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Nat's MS Treatment in Russia

  • Strange Worries

      22 March 2018
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    Sometimes what we are worried about can be so strange, yet that is all you can fixate on. Like when I was learning to drive, I was so worried about having to use the indicators. Changing gears didn’t bother me, being in charge of a motor vehicle didn’t bother me, but I lost sleep over indicating 😂.

    So my treatment is chemo based. That’s the important part, that will annihilate my immune system and get rid of this monster brewing inside of me 👌. But it also means I will lose all my hair. This doesn’t phase me in the slightest, but my little girl Tovah (black beanie) is devastated. Hates the idea, it really upsets her and I was starting to feel like she was actually starting to get frightened knowing I was going to return BALD!!!

    It has been really upsetting 😢, I don’t want to come home and she is scared of me, it would absolutely break my heart 💔. So the Mum I am, sprung into action....I need to fix this!!!

    I suggested the girls cut my hair off together (it’s currently down to my bum 😳). Issy was keen, but Tovah, um nope 👎 so not happy with that idea.

    Mmmmm...then I saw these beanies, in adult and kid sizes 💡. I thought maybe, if we had matching beanies, and she could see that we all looked the same with them on, it would somehow make her not so worried 🤞. Worth a try!!!

    They arrived, we put them on.....she gazed at me, touched my face, and said “Mumma, apart from those whispy bits of hair at the back, this is just what you will look like, you look beautiful Mum” 😢😢😭

    So the deal will be, that when we first see each other on my return, we all wear our beanies. I will be wearing my black one that day, to match my Tovah. And I am praying that I will be met with 4 arms wrapped around my neck and no fear in sight 💙💜

    Sometimes what we worry about can be so strange....I’m hoping I have relieved her worry....this time. And hope I don’t have to wear the beanie permanently till my hair returns 😬

    Nat xx

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    • 23/03/2018 by Kate

      Hey Nattie, just a thought but have you got any pics of you when you shaved your head as a teenager? Maybe you could show her that?? Kate xx

  • The last piece of the puzzle...

      16 March 2018
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    And the last piece of the puzzle is confirmed.....

    One of New Zealand’s most successful female comedians, JAN MAREE, is going to be MC at my fundraiser 😍.

    Seriously....I have seen her in action and she is hilarious!!! 😂😂. This night has just got a whole lot funnier!!!

    With this line up....be prepared to have done your weeks worth of ab workouts and be leaving with sore cheeks!!! We sure won’t be short of a few laughs!!!

    Thanks so much Jan Maree 🙏 so looking forward to having you!!!!

    So we have....

    The talented Jessie Matthews - Live Music 🎶

    The Hypnoguy Toni Banfield - Hypnotist 👌

    From Ray White Rodney Fong - Auctioneer 🔨

    AND

    Comedian Jan Maree as MC 🎤

    What a line up 💞

    If you haven’t ordered your tickets, get onto it!!! This is gonna be a great night and I am really looking forward to seeing you all there and having a laugh!!

    Much love

    Nat xx

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  • GET YOUR TICKETS 🇷🇺🇷🇺

      14 March 2018
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    TICKET SALES WILL CLOSE 7 pm Thursday 5th April.

    Only 3 weeks left to get your tickets 😳.

    Which means it’s only 4 weeks until I get to see you all at my fundraiser evening 🇷🇺💞🇷🇺💞🇷🇺

    In the two weeks leading up to the night I will be posting some of the awesome donations up for auction!! So you can plan for what you may want to raise your paddle for 😉🙌🙌

    We will have EFTPOS on the night to make it easy to purchase your auction items. You will still need cash for the 2x raffles (and you won’t want to miss out on these) $5 per ticket.

    Time is flying by, which is so good, but equally as petrifying 😳 August is going to be here in no time 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

    Nat xx

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  • Getting my t’s crossed and i’s dotted

      7 March 2018
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    Yesterday was a bit rough...not sure if everyone gets so upset, or I was more so, because of the ‘risks’ of my upcoming treatment....but completing my WILL was not easy!!! 😢

    To be fair I should have done it a long time ago and suggest to everyone to get theirs done, if it’s not already!! 😊

    As horrible as it was, it feels good to have all my t’s crossed and i’s dotted. Fingers crossed it won’t be needed any time soon 🤞👊.

    On a more positive note, I have received a few more auction donations from some very generous people.....a huge thank you to...

    - House of Yoga

    - Liz Van Welie Aquatics

    - House of Travel

    (Mt Maunganui/Papamoa)

    - Helicopter Flight

    (Donated by Iconic Construction)

    - Handcrafted items

    (Sharron Vercoe)

    - Ebony Boutique

    (Ally Burrows)

    I appreciate your donations so much, thank you 🙏

    Hope to see you there, April 12th, have you got your tickets? 👏👏

    Nat xx

    (Terrible photo, had been a tearful day 😢)

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  • Future Goals!!!

      25 February 2018
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    The Generation Women’s Triathlon was on in the lovely Mt Maunganui today!! This event is all put together by a school friend of mine, Miranda Clark, and boy does she organise a phenomenal event!!

    The girls and I went along to support a friend of ours, Xena 😊. She did so well and we were really proud watching her.

    Was so much fun cheering from the sideline (I certainly still have my voice 🙈). But it got me thinking......how great would it be to have my girls holding a sign with MY name on it, cheering ME on!!!

