Paul's Health Updates

  • Purpose

    We have setup this site to be able to provide updates on my health status in an efficient manner. We appreciate all the support but have become aware that keeping everyone that wants updates informed is difficult. Posts will be short and factual. We remain happy to continue to take messages and calls directly but Read.

  • Christmas Greetings from “the chair”

    This post is coming to you from the treatment chair, I’m in the process of the 2nd round of treatment in this run.

    The side effects have been consistent with those experienced the last time I was on the same treatment program. Mild nausea, fatigue and a rash … the rash has been more concentrated to the face and head this time around and caused some issues sleeping. But when compared to the laundry list of possible side effects

    Blood tests following round one show a significant improvement in my CEA levels down to 18.5 from 131 a couple of weeks ago … to use the Oncologists words it is “an almost unbelievable drop”. Some good news in Christmas week and an encouragement to press on with the treatment.

    As 2025 draws to a close a huge thank you to all those that have prayed and supported us throughout the year. Its been one that has had a number of highlights along with the inevitable curveballs that life throws our way … things are always better with the support of wonderful friends and family … Thank You so much. I pray that over this Christmas season you will have time to slow down, spend time with loved ones and refresh as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ all those years ago.

    Merry Christmas to you all.

  • Back to Reality

    Following a wonderful extended period of time in the South Island enjoying time with Rachel and exploring the varied landscapes on offer its back to reality now. Todays post is being written from “the chair”. On return I had a scan and blood tests which showed my cancer had progressed while not on intravenous Chemo so was back on the hard stuff ASAP.

    They managed to get me in for treatment within a week which is a blessing, but its back to the 2 week cycle of Chemo. I am on the same drugs as I was last year with the hope that following a break they will be effective again. If not it will require a change in treatment in an attempt to control the progression.

    I am truly thankful for the time we had away … It was amazing on so many levels. A real reminder that time with those we love and creating memories is super important … Perhaps it shouldn’t have taken a cancer diagnosis to make it happen!!!

    I am mindful as we approach Christmas its been over a year on this journey, I am immensely grateful for all the support and prayer of so many, its been humbling. I pray that each of you over this Christmas period would experience the joy of the season and get time to rest and reflect with those you love

  • Home Stretch

    On the northerly leg of the journey to date we have;
    – Spent a number of days in the Caitlins … what a wonderful part of the world … beaches, waterfalls, wildlife.
    – Dunedin – the Orokonui sanctuary was worth the trip and entry fee
    – Oamaru – did the penguin experience with all the tourists
    – Lake Ohau – rode a short section of the Alps to Ocean trail … magic scenery
    – A couple of nights at Mount Cook – spectacular but endured 1 VERY windy night
    – Tekapo – bit of a relax to charge the batteries

    Under 2 weeks left now … off to Christchurch tomorrow. The time away has been wonderful and we continue to enjoy the wonder of the South but it will be great to reconnect with family and friends on returning.

  • Hit the Bottom

    Looking back since the last post we have managed to pack a fair bit in. The last week or so have been characterised by picking the most interesting/easy to get to/just easy parts of larger adventures. Yesterday we went to Bluff and did the “tourist bottom of NZ” photo, and today we actually did it properly at Slope Point which is apparently the furthest South you can get on the South Island so the journey back north now begins.

    Highlights since I last posted;
    – Lake Dunstan – including completing some of the cycle trail
    – Queenstown – spent a couple of nights, largely resting and recharging batteries (literally and metaphorically)
    – Te Anau/Manapouri – did lots of really neat stuff, a section of the Keepler Track, Doubtful Sound, Milford Sound, a section of Lake2Lake trail
    – Bluff
    – Invercargill – caught up with some colleagues

  • Week 2

    A little over 2 weeks into the South Island adventure. Since the last update in Kaiteriteri we have had a bit of weather to deal with …
    – The trip from Kaiteriteri to Westport took much longer than planned with the road through the Buller Gorge closed so it was a detour through Reefton.
    – In Westport and the surrounds we took in the Seal Colony and Lighthouse and made the stop at the Pancake Rocks on route to Greymouth.
    – We spent a couple of nights in Greymouth due to some pretty horrific weather.
    – We moved onto Hokitika where we spent a night in a DOC camping ground on Lake Kaniere … and woke to some stunning views.
    – From Hokitika we moved to Franz Josef where we arrived in time to get to the Glacier before the weather closed in again.
    – We decided to cut a track after a night while the Haast Pass was open (after a reasonably lengthy closure and in advance of another weather system). Despite the weather the road was OK although the effects of the storm and reason for the closure were evident. We were still able to take in a couple of waterfalls and the Blue Pools on route.
    – A night at lake Hawea and catching up with a colleague.
    – Onto Wanaka where we are currently stationed (having extended our stay here to 3 nights) … the snow started falling soon after arrival and kept falling … the locals tell us the snow line was much lower than the peak of the ski season. It made for spectacular views in the following days, we checked out the town, took a boat trip to see a lake on an island on the lake and took bike ride round the lake … this wasn’t entirely as planned given the height of the river … we forded a couple of sections but when we came to one that was a few feet deep we turned and retreated … all part of the adventure!!!
    – Off to Queenstown/Cromwell tomorrow.