UPDATE # 2 (11.06.17) - Chemo Round # 2 done and dusted. Kiwi is starting to feel human again. She has the definite Kojak look happening although she has not idea who he is. Thank you everyone for you wonderful donations to date. Kiwi is completely overwhelmed with the beautiful comments, generosity and support that she has received. What has been donated will help her out immensely over the next few months. Every little bit counts. I did originally set the target as $7000 but the more the merrier to help our friend on the road to recovery. Thanks once again.
UPDATE # 1 04.06.17. Kylie is not feeling to crash hot after chemo round number 2 and is confined to the lounge chair :(
Our tenacious and beautiful friend Kiwi Kylie has been dealt with the shocking news that she has breast cancer. Kylie was in New Zealand when she discovered a large lump and after numerous tests she was given the dreaded news that she has cancer. Kylie had not long finished competing in The Pioneer mountain bike challenge where Kylie and her team mate Sarah Kaehler won their age category and category over all. Kylie was to come back home to show off her gold medal but unfortunately her mum fell ill and Kylie extended her stay by 5 weeks to tend to her mums ailing health. The breast cancer diagnosis was not the news that Kylie, her family or any of us would have expected as Kylie was at her peak in health and fitness but Kylie being Kylie, took the news on board and has started her cancer treatment with determination and gusto.
The breast cancer that Kylie has is very aggressive so Kylie underwent an immediate left side mastectomy and lymph node clearance and is currently undergoing intensive chemotherapy. The type of chemo that Kylie is having is very strong and after her first chemo session, Kylie has already lost her hair. Kylie still has another 6 months of chemo sessions to undergo. She then has to endure 25 daily sessions of radiation treatment. Kylie should be finished her cancer treatment by January 2018 all going well. Once Kylie’s body has recovered from such demanding and exhausting treatment, she then needs to have a breast reconstruction.
At this stage, Kylie is coping well, however what she is about to endure over the next 6-8 months will have a huge emotional toll doubled with the financial burden of medical expenses. To date, Kylie’s medical appointments have already exceeded $4000 out of pocket. In addition to this Kylie has exhausted all of her sick and annual leave due to her extended stay in New Zealand whilst looking after her mum plus the sick leave she took for surgery and chemo treatments to date. For any future days that Kylie is unwell and can’t go to work, she won’t be getting paid. As the cancer treatment is going to be extremely taxing on Kylie’s body, Kylie will likely need to take time off work to focus on her health and to get better.
This page has been set up to hopefully ease the financial burden and emotional stress on Kylie so as she can focus on her treatment and to get through the next 6-8 months.
Please feel free to donate to support our Kiwi. Let’s help her to get through this hurdle and get back to doing what she loves doing best – riding her bike, winning medals, the occasional row and of course, keeping us all on our toes.
KYLIE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND HER THANKS TO WALSH OFFICE RACE CLUB FOR THEIR VERY GENEROUS DONATIONS.
THEIR MESSAGE: On behalf of Walsh Office Race Club we send this gift with our best wishes and our thoughts are with you and Jock during this journey. Please use in a way you want be it a bottle of wine or a bike tyre. It is entirely up to you.