    My treatment is going to give me this opportunity, all going well 🏊‍♂️🚲🏃‍♀️.

    This is going to be my goal....won’t be next year, but 2020, might just be achievable 🤔.

    One thing though, I CAN’T REALLY SWIM 😬. My kids have been training at Liz Van Welie Aquatics for years though and I’m sure Liz, Greg and their awesome crew would be able to work their magic on me too 😉.

    A special thanks to them also, for donating a voucher for 4 terms of learn to swim lessons for your child 😲. This will be up for auction at the fundraiser!!!! Thanks so much for your support guys, so appreciated 🙏

    To every one of the 800 women who participated in the event today, congratulations, every single one of you were AMAZING!!! 💞

    This just might be me one day 🤞

    Nat xx

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  • Who will be banging the hammer?

      22 February 2018
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    Well we asked and he said YES!!!!

    Proud to announce that RODNEY FONG from Ray White Tauranga will be our amazing auctioneer at the fundraiser 🙌🙌 🔨

    Going by this picture, he’s going to fit right in 😉. Will be amazing.

    So happy to have you Rodney, thank you so much for helping out and being a part of my fundraising journey!!!

    🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺$100,000🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

    Thank you to everyone that is sponsoring a table. The response has once again been amazing!!! I’ve certainly got a big job paying all of this kindness forward 😊💞

    Much love

    Nat xx

    https://www.facebook.com/RodneyFongRayWhite/

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  • Do you want to sponsor?

      20 February 2018
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    Hands up who would like to sponsor a table (or two 😜) at my fundraiser in April 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋‍♂️.

    Could be a personal sponsor or a business. Will be $100 per table. (This sponsorship does not give you tickets to the event, it is a donation/contribution to help cover costs of the fundraiser)

    Your name/business name would be on the table and would also be rolling on the screen at times throughout the event. I will also do shout outs on this page for all sponsors 😉.

    Please contact me via email at

    nat2russia@gmail.com

    would be so grateful for your contributions as this event business is a pricey one 👍.

    I would also like to thank the following people/businesses for their donations received in the last few weeks

    - Perfection Enhanced

    Feathered Hairstroke Brows

    (I will need this one myself 🙈)

    - Cadera Mexican Bar and Restaurant

    - Central Deli

    - Christine Grant Celebrant

    - Think Plus Coaching

    - Escape Masters

    And a special thank you.... sent all the way over from Australia 🇦🇺

    - QVS Products

    Katrina Mutton

    - St John First Aid Kit (its a whopper)

    Gwen Lenton

    Thank you to all you generous souls, I am just so grateful for each and every one of you 😊

    And there are many more donations on their way!!!! 👏👏

    Well I will be seeing over 200 of you so far at my fundraiser, thank you for your purchase of tickets.

    I know of quite a number of tables still being put together, so please don’t leave it too late as you may just miss out, numbers are limited.

    Thanks

    Nat xx

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  • Gal Pals 💞

      11 February 2018
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    Introducing these gorgeous ladies. 💞 They are my work colleagues. But they are so much more. They are my friends, have become my family and have been a huge huge part of my support network this past year.

    They covered my shifts for months. Driven me and my car home from work......twice 🙈. They have taken me to hospital appointments. They come visit. They have brought me meals. They have hugged me, wiped my tears ALOT!!!! They have made me laugh and they have laughed at me 😏. They have encouraged me. They help keep me strong. Who wouldn’t want girlfriends like this right?!? I’m lucky and I know it!! They have grabbed their boards and are riding this wave with me. Thanks so much gal pals 😘😘

    So, we had a work dinner tonight. I was tired, like really tired. Weather was terrible. Was half an hour late, but I did it!! Figured it would save me cooking and is always a great time with these girls, so I put on some mascara and out I went.

    This is the constant battle. If I did a thing yesterday, chances are I can’t do a thing today too. Constantly pushing through the fatigue is a painful task. Let’s hope I won’t be having to deal with this for too much longer 🤞

    6 1/2 months to go and counting down 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺

    In the meantime, I’ll just keep paddling 😉

    Nat xx

    Ps. Have you got your seat at my fundraiser? We are almost half sold out already 😳👏👏

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  • Nats MS Journey to Russia Fundraiser 🇷🇺

      28 January 2018
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    🙌🙌FUNDRAISER🙌🙌

    Check out the flyer above

    I would LOVE to see you all there!!!

    The night will start with the very talented Jessie Matthews performing for us while we mix and mingle. Cash bar available 🍾🍻

    After taking your seats you will be entertained by Tony Banfield, Master Hypnotist’s, hilarious show.

    There will also be an auction on the night and raffles up for grabs.

    Tickets are limited so get in quick so you don’t miss out 😬, it will be a fun and entertaining night!!!!

    Thanks so much everyone for all your support.

    Much love

    Nat xx

    IMPORTANT TICKET PURCHASING INFORMATION

    - All tickets will be purchased via our Givealittle page.

    - Only tickets purchased together, will be seated together (maximum of 10 per table). So you will need to make the one purchase for you and your friends.

    - Tickets are $50 each or a table of 10 is $450 (tickets can not be refunded).

    - When making a ticket purchase you will need to write the following on your Givealittle donation/ticket purchase...

    Fundraiser Ticket

    Name

    Number of tickