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Stephanie Paterson

Raise It

And we're done! Almost

28 February, last day of a month of the fundraising walking.

These kids, they're amazing, they are so incredibly brave and resilient and kind. Well, they are kind to me, they fight each other pretty good. The crazy thing is I was so relieved when they could fight again. For so long E & M would gently pretend to wrestle with Will, being careful and protective. For so long the house was quiet. We're back to wonderful chaos!

This month has far exceeded my expectations. Thank you.

Your support has been phenomenal, including the very amazing friends who walked from the city to meet me, thank you all!



F#ck Cancer

stuff

This is really hard, not the walking, the walking is just...walking.
The cancer stuff, the cancer stuff is hard.

About 0.6% of the 770 kids aged 14 and under diagnosed with cancer this year in Australia will be diagnosed with a type of Myelodysplastic Syndrome, which is what Will has/had/I dunno. 

Canteen supports young people 12-25 affected by cancer, either through a family member or their own diagnosis. Hopefully now past the acute treatment stage, my kids can engage and reengage with Canteen counsellors at any time until they're 25. Slipping in and out of the service as they need.

Today is clinic day, oncologists, blood tests and lots and lots of needles.

Being around so many other kids and families dealing with their own version of this shit show is hard. For some the news is good, some not good.

Today our news is good.

The dog is loving it!

Promises were made, that by the time the end of February come I would be loving the 5km. Well definitely not yet. But the dog is! All the instincts kicking in as she gleefully herds us out the door each morning.

The kids are being wonderful motivators, right up to the point of joining me.

95km down 45km to go.

I feel like we only found Canteen about 2/3 the way through our kid's cancer journey and wonder what difference being linked in earlier would have made. I just want to protect my kids and give them access to all the resources available to make things easier. And I know Will has tried to protect us too, having someone else to tell their thoughts and feelings and worries to is an important part of that. So many big things for kids to face and process, physically, emotionally and socially.  Canteen has provided counsellors for them to talk to and access to peers who understand and fun and engaging distractions. 

Thanks for helping Canteen provide supports like this to kids.

Mid - February, what a fricken journey huh?

February last year, Will started school again after missing the last term of 2021, online from a hospital bed in the oncology ward. Will had an infection in their central venous line, the tube that runs into their heart making it easier to give medication. Emergency surgery to remove it by one of our favourite doctors; doesn't everyone have a favourite paediatric surgeon?

That was a pretty significant step in Will's cancer journey. Out a little sooner than anticipated and lots of cannulas and hospital stays and tears after that (mine of course).

So different this year with all the kids back to face to face schooling and heading to highschool alongside brothers. No more cycolsporine eyebrows, no more puffy steroid face. The hair is back and while cancer treatment seems to be over we're still waiting to see if the consequences of that requires further treatment.

So while I whinge and complain to myself how much I hate this walking and how old and wrecked my body is, reminding myself of where we've been and what each of us has done on this journey and that through all of this we had each other (another kids together pic below) I know I can do this thing I signed myself up for because we've already done the hard stuff.

P.S. f#ck cancer

2/3 platelet donations go to cancer patients

First donation in 16mths. Last time they popped me in the corner as I cried the whole way through. Will was in the midst of chemo destroying their entire immune system and killing off all their bone marrow.

Still trudging away at the 5kms every morning, had my dog handler back this morning which made it fractionally easier. All your overwhelming support is keeping me going, thank you all so incredibly much.

F#ck cancer

Day 5 - even the dog struggled today

Today was hard, no satisfied smile at the end, pure trudge.  Longest, hardest, hottest walk today, only just made the 5km. This is what I expected it to be like, only hitting it today feels like a win. Still emotional doing the walks, I'm doing it for my kids and all the kids impacted.

Yesterday was World Cancer Day, about 2 in 5 people will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. 

F#ck Cancer


So it begins

OMG I totally did it!

Jingoes!

That's incredible! Thank you all so much for your support, I am a little overwhelmed.

I have realised today that I am so far out of the fitness loop that all my clothes are jeans and running shoes are hand me downs from my son. This is fine, I'll be fine.

Will is out of active treatment and doing really well with a new blood type following the stem cell transplant.

