The Clown Doctors

Today we had a visit from the Clown Doctors who are specially trained masters of humour and spontaneous play. With all their artistic skills, gags, tricks, improvisation talent and special hospital training, the Clown Doctors help to bring back fun, cheer and a refreshing zest for life (www.clowndoctors.org.nz).

Message from Jak

To all my friends and all of James' supporters - thank you SO MUCH for supporting the Dash n Splash for James - you all Rock!!! It means a lot to me and Alii that everyone has come out to support James in his illness. James has been so brave...he deserves all this attention and more...LOVE you lots especially to Lofisamjade Fuataga and the crew from Kids on f.o.o.t

Bank Account Change

Hi everyone, for those of you who are interested in fundraising or donations for James please note that the bank account details have changed.

His account is:

James Alan Aberdein-Tapuai

12 3141 0369980 51

Thanks for caring.

Visit from Crusaders

Yesterday, three of the Crusaders - Adam Whitelock, Robbie Fruean, and Zac Guildford came by for a chat with James while he was having his chemotherapy treatment.  The Child Cancer Foundation organised their visit to CHOC and the guys were awesome!

Wainuiomata News 18th January 2012

Hutt News Article 17th January 2012

 

Beads of Courage

Beads of Courage is a unique program designed to honour the challenging journey kids take while receiving care for cancer.

Each collection of Beads of Courage symbolizes the courage and honours the milestones achieved along the treatment path (CCF).  James has collected 157 beads of coverage so far and today he decided to thread some of them together.

Update for today

Yesterday I met the mother of the only other patient who CHOC have treated for APML (Leukemia) in recent times.  She told me her son has undergone treatment for approximately 3 years; including 8 months in Christchurch and a further 2 years on maintenance at home.  It was awesome meeting this family to find out more about the treatment and what we can expect in the future.  The last patient that was treated for APML was 10 years ago!

Exciting News - James' Leukemia in remission

We received the bone marrow results today and Doctor Mike told us the good news that James's Leukemia is in remission.  This means that the treatment has been successful and that so much of the leukamia has been destroyed that it can no longer be detected under a microscope. This does not mean James has been cured but it does mean he is on the way to being cured.  Treatment will continue here in Christchurch for a while yet and then onto Wellington for maintenance.  Needless to say we are very happy!  Thank you everyone for all your prayers and support!  God Bless xxxx

Memphis sings for James

Follow the link below:

Memphis sings a song for James from Kids on F.o.o.t.

Kids on Foot Splash n Dash for James!!

GET IN THERE AND SUPPORT ONE OF OUR BOYS CURRENTLY BEING TREATED FOR LEUKEMIA ... CHALLENGE FROM OUR Kids on f.o.o.t TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ... if you can't be there, sponsor some of our kids ... ♥ xx This is for you James, Jak and family!!

Check out the Ways you can Help page for more info.

Heartfelt from Jak

I met a family today at CHOC whose 4 year old son was just diagnosed with Leukemia and I could see on her face that she was in shock and I then realised that was me 2 months ago - James and I have been in Christchurch for 2 months! I really felt for this woman.

Chemotherapy has started

Today is James's fourth day of treatment.  He is managing this really well and so far there have not been any side effects. The chemotherapy treatment is given intravenously through the Hickman line over two hours.  Once treatment is finished we head back to Ronald MacDonald House for some rest and relaxation or playstation 3 in James's case!

Update for Today

James blood results today show that they are high enough to start his next stage of treatment, which will go on for 41 days.  From here on in James will be considered an outpatient and will therefore receive his treatment during the day and will stay at Ronald MacDonald House at night.  

Tomorrow he will have a bone marrow aspiration which will show how his bloods are doing. The Bone marrow aspiration removes a small amount of bone marrow fluid and cells through a needle put into a bone. The bone marrow fluid and cells are checked for problems with any of the blood cells made in the bone marrow (web.md.com).

On Friday James will start his chemotherapy which is a combination of two types of medicines - trentinoin and aresenic trioxide.

Please be sure to leave a comment for James - he would love to hear from you. 

Blessings from the Word

Your 'faith' is what activates the power of God. Before a stone becomes a diamond it's just carbon put under extremely high pressure. The Bible says, 'These trials will show that your faith is genuine. Trouble not only places a demand on your faith, but reveals the depth of it. You don't really know much about your faith when your bills are paid, your body is healthy, you...r children are acting right and your marriage is intact. But when all hell is breaking loose and you trust God to bring you through it, you know you've got faith.

So Put your faith to work 'Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God...' Ephesians 6:17 and Say, 'Enough is enough,' and begin to take back what the enemy has stolen from you.

As we approach a new year may you take a closer walk with Thee...

God Bless ... Admin 1Luv

New Years Eve from Jak

I can't think of a better New Years Eve than being with my family - I am going to cherish every moment that I spend with my husband Alii, son James, Alofa, Ria and Tali - I love them sooo much - next year will be the year for our Family with James being cured from Leukemia - BRING IT ON 2012.


It has been an awesome week. It's like James is his old self again. Treatment has been delayed for a week due to his neutrofils being too low. On Wednesday they will do his bloods again and if everything is what it should be he will start chem on Thursday. Will load some photos up on his website. Happy New Year everyone and thank you again for all your support and making James' Christmas a good one! xxxx