how hard it must be with a tiny baby, lack of sleep and all those hormones. I pray for supernatural strength ( physical and emotional) for you and Gary.
Big big hugs and just enjoy the time with Em xxxxx
The Hills
October 14, 2012 @ 5:52 pm
You’re always in our thoughts. We wish desperately there was something that we could do – if only they would find a cure for this bloody awful disease! Just glad for Emily that she’s not in any pain and gets to enjoy Alex. All our love – The Hills xxx
PS. Kaylee says ‘Emily I wish I could see you and I miss you’