Tae Kami Medical Fund

28 Sept 2007 - Post surgery Update

John Chaplin completed a relatively short surgery today - going through Tae's mouth to check the cause of the swelling under her left eye.  A metal plate was removed that had been unstable and is the likely cause of the infection. Part of her remaining cheek bone was infected and had to be removed as well so a rather swollen patient has recovered somewhat by evening and likely to spend one night in hospital. She will have to return next week to have the wound cleaned out and stitched shut in another short surgical procedure. All tissue removed has been submitted for testing and we will have results next week.

Rev. Feleti Atiola spent most of the day with Sina and I waiting for Tae to come out of surgery and returned to Tonga tonight.

Thanks you for your prayers and support and again we appreciate the work of John Chaplin and the medical team.

27th September - Tae's Journal (NZ)

Greetings from NZ! Tae woke me up this morning and handed me a piece of paper and asked me to come into the internet cafe and put up her journal on the website as we don't have a computer at the moment. Her dad, Taholo will be arriving tonight from Fiji. We thank you again for all the prayers and support. 'ofa atu Sina

This is what Tae wrote:

Hi everyone,

Right now, I am sitting in my room here in NZ.... writing to you all on a piece of paper so my mom can type it for me. Writing is my 4th favourite hobby.. When I write.. it's like expressing your very thoughts on paper - things words itself.. cannot do.

On Friday (tomorrow), I'm having another operation and it's been so long since my last one. Alot of people ask me why I'm not AFRAID. Why I seem to be so calm with myself - despite EVERYTHING I've been through .. It's simply because I"VE ACCEPTED IT!. Going through all this, is definately NOT easy, and it isn't something I would ask God for Christmas

25 Sept 2007 Surgery Again

Hi all,
Tae visited John Chaplin today and looks like she will be going through surgery on Friday morning (28 Sept) to see if the infection is related to a loose metal plate or other causes. It may be relatively minor but doctors are not sure yet until they take a look on Friday. We will get back on details but ask for your continued prayers for Tae.

'ofa atu

25 Sept A Parent's perspective

It's Monday night and Sina has just arrived in New Zealand with Tae and Joy today. Im stuck in Fiji with the now "not so new" job  but my mind is on my battling daughter who sent me a short email  several days ago written in the early hours, upset that her left eye looked like it had a golf ball under the skin and she wanted to know why God would let her go through this again. I don't have any answers .. only a silent admiration for this kid who keeps on fighting through the pain. Honestly Tae, I did not know what you were going through until I saw the pictures of your face that were emailed over by mom ... .. no one teaches us how to deal with this...

Tae was bright and chirpy on the phone today - she had arrived in NZ and knew the doctors would see her eye soon and work something out. We all hold out its an infection and maybe they can remove what is causing it to happen. This is the cancer journey that movies and documentaries try to describe - the pain and courage of the little ones, the anguish of the mom who doesn't stop trying or the Dad who struggles to explain and finds he just doesn't have an answer (thats now so normal...)

I am usually good with sorting things out - I'm a strategy guy - put me on a podium and I will make sense of the problem and get people to see a solution. Funny how the last 3  years I have never felt so helpless. I just don't click when it comes to sorting through issues on Tae's treatment

24 Sept Update

Tae will leave for New Zealand Monday morning after a night in hospital in Tonga and the sudden swelling on the left side of her face has not improved enough. It is likely to be an infection and may require a surgical procedure if it does not improve significantly.

Tae is talking now and initially struggled to come to grips with the latest setback but she is now looking forward to dealing with it. This kid is something special!  Appreciate your continued prayers through the next few days.

22 September _ Update on Tae

Hi everyone
Just a short update
Tae is not feeling well at the moment (her left eye all swollen and not comfortable)
She has been on antibiotics for the past three days and started on Codeine last night because of the pain
She will be going into hospital today so they can start on IV and give her stronger antibiotics
We were planning to leave for NZ this morning but Tae asked to wait until Monday morning
and we decide from there

All we are hoping and praying for that it"s only an infection and at the same time we understand that this is part of our journey with Tae
Last night the "Atiola"s (Aioema) and the Tonga"s (Meleane) family came also uncle Pila and Leta dropped in with the children for a visit
We are thankful for all the prayers and support from all the friends and family here and abroad

God bless and "ofa atu
Sina

20 Sept Tae's Journal

Tae sent an update yesterday which I have posted below. Unfortunately since then, her jaw has started to ache and she had to see a doctor today in Tonga on what the next step. This is again very much a part of the journey ... one day it's sunshine then rain...  In the midst of all this we have received an update from Dr. Ninian Pickett in New Zealand and looks like they are ready to proceed in NZ with steps towards reconstruction starting November. Appreciate your prayers through this time. Tae's update below

HI EVERYONE, Right now, we’re back home in Tonga, The appointment went well though – I had a really good talk with the doctor, But it seems like nothing else can be done until the next Big step, and for that, it’s still making progress… so it’s really a matter of waiting to see what happens next. After that, I got a dental x ray done just check up on my teeth… Having to wait can definitely be a challenge for me, because I’m growing at the same time-and it seems like everyday, my eye seems to droop a bit more, and with my face like this-it becomes more difficult for me to cope with the changes.

18 Sept Update

Hi all,
We returned from New Zealand after one week and a visit with Dr. John Chaplin. The good news is Tae is still clear of tumour or cancer but the challenge with reconstruction remains. It looks like there is still some time to go with the planning and Tae made it clear how she would love to know "how long" it will take so it helps her manage the realities of the long wait.

We will be moving to Fiji in November once Tae's form 4 exams are done. We are excited with the prospects and another chapter in this journey.

 

Thank you all for your prayers and support.

10th September - Tae's Journal: Auckland,Nz

Hi everyone,

Just dropping in to tell the latest...right now I'm writing in from Auckland-we just arrived last night.

Alot of people have been asking whether I'd be having my surgery soon...and lately I've been asking myself the same question-so there's pretty much alot to wonder about while waiting-I don't really mind though(it keeps me busy!)

My appointment's on Thursday,so hopefully I'll be able to get some answers and also get the usual checkup done.                                                               

After that,we'll be returning to Tonga on Friday night...that's *if* everythings goes well...I've gotten used to the trips; going back and forth from Tonga...and it's become part of our schedule-almost every 3 months.

8 September 2007 - Brief Update

I called Tonga and spoke briefly with Sina.

Sad news, 11 year old Siulolo Fifita passed away last night. She was a neighbour in Fasi and Tae and Mia were devastated this morning since they had visited her earlier in the week and again while Joy was in Hospital last weekend. Raises again the challenges for kids with special conditions in Tonga and other developing countries where access to better medical care would have made a difference.... Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fifita and the Manukia families at this time.

Sina, Tae and Joy leave for New Zealand tomorrow for a medical. It will be good for Tae and hopefully will allow the surgeons to get an updated opinion on Tae's condition.