Tae Kami Medical Fund

29 Feb 2008 Update

Tae singing His Eyes are on the Sparrow  Click to hear/download song

Tae is still in hospital this morning. Tae was smiling by the time I got to hospital last night - the small session in surgery to drain the infection beside her nose seemed to have worked out well and Sina had called for me to pick up a hot chocolate and fish fillet burger from Mcdonalds for her to snack on. We hope all goes well from here on - her breathing has cleared up a little but we have to see what the doctors say today.

We had a long discussion yesterday while she lay on the bed and she says to me "Dad - I've accepted the situation - have you?"  She then proceeded to explain that she has been so richly blessed in her short life, she's had her miracle and she has overcome all her challenges, she is ready to go home  if God decides its time. The surgeon was stunned by her frankness on issues and spent more time discussing life and faith issues with her yesterday  then her condition...

The guys from the studio dropped off samples of her song yesterday. There is a version of Tae singing "His Eyes are on the Sparrow" and the song she wrote "Walk on, Walk Strong". The studio guys also did their own version of "Walk on, Walk Strong" which was quite stunning. I will upload it once I figure how to do it. We hope the song can be used to raise funds for a "Tae Kami Foundation" which can  assist with cases of Pacific Island kids who face a cancer challenge .  Check soon for a download.

Thank you all for your prayers and support - I will post an update from Tae later

28 February Update Hospital in Suva.

Tae was admitted to Suva Private Hospital after a 9am doctors appointment today. She was wheezing while breathing and the implant on the left side of her face is hurting / swollen. The doctors will have to decide today if they will open the infected area to drain it. I walked into the hospital room this afternoon and Tae was listening to music while waiting for further advice and Sina was fast asleep against the bed - exhausted.  We will update later but appreciate your prayers.

25 February Update

Hi all,
We took Tae to Dr. Malani today and found she had Asthma - which explained the shortness of breath and the longer tired spells. Her steroids dose has been raised and she now has an inhaler to help with her breathing and sure enough, she was soon feeling better and quite chirpy again by dinner.

Robyn McIvor, Brooke and Mark arrived safely today from Auckland and its good to have them here with us. Aioema Atiola and Meleane Tonga - good friends and mums to Tae's best friends are also here so its great to catchup with happenings in Tonga. We saw off Todd, Beth, Kallan and Adrie Christensen yesterday after a week here in Fiji from New york. It was really something special renewing friendships after all these years, especially watching the girls gel since seeing each other at 3 years old. Look forward to keeping these friendships into the future!

Tae's recent recordings should be out tomorrow and she is looking forward to hearing the song she wrote..."Walk on, Walk Strong". Tonight after the treatment on her breathing at the clinic, her voice cleared up somewhat and the notes were strong as she shared her songs with us. A real testimony of courage and clarity of vision in a world where the messages get quite confusing. We are grateful for the prayers that continue to surround her on her journey.

22 February - Update

Another eventful week. Tae seemed totally exhausted today spending the the first half of the day lying in her room and neither attempting to get on the web or watch TV. This afternoon Lionel Gibson arranged for her to meet with his and Rex Horoi's teenage brood of young musicians at a private studio to record a couple of songs. Tae suddenly perked up having some friends around with her and started singing... His Eyes are on the Sparrow to the prepared soundtrack. She is struggling however to reach or hold the notes she used to be able to sing but wants to go through with it... She has written a new song which she hopes can be used for fundraising for a possible foundation that can help Pacific Island kids going through a cancer journey.

Dr Malani called yesterday - the Xrays on the lungs do not show aggressive progress since the previous Xray taken in mid January. We hope she stabilizes but the implant around her left eye is uncomfortable and has made it necessary to take pain killers to reduce the constant pain. She continues to take steroids which makes her quite hungry. Tae keeps reminding me that the proximity of the steroids should not be making me hungry as well!

Mia sang this morning the school assembly with the grade 5 choir and is excited about going to school and all the activities she is involved in. She now rides the bus to and from school with Joy. Joy finds the bus a great experience and insists on taking the bus - even though she is asleep by the time the bus reaches home.
We are looking forward to news from Todd, Beth, Kallan and Adrie when they return this evening from the beach resort. They leave on Sunday and we welcome more friends the same day coming from Tonga!

Thank you again for being part of our journey.

21 February - Update

In the past week, Tae has been doing a lot of activities with her friends in the neighborhood. She has been swimming, watching movies, and hanging out with them, until she gets tired. She still has the cough, tiredness but never stays in bed if she knows people are here to visit her. Today, she wanted both of us to take her to town, just to walk around and sit for a juice in a local cafe.  After two hours in town she said she is very tired.

She did the chest x-ray yesterday, and it looks like the cancer has spread more - we will get the details when we get a chance to see Dr Malani.  Tae loves to sing her songs when people visit her - but the voice is quieter and the high notes are harder to reach. We are finding overall her talking is quieter as she loses capacity with her lungs. Now she is looking forward to recording on Friday with the Gibsons / Horois a song she has written over the past year.

