Day 4 – Monday 11 January, 2010
Yesterday Emily was really happy to see Jack and Charlotte. Jack proudly told the nurse aide, “That’s my sister Emily, she growls at me when I go in her room”. Jack proceeded to make himself at home in CHOC (Child cancer ward) and was seen lounging back in front of the TV within minutes of arriving!
To supplement what she is eating, Emily is also being fed via a nasogastric tube. This was inserted on Friday night. Yesterday evening Emily was given a blood transfusion to increase her iron levels. She perked up considerably after this (as shown in the pictures with Jack and Charlotte).
Today Emily underwent a general anesthetic to enable further testing. This procedure took four hours and included a biopsy of the tumour. She also had a stent put into her ureter (tube in her kidney where urine goes to bladder), this is to take pressure off the kidney. Bone marrow was also taken from the hip bone for analysis.
Emily has had a Hickman line inserted, this is an intravenous catheter to be used for the administration of medications, as well as for the withdrawal of blood for analysis. This means that, moving forward, Emily will not need to be poked and prodded in the same way.
Gary said everything went well today and that Emily woke up straight away and is feeling “groggy and crabby”. Katherine feels a sense of relief at how well the pain is being controlled. Kath and Gary managed to get out together today – they went to Riccarton Mall for sushi and Kath enjoyed McDonald’s for lunch!
There are no results as yet from today’s testing but they are expected by the end of the week. A treatment plan will follow.
Kath was overwhelmed when we read every email of support to her today. Please comment on this site as we will be relaying every message. Gary spoke with his boss today who has said to take any time he needs, and if required, he will personally fly down to do Gary’s job.
Understandably, things are pretty overwhelming at the moment and Emily is responding best to one on one contact. Until a treatment plan is in place, Kath and Gary have requested minimal visitors. Keep an eye on the blog and we will let you know when this changes.
The emails and text messages have been so encouraging and are showing such tremendous support. What a tribute this is to the Wooddin family and the impact they have on everyone’s lives.
As previously noted please contact Michelle Grant if you would like to offer help. We are working alongside Kath as to what is required and how best your offers can be utilised. [email protected] or 03 322 8992
Vanessa
Daniel "Danich" Martin
January 20, 2010 @ 10:50 am
Dear Kath & G-man,
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Emily’s diagnosis.
Please know that your in my thoughts and I am wishing you all the best in getting Emily through her treatment and beyond
Lots of love and best wishes
Danich
Joanna & Mike Didham
January 19, 2010 @ 3:45 pm
Hi Gary, Katherine & Family
We are extremely saddened to hear the news of wee Emily. We are sending as many positive thoughts your way to help you at this present time. It was very touching to read the amazing messages, it just shows how many friends and family you have supporting you throught this journey. What a beautiful wee girl, keep strong, our thoughts are with you all.
Love and Hugs
Joanna, Micheal, Madison and Jessica
kesselers
January 18, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
katherine…spoke to Mum today….completely and utterly shocked.
Please keep your eyes smiling for Emily…she will look into those for her comfort and security right now.
Sending parcel for emily tomorrow…dont care she doesnt know who from just a wee girly thing. She needs some good amongst these beasties shes fighting right now. Dear wee poppit.
You must hold on to every inch of hope here…..
kids are fighters as she has shown you already….we wish with all our hearts minds and souls that things will get a little better for her each day.
Please look after yourself too katherine, have some time out when shes sleeping or the likes, just you and Woody.
Always with love
The kesselers
Sacha and Autumn
January 18, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
hope she’s doing better guys ..thinking of you all
Nicola Thompson
January 13, 2010 @ 11:34 am
Thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time x
Lots of love Nicola and Kai
Kelvin HOLDEN
January 12, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
Gary and Kath
Thinking of you guys, take care you are in our thoughts.
Kelv and Jo
missymooshoe
January 12, 2010 @ 10:14 pm
Hey Katherine…
I just can’t believe it…. I’m thinking of you guys so much and if there is ANYTHING we can do please just pick up the phone and call me….no matter what time it is!!!!!!!!!
big big big hugs and thinking of your constantly!!!
Melissa Caldwell xxx
Reid Humm and family
January 12, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
Hi Emily,
Hope you are better soon,i miss you
Love Reid.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you
thinking of you all
Tracey, Graeme, Nathan, Cole and Reid Humm
Greg and Rachel Brand
January 12, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
Dear Woody and Kath,
We were so very sorry to hear the news about Emily.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and our prayers.
Greg (Brandy) and Rachel
Stevens family
January 12, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
We are all stunned and saddened to hear about Emily; this is such a tragic turn of events and our hearts go out to you all. Kia kaha. Love from Ric, Frances, Kate, Ruth and Edith
Amy, Jase and Lexi
January 12, 2010 @ 7:03 pm
Dearest Kath, Woody, Emily and Family.
Our thoughts are with you through this hard time.
Blog is excellent idea, well done Michelle, Ness and Leona.
Stay strong.
Amy, Jase and Lexi
xx
Uncle Peter (UK)
January 12, 2010 @ 6:57 pm
Great idea to do this blog girls, it’s good to know Gary and Kath have such wonderful friends supporting them at this difficult time. xxxxxxxxx
Emma Middleditch
January 12, 2010 @ 6:46 pm
This blog is a great idea – thank you for keeping us informed.
So sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with you. If there is anything you need don’t hesitate to ask.
lots of love
Emma x
Connon and Tina
January 12, 2010 @ 6:32 pm
Dear Woody, Kath, Emily, Jack and Charlotte
Our thoughts and love are with you during this time.
Emily, so sorry to borrow your Ma and Pa for a day last week, stay strong.
