Here is a picture taken yesterday of Emily and Abbey at home. Today is a good day. We had encouraging news this morning. Kath said the oncologist was ‘beaming’ as he told her that the results are showing the ‘best possible outcome expected at this stage of treatment’. These results indicate that the tumor is […]
Emily has had a settled couple of days at home playing with her much appreciated gifts from friends and family. Kath has said “if there are no blog updates then assume that she’s had a settled and non eventful day at home with family, and the occasional friend, popping in when she’s up to it”. […]
Today Emily spent the day in hospital having tests. She had a bone marrow aspiration (under general anesthetic) and a CT scan. These tests will give the medical team information on the effect that the chemo is having at this stage of her treatment. Kath and Gary are not expecting to hear any results for […]
The Wooddins have had a busy but settled time day at home today. Kath and Gary would like to acknowledge the generosity of their family, friends and the wider community. There are no words to express their gratitude. Kath says, “Jack’s preschool, The Cat’s Pajama’s, really is the cat’s pajamas!” Kath said that they have […]
Emily and Kath had a better sleep last night back in their own room, after having an unsettled night in the shared room on Friday. This weekend Emily has had 24 hours of chemo followed by 24 hours of post chemo hydration. She will have a blood transfusion today and they are hoping to be […]
Today Emily started her fourth round of chemo (pictured above). They expect to be in hospital for the next few nights. Tonight Em is sharing a room with another child on the ward. The girls are excited about their ‘sleep over’. Leona and Vanessa
Emily loves hanging out with Jack and Charlotte Em spent most of today at the hospital having a blood transfusion and platelets. She is back home again tonight. Vanessa and Leona
This is an exert of the letter from Emily’s Oncologist (click on it to enlarge). Emily is happy at home and her personality is back. They are making the most of it before Em starts her next round of chemo on Friday, and are hoping to be able to stay home until then. Kath is […]
This is Charlotte at home supporting Emily’s new look. Today Emily was given laughing gas for a dressing change as she gets very anxious. Kath said she was hilarious throughout the procedure as she had a silly grin and was very giggly. This afternoon they went home. All going well they will be home for […]
Here is Emily at home on the weekend admiring Jack’s artwork. Beads of Courage – 105! Emily started her third round of chemo yesterday. She is tolerating it well but is very tired. Her mood is slightly better as she is adjusting to the huge changes. This round requires her to stay in hospital. Many […]
Emily was providing a lot of entertainment tonight, texting her dad about leaving his tea cups around the room and not tidying up after himself. Katherine was laughing so hard, she was crying. Emily is neutropenic (meaning, in the most basic sense, she has no resistance to infection) so they were very lucky to be […]
Emily has been taken back into the hospital tonight because she has a high temperature and has been feeling miserable (the original plan was to go back Tuesday). While at home she was fed via the nasogastric tube for 20 hours of the day which meant she wasn’t able to do much. Although she didn’t […]
This afternoon Emily had another scan. This scan will highlight exactly where the neuroblastoma cancer cells are in her body. Yesterday afternoon a dye (brought in from Australia) was administered and left to disperse in preparation. The scan lasted for over an hour and required Em to lie still, causing a lot of discomfort. Again […]
This is a picture of Emily reading a comment on the blog from Jaime Booth. There is not much news to report today. We’ll post a more comprehensive blog tomorrow night. Vanessa and Leona
This was taken several days ago when Jack and Charlotte came to visit Emily. This morning Emily went along with Kath and Gary to Kath’s 18 week scan. The nurse wrote the sex of the baby on a piece of paper so Emily would get the news exclusively and be the one to pass it […]
Emily now has 69 Beads of Courage. Kath and Gary have been looking forward to seeing her personality return for weeks now and at times today glimpses shone through! Her mood however is changing quickly and dramatically. Emily spent some time in the playroom today and has completed 2 of her worksheets. If you want […]
This is a picture of Emily opening a gift basket from Nana Sue’s work with her 2 grandmothers in the background. Today Emily text her Dad (from Kath’s phone) asking him to pick her up a cheeseburger happy meal “and make sure you get a girl toy”. Emily went down today to the hospital bookstore […]
Gary has had lots of questions from people about childhood cancer in New Zealand and has asked if some of the information given to them by the hospital can be shared with everyone. – In New Zealand approximately 150 children (0-14 years) are diagnosed with cancer each year. – Cancer develops when a cell in […]
This is a photo of Emily’s Beads of Courage. Yesterday afternoon Emily started her second round of chemo treatment. This is a different type of chemo from last time. It is being infused over 24 hours and has stronger side effects. At this stage she is tolerating it well but she is likely to become […]
On Saturday a group of us got together to landscape Kath and Gary’s grounds. The effort was co-ordinated by Steve and Desiree, who have done a tremendous job planning and implementing the garden. The Gardens were planted and barked. A huge thank you to everyone who helped. Thank you to Paula for the fabulous lunch. […]
This is a picture of Emily’s room and adjoining ensuite. Yesterday Emily received two blood transfusions as her haemoglobin levels were low. Kath and Gary are being honest with Emily about what is happening to her and what the treatments are doing to her body. Yesterday they told her that her hair will fall out. […]
This evening, Serena came into the hospital to paint Emily’s nails. The middle fingers on each hand were left unpainted as they are needed for medical checks. Today Emily had an ultrasound to check her left kidney which has reduced to a more normal size. The stent is helping to drain away the fluid retention […]
Emily says “Thank you for the presents and cards. I am looking forward to seeing all of you when I’m feeling a bit better.” Emily has been inundated with cards, letters and presents. They are all very much appreciated. Kath and Gary are having to send some things home each day as her hospital room […]
Emily was visited today by her brother, Jack, and her cousin, Jaymee. Kath went out yesterday afternoon to attend a friend’s wedding ceremony which she really enjoyed. Last night Gary stayed in the hospital with Emily while Kath had a comfortable night at home. Emily had an unsettled night but has managed to get some sleep throughout […]
This is a picture of the day room/lounge in CHOC. Kath and Gary are spending a lot of time in this room to enable Emily to rest and have some much needed solitude. At home, Emily enjoys being alone in her room and she is craving this time by herself. Katherine has had a day […]
“Emily has 43 Beads of Courage already…what a trooper!” Katherine text through this morning. These Beads of Courage are colourful beads that visually represent the many challenges overcome along the treatment journey. Gary sounded really relieved that when he first saw Emily this morning she wasn’t in pain, as they had managed it well over […]
We have just spoken to Katherine and Emily has been sleeping for the past 2 hours. She has been given some short acting morphine and they are starting slow release morphine to keep her comfortable and to allow her to have a restful night. Emily is getting 100% of her nutritional needs through a feed, […]
This is the hardest thing we have ever had to write. Emily is a very sick little girl. The tumour is a neuroblastoma. The cancer is widespread. The doctor has said there is a 20 – 30% chance of recovery. The oncologist, Rob Corbett, said the outlook is not good, but there is hope. Emily will […]
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 […]