Tae Kami Medical Fund: Tae's Journal: 3 March

November 2008

Quotes

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Tae on her Condition
before the December Surgery on the Inverted papilloma:
“...I don't really care how it is, but in the doctor's room, I felt that God was, and is with me and will be with me no matter what, and that if so, than let His will be done, he still has my purpose tucked in his arm safely”

Summarizing 5 surgeries in 12 months
“I would also describe the year (2005) as a blessing and a challenge, but I'm up for it. Time has brought each of us together; faith has done the impossible, support has shaped me, love has given me all the things I asked for, Hope…makes me stronger”

Tae has started a journal to keep everyone updated on the highlights of her day.

Dear all,
Today was great... now I've started eating pureed food & drinks. For breakfast I had fruit, lunch - soup, and I just finished a wonderful meal of mashed potatoe and gravy, pureed beef (spicy) + vegies. its nice to have a proper meal again, but no fizzy drinks!

The TV crew came a bit earlier and filmed me doing various activities like so & so...
It was also very nice to get 1 years free membership tickets for the family at Auckland Zoo. Daddy said its from the monkeys (same ol' dad)
Most of everything will be done over the weekend, but the leg.... a little longer.
Today was great, like I said and staff are simply lovely.

I'd like to thank all of you who have once again supported me and prayed for me.

God is remarkable and unbelievable, I got a card "footsteps..." and it was soo true.
God is always walking with you, but when it comes to difficulty, frustration & pain, God carries you...its simply beautiful.
I really want to go to school, seeing some girls in uniform makes me "school sick"
I'm really tired from all of the great work so far... time 4 a rest...

love Tae

Medical History

May 2008
We brought Tae to Tonga in April after the cancer reached her spine. Since then she is no longer able to walk and despite the slow deterioration of body function still continues to get around with a wheelchair and meet the many visitors who come to see her.
2008
Jan 2008 - We move to Fiji. Tae has had a persistent cough. The day before registering her in her new school an Xray reveals cancer in both lungs. Tae insists on no further treatment. A quick trip to Auckland confirms cancer in the lungs and in the liver. Cancer is now considered terminal Nov 2007 - Tae had major surgery to remove the Inverted Papilloma Tumour and insert a Titanium implant around her left eye to replace the tumour affected bone. We are advised that she will now have to wait at least 18 months to see if the tumour will grow back before any reconstruction can be undertaken.
Oct 2007 Update
• 2007 - 4 visits to New Zealand for check ups and reactive infections • Planning begins by Surgeon Ninian Pickett on reconstruction of Tae’s face. • 2007 September: Face swells up with an infection – Inverted Papilloma is identified – surgery planned for November 2007 to remove tumour from area around left eye - reconstruction delayed
2004
Nov - Constant nose bleed
Dec - Operation in Vaiola Hospital to remove polyp growth in nose. Bleeding does not stop and leads to further hospitalization
2005
Feb - Tae is operated on left sinuses through upper jaw to remove tumour – inverted Papilloma This was funded by the Tongan Government via NZ Aid. Tumour is Benign.=
July - Tumour has regrown and protruding through left nostril. Operation in Tonga through incision down the left side of nose to remove Inverted Papilloma done visiting ENT team from Melbourne, Australia
Sept - Operation in NZ on sinuses on right side of face to remove inverted Papilloma
Dec - Operation in NZ on sinuses on both left and right side to remove inverted Papilloma
2006
Jan / Feb - Cancer confirmed and extensive surgery and radiotherapy is recommended
Feb 23 - 17 hour operation to remove cheekbones, upperjaw and all related tissues with reconstruction of face. Dr John Chaplin, Dr. Nick McIvor, Dr. Paul Simcock, Dr. Mark Izzard, Dr Ian Chapman and the medical team.
March 13th - 11 hour operation to repair flap, remove nodes on neck and skin grafts
May 1st - June 9th: 30 sessions of radiotherapy spread over 6 weeks at Auckland Hospital - this has included several days in hospital...
August 9th: Major surgery expected to remove reconstruction. Most of the reconstructed bone and tissue found to be in good health despite removal of dead bone.
August 15th - WOW - tests come back and Tae is tumour free - cancer in remission.
Back to Tonga to let the wound heal and to allow for growth and recovery
December 06 Scans show still in remission and tumour free. Surgery to repair damage to face now set for April 2007

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Comments

Tae,
Sending you some supportive hugs and energy for your journal writing. Thank you for making the time to update us on your progress! :) 'Ofa atu,Auntie Kava :)

Posted by: Kava Tulua | March 04, 2006 at 05:33 PM

Faith, Love and Surgery - 3 Years on: My 15 Year Old Daughter's Journey - Beating Cancer....

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