All the kids are still linked in and active with Canteen. I can't imagine being a triplet and one of you getting cancer at 11. So grateful for the sibling support and online access. I too am linked in with a 'Cancer Navigator' who's been just brilliant.

This is one of my favourite photos, back together again after 43 days in full isolation following transplant.

Thank you Canteen

Canteen has been such an incredible support to Will and their brothers, particularly this last 12 months.

F#ck cancer so much!

I totally don't think I'm capable of doing this, 5km wouldn't have been an issue a few years ago but my fitness and body are so different now. But that's also the point. Childhood cancer is hard and organisations like Canteen make some of it less hard.

If you can, please support this crazy thing I'm going to do for a very worthy cause.


Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$4,143

My Goal

$4,000

Select amount to donate

$45
can help a young person access life-changing supporting 24/7 through Canteen Connect
$65
can help a young person attend a drop in event at their local Canteen office
$90
can help a young person work thought their cancer experience with a specialised counsellor
$180
can help a young person attend our in-person programs

Or enter an amount

$
Donate

Thank you to my Sponsors

$520

Sophy Hsu

$263.75

Nm

You go girl! Such a wonderful thing to do, to give back. Can I join you one morning?

$214

Burnett Speech Pathology

Just snuck in! Awesome job guys xxxxx

$211

Rachel W

Love you, sis.

$189.90

Prudence Gregory

Well done Steph Love prue

$126.60

David Paterson

i love you. big step outside our comfort zone, but whats new. see you out there

$116.05

Your Friends At Knowmore

Dear Steph and Family, thinking of you all. Your friends at knowmore

$105.50

Gina Paterson

Well done on making it, here's a little top up that hopefully gets you close to the 4K mark!

$105.50

Jeanette Wiley

Way to go, Steph! You're amazing!

$105.50

Bebe

$105.50

Meg Hooper

All power to you Steph. F#ck cancer so so much. Much love. x

$105.50

Gina Paterson

Go Steph! Let me know if you need a walking buddy!

$105.50

Kelly & Stu

We can be virtual 5k buddies with you - let’s do this. F@ck cancer.

$105.50

The Haywards

Well done guys what a great initiative xx

$105.50

Ballantyne-wyers

You rock! Very proud of you and love you lots xxx

$105.50

Sarah Duval

Go Steph! Happy to do 5km with you too x

$100

Peggy Weeks

$94.95

Alessandro Meucci

$94.95

Amy

Love ya guts, ya gutsy woman x

$94.95

Lauren

You're smashing it Steph! Amazing work for an amazing service.

$94.95

Annabel Kelly

Best wishes I'm sure your children will be proud of you.

$90

Kate & Mika Heinonen

Huge hugs to you all xx

$68.58

Louise Harlow

Go Steph, you're a total legend!

$65

Emma Taylor

Well done!!!! Sorry I was so.late to see this on fb. You guys are the best! xxx

$65

Dimity Mapstone

Big love to you and your family Steph ❤️

$52.75

Kerri

$52.75

Anonymous

You’re a trooper doing this in the heat! Wonderful effort.

$52.75

Anonymous

$52.75

Helen Gunter

Go Steph, you rock! Also fuck cancer.

$50

Jacinta Bennett

You just continue to amaze me Steph! All the best with the 5kms a day. Such a worthy cause and if anyone can do it you can!

$50

Ansam

Steph you’ve got this!!! Thinking of you and the boys, f*ck cancer x

$50

Anonymous

Lots of love to Will and family, glad he's doing well xxx

$47.48

Philippa Hambling

$47.48

Clodie Vogel

Well done Steph! I m with you…… F#ck cancer!!!

$47.48

Conrad Taylor

$47.48

Annika And Bernie

Sending all the good vibes and love

$47.48

Raech

If you want a walking buddy I would love to join you. Love ya. So good to see you Xmas 2022 photos. Looking good!!

$47.48

Tim Butler

$45

Margaret Towell

Good luck Steph

$29.54

Rose Hoger

Congratulations! You made it!!! You are all sensational xo

$21.10

Anonymous

$16

Anonymous

$10.55

Roba Rayan

$10.55

Sian Griffiths

$5.28

Roba Rayan

Well done. So proud of you guys

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