Connon and Tina
Rene
January 12, 2010 @ 5:56 pm
To Emily and family
It was good to see Emily looking well and smiling. We would like to wish you all the best and you have our thoughts with you. Keep strong.
Thankyou for the blog we look forward to seeing Emilys progress over the weeks.
Love to you all
Rene, Leo, Charlotte and James Connelly.
Rob and Dawn
January 12, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
Dear Woodie and Kath
Our thoughts and best wishes are with you and your family during this very difficult time.
Love Rob and Dawn Marshall
Linda & John Russell
January 12, 2010 @ 2:41 pm
We are so terribly sorry to hear of Emily’s illness, poor wee sausage.
The doctors can do such amazing things & we are hoping for a quick recovery for Emily.
thinking of you all heaps.
Let us know if there is anything we can do.
Lots of love to you all
Linda & John xxxxxx
ANDREW LEWIS AND AMBER
January 12, 2010 @ 1:53 pm
Guys,
So sad to hear your news! Our thoughts are with you and I hope its a speedy recovery.
lots a love
Andrew and Amber
Carl and Vic Steffens
January 12, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
We are so sad to hear the news that Emily is unwell.
She is such a fantastic wee girl. We have no doubts she will find the strength to battle through this difficult time.
We are thinking of you.
Love Vic, Carl, Noah and Sophie.
Denise, John and Family
January 12, 2010 @ 12:29 pm
Dear Katherine, Gary, Emily, Jack and Charlotte
Our thoughts, love and best wishes are constantly going to at this time.
Love to all especially wee Emily, be strong wee poppet!!!
Denise, John and Family
Wayne and Vicky Caldwell
January 12, 2010 @ 12:09 pm
Dear Kathrine, Gary, Emily, Jack and Charlotte
We are thinking of you and sending you our love at this difficult time and praying for a speedy recovery.
Love Wayne and Vicky
Paul & Anita Dean
January 12, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Hi Guys,
So sorry to hear the news, we are all thinking of you and wishing for a speedy recovery.
Take care, lots of love
Paul, Anita, Tyson, Nivae, Nikita and Cooper xx
Nick Amanda Emma and Olivia Pritchard
January 12, 2010 @ 9:44 am
Dear Gary, Kath, Emily, Jack and Charlotte
We are all so very sad to hear the news about Emily.
Just to let you know that our thoughts are with you at this very difficult time.
What a fantastic blog, well done to Vanessa. It was wonderful to see Emily smiling, what a strong and brave little girl you have.
Love
Nick, Amanda, Emma and Olivia
Mike McMeeken
January 12, 2010 @ 9:40 am
Gaz and family, wishing you all the best through this difficult time.
Thinking of you,
Mike and the Prepress team
Steve Blackmore
January 12, 2010 @ 8:58 am
Dear Gary and Kath
We’re thinking of you and praying for you all as you go through this difficult time.
With best wishes to you all, especially little Emily.
Steve & Gill Blackmore
Deanne Holland
January 12, 2010 @ 7:45 am
To my dearest friend Kath
We have seen and experienced a lot together! And I know that if anyone can steer her family though this rocky road it will be you!
I’m absolutely blessed to be part of your life and if there is anything I can do just let me know xoxo
Dear Emily
We wish you the speediest of journeys! May you draw strength from your wonderful family and friends
Love and butterfly kisses Deanne Dean Daniel and Madison xxx
The Watsons
January 12, 2010 @ 7:41 am
This blog is a fantastic idea – thank you for keeping us all informed.
It’s great to hear that all of the Woodins’ family and friends are rallying together at this very difficult time. It just goes to show what a very special family they are.
Our thoughts are always with you. Anything you need, just let us know.
Emma
xx
kesselers
January 11, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
Hugs hugs and more hugs.
We are thinking of you all every day.
Thanks to the “blog” team.
Our lives are like the course of the sun,
At the darkest moment there is the promise
of daylight.
Keep strong, love always the Kesselers
TRUDI & CRAIG SQUIRE
January 11, 2010 @ 10:30 pm
Love and Hugs to all of you at this time. We pray that you find strength in the love of those around you and the precious smiles from Emily.
Thinking of you lots and look forward to updates via this awesome blog.
Love The Squires
Chris and Emma Mugford
January 11, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
Dear Kath, Gary and wonderful little Emily,
Both Chris and I are thinking of you all at this difficult time.
Stay strong.
Love Emma and Chris xxoo
Janelle
January 11, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Hi Guys
Thanks for the update Abs is over the moon to be able to see a picture of Emily as she has been really worried about her.
What a great idea having a blog.
Take care and thinking of you.
Love Rhys Janelle Abbey Brooke and Caitlin
Shanda and McKnight Boys
January 11, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
Have been waiting all day to hear how Em is doing and then to see the lovely photo with her smiling with Jack Jack and Charlotte (aka Smokey) was great! We are all thinking of you and Riley is looking forward to seeing you soon.
Take Care All xx Shanda, Clayton, Riley, Cade and Lachlan (aka Gordon)
PS. Well done with the blog girls!
Sonya Dean
January 11, 2010 @ 9:14 pm
Wow – its great to see Em smiling in these pictures!
I know there is a long road ahead, but with the huge outpouring of love and support coming thru how can any of them feel alone in this endeavour. We are all here to help, anything we can do – will be done. God bless Emily,Kath, Woody, Jack and Charlotte and their families. You are all in our prayers xxxx
Tania Chambers
January 11, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
Dear Wooddin Family,
I am so very, very sorry to hear about Emily and I am thinking of you all.
I am wishing you all the best and you guys are amazing, you will all help Emily through this.
Lots of love and best wishes
Tania :)