I just found out tonight that my uncle Metui Fonua, passed away in Tonga. Tae was shocked when I told her. She remembers the last time we saw Metui was when we visited him in Tonga and he gave us some big yams from his garden.  They have been very supportive and always there when we need them.  Our prayers are with aunty Malolo (she is my mum's sister), and the children 'Uinisi, Fehi, Sione, Siaosi, Peni and the grandchildren.  May God's peace be with you all at this time of sorrow.

18 February - Tae's journal

Dear Journal,

Just writing in after a busy weekend! (snooze time.lol)

Last week,@ my 15th birthday (Food, Family, Friends & Fun)
we had a huge canopy set up outside the house. We spent the rest of that morning, blowing up balloons and decorating the garage for the party.
A lot of my friends asked me what I did that morning and whether I did anything special.
Let me just say, that  morning I tried to blow a balloon...and ended up exhausting myself.
So I helped decorate the garage instead.
My family did most of the hard work...from blowing the balloons,calling the caterers,setting up the chairs,tables and tent...etc
I really didn't expect for the party to be a big one...but it was.
We had over 60 people that night not counting the kids!... most I had just met, some - I hadn't seen in ages.
I had an awesome time though - catching up with everybody,making new friends,having fun,trying out the food ...etc
It's one of those times... when you look back at everything you've been thru in the past, and think..."It was well worth it..."

16 February Update

End of a busy week!

For Tae, it has been a great week despite continuing to experience consistent pain around the implant in her left eye. She is concerned with how it is reshaping the left side of her face but hopes it will settle down soon.

The birthday went well with some 50 plus people and lots of food. We were not sure about the weather and put a tent in the drive way - it turned out to be the first rainfree / clear evening in several weeks and what a celebration. Tae enjoyed having everyone over and great to share a special evening with so many of you. 

During the week we had several people over for visits including a surprise visit from the Rigamoto family who are 3 doors away but are our dear friend Fiu Igara's immediate family. It was good to meet Fiu's mom and Tae's is so happy to have friends nearby.  We also had Watisoni Serevatu for dinner with Lausai and Gibson Wekina. Last night it was good to catchup again with Konai and Randy Thaman.

WE have also enjoyed the swimming in our neighbours pool under Donna's supervision and Hayleys watchful eye on Joy.

Grandma Tae left Friday morning with Moala Jr for Tonga. It was great to have her here for the Birthday and for a 77yr old she is doing amazingly well. 

Appreciate all the love, support and prayers.

Photos from the Birthday

The Birthday cake
Fane, Make and Esther came early morning and put up the balloons while we were still in bed!

Taulama Aleamotu'a, Henry, Steven Kami, Taholo

'

Melino and Siale Vete, slicing the "puaka tunu" (roasted pig)

Ema, Tae and aunty Lanna (uncle Steven's wife - they came all the way from Papua New Guinea for Tae's birthday)

Fraser, Dr. Joji Malani and Tae

11th February - Happy 15th Birthday Tae

God bless you on your special day today Tae!
Get ready to blow those 15 candles tonight.We love you
From all of us here in Suva, Fiji.

Early morning and Tae's cousins (Vilimani, Isi, Mahe, Vaioleti and Sione) called to wish her Happy Birthday. We were even more surprised to look out the window to find the front gate covered in bright Balloons (Thanks Fane, Make and the Ragg Ave crew!). Steven and Lanna are here with their boys Vili and Sione from Papua New Guinea to attend the birthday and spend a week with us. Thanks for the email Senituli and the prayers and support from so many of you all over the world - we will be getting together with friends and family around Suva to share a meal this afternoon and celebrate with Tae.

What a Journey! God is good and we count our blessings despite the hard slog - Tae continues to inspire us with her faith that all is in His hands - even cancer. I picked up this email written after her first diagnosis of cancer and she had just turned 13 that day.

"There's not much difference (from the previous tumour condition) between having cancer and all, except the pain.....  I seem to cope with cancer..maybe because now that I'm thirteen,it was actually one of the many gifts ... and I have to be grateful for it...... Thank you all for supporting and praying for me, my faith has never deserted me, and thats also another GIFT from God. "

Tae, You have taught us so much with your positive, perky attitude and steadfast faith that despite the storm - God is faithful and has a plan for you!!

  15 today .... Happy Birthday

Photos

Tae, Joy and Mia cooking!

(left)Robyn McIvor and daughter Brook in NZ
Tae and Robyn Vincent-Scott - helicopter ride (NZ)

Tae and her uncle Sifa (mum's eldest brother - during the birthday party for Tae in NZ)

' Anaviola,  'Anaseini, Popua, Tae, Saiatua and cousin Valeti

Sina, Tae, cousins - Sela and Lepeka Tatila at the Sky Tower in Auckland, NZ

Birthday Cake in NZ