Central Whangarei news is brought to you by the team at Whangārei Leader
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
Learn with us
We have received overwhelming interest from businesses, marae, whānau groups, kapa haka, not-for-profit organisations, and others to get support for uplifting their aspirations in the areas of tikanga, te reo Māori, kaitiakitanga and other pathways.
Whether your whānau have … View moreLearn with us
We have received overwhelming interest from businesses, marae, whānau groups, kapa haka, not-for-profit organisations, and others to get support for uplifting their aspirations in the areas of tikanga, te reo Māori, kaitiakitanga and other pathways.
Whether your whānau have individual goals or your business organisation would like professional development opportunities for your staff – we are happy to support! With flexible programmes we are taking enrolments for the remainder of 2022 and 2023.
If you’d like our support please contact us as we’d love to kōrero!
Dear thieves,
I know you won't see this. However, I would very much like all your neighbours to know (and to warn) just how unappreciative my wife, son, and I are of you and your pals breaking into our garage and house while we were at the last Women's World Cup Rugby match up here in … View moreDear thieves,
I know you won't see this. However, I would very much like all your neighbours to know (and to warn) just how unappreciative my wife, son, and I are of you and your pals breaking into our garage and house while we were at the last Women's World Cup Rugby match up here in Whangārei.
My biggest gripe with you though is why you even thought it necessary? I'm sure had you actually known how much we struggle then you may have changed your mind....But that's hindsight eh.
You see, I'm the primary caregiver of my wife Katie who has an extremely rare blood cancer that has robbed her mobility and a raft of other issues called The Castleman's Variety of POEMS Syndrome - We may need to go get a Stem Cell Transplant shortly. It all started basically a few weeks after giving birth to our nearly 5yr old son, Niam. What she thought was a neck strain (obvious conclusion) turned out to be far more ominous.
Had biopsies done of the swollen lymph nodes in her neck throughout 2018, only to be told it would go away as it was just reacting to something. Come Christmas 2018, her feet starting weakening. So this, combined with the still swollen lymph nodes/pain made alarm bells ring. Emergency scans and meetings occurred quickly and they decided to rush her down to Auckland City Hospital for a Spinal Fusion connecting the base of her skull to C3, C4, and C5 vertebrate, as a tumour had eaten away at the top two (C1-2), and surrounded her spinal column. Given all the symptoms, but before the scans/operation, they did an original misdiagnosis of Guillain Barre Syndrome (for the Polyneuropathy of her feet/legs). They promptly realised this actually wasn't the case and gave her the current diagnosis - Castlemans = a rare disease - POEMS = even rarer.
Once the operation happened, then 75 rounds of radiation occurred on the main tumor, but also 3 more more non cancerous bony lesions/tumors on her spine. Following this, the chemo began (will be on it every day til....well you know). However, the chemo wasn't straight forward as the way the funding works meant she had to take a different one beforehand that was known to be risky and could cause an increase in Polyneuropathy symptoms, before moving to the current chemo, Lenalidomide. Did it increase? yes.
To make make matters all the more stressful, Katie wasn't a resident at the very beginning so WINZ was impossible. Thankfully kind hearts prevailed and the hospitals proceeded without charging us any more (treated her as a Kiwi - while the application was being processed). Until that point we'd already received a $10k bill for her staying in Whangārei hospital for 3 days while they did nothing but think/discharge her.
I had to quit work when it all began. So that was serious problem financially. Especially when WINZ weren't able to be be as helpful yet due to her immigration status. So....we had to file for a No Asset Procedure......Yay.
All this not 3 years into our marriage.
Niam learnt to walk at the Auckland Hospital.
.........
What's life like these days? Well, financially we're obviously still at the bottom of the cliff proverbially speaking. Emotionally? Stressed. Physically? Exhausted.
Chemo is ongoing....and there's a chance that the Kind-of remission she was in may be about to stop...in which case back to Auckland....but we'll find out soon.
For the past year I've been studying Environmental Science down at Northtec - my passion.....because if it's financially unviable (We tested it out) for me to work fulltime at the moment (Supported Living Payment - Broke Boredom) then I may as well study what I Love.....
Fast forward to your actions. Do you know just how much stress and suffering you've inflicted? We're not rich. We get by. That's it.
We can't afford contents insurance.....SLP doesn't allow such wiggle room.
To make matters worse my mind decided to have another mental break/flipout (had a previous one in 2020, 1 year after her diagnosis). Most likely a Brief Psychotic Disorder (stress - childhood trauma).....not helpful when I'm meant to be the caregiver.
........
Anyway, that's the brief history of us.
You stole from us. And that sucks.
Why steal from the broken and poor?
The rich? Well the rich are by definition rich.......and we're just more poor than we were before.
Would be a miracle if we could ever get a house of our own that meets Katie's mobility needs....but til that unlikely day, we'll keep being poor.
If you could (you definitely can) contribute to the suffering caused, well then your more that welcome to donate to the givealittle a friend set up for us.....It's not much....but it'll help replace some of it.
Regards,
Adam J Hughes
givealittle.co.nz...
*Update - Katies paraprotein levels have elevated the last few blood tests, and the PET scan she had a couple weeks back shows a new tumour on her spine at C7. She's now on wait list for a stem cell transplant, though we'll have a more concrete plan by the end of February.
How to make your own Christmas terrarium painted in Resene.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Children with Disability NZ is now fundraising for an accessible seesaw for Raumanga park Whangarei, the beauty of these products is that they are accessible for wheelchair users but are also multi use for all children
Our charity has a focus on improving the outcomes for disabled children and … View moreChildren with Disability NZ is now fundraising for an accessible seesaw for Raumanga park Whangarei, the beauty of these products is that they are accessible for wheelchair users but are also multi use for all children
Our charity has a focus on improving the outcomes for disabled children and young adults we have part funded a wheelchair swing for Waipu park Northland. We have reached an agreement with Whangarei council to fundraise towards a accessible seesaw for Raumanga park.
See our Give a little page here
givealittle.co.nz...
Breathe new life into an old children’s toy with a fun new look using only Resene testpots! Find out how to create your own.
Does anybody know what time the Xmas tree place opens and closes. There's a sign outside St Johns that it's moved to Winger Cres but I can't find any more information about it.
Yep, you don't have time to tick everything off before the holidays start. Come have a chat with us, we'll see you right for all your bed and bedding requirements! Make it quick time is running out.
Give us a call, flick us an email or pop in store. The best bed deals right here in … View moreYep, you don't have time to tick everything off before the holidays start. Come have a chat with us, we'll see you right for all your bed and bedding requirements! Make it quick time is running out.
Give us a call, flick us an email or pop in store. The best bed deals right here in WHANGAREI.
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View moreShare a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.
Ends 21 December 2022
AS New!!!
Equine Fusion Hoof Boots All Terrain/ Jogging Shoe
size 13 Slim (pair)
Excel cond as only used 2x?
Just not right size for my boy
$200 pr... these retail for somehere up to $300pr
What better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?
Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how … View moreWhat better way to while away a Friday afternoon and get your weekend DIY inspiration than drooling over the most beautiful house and garden content of the week?
Homed newsletter keeps you on top of the real estate market, takes you inside gorgeous New Zealand homes, give you a taste of how celebrities live, keep you up to date with interior trends, provide project ideas, and more. Be inspired to dream big about your own space - and get on the path to making those dreams come true. Sign up for free here.
We're putting in a footpath in this spot on Riverside Drive, with construction starting today.
The new section between Tanekaha Drive and the roundabout will make for a continuous footpath from the Victoria Bridge through to the Riverside Drive Shared Path, leading on to Onerahi.
The … View moreWe're putting in a footpath in this spot on Riverside Drive, with construction starting today.
The new section between Tanekaha Drive and the roundabout will make for a continuous footpath from the Victoria Bridge through to the Riverside Drive Shared Path, leading on to Onerahi.
The project also includes new kerb and channel at the edge of the road, and is expected to take about 2 weeks. Please drive considerately and slowly past the work site.
FORGET ME NOT ADULT DAY CENTRE. 110 Boundary Rd. Tikipunga. Next to the WHANGAREI FALLS
SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER
8AM Start. Something for everyone.
Please come and support us. 🤗
SEE YOU THERE 👍
We are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.
Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of … View moreWe are giving 10 lucky winners $1,000 cash each this Christmas, to enter all you have to do is make a purchase on Mags4Gifts. Spoil your loved ones by gifting them a subscription or treat yourself to your favourite magazine or newspaper subscription.
Mags4Gifts is your one-stop shop for all of your Christmas gifts with a range of over 50 products to choose from, including our popular NZ House & Garden, NZ Gardener, and TV Guide magazines.
Each product purchased on Mags4Gifts will automatically place you in the draw to win a cash prize - and the best part, there’s no limit on how many times you can enter! Promotion ends 8 Jan 2023, for T&Cs click here.
The team at Mags4Gifts
Email northland ngl@gmail or txt 0210772317
This is a collaborative support group with the Cancer Society and the Breast Cancer Support Trust run by Ria Kaire
People with ALL TYPES of cancer are welcome to come along and have a a coffee and a chat while making some wonderful craft items before Xmas....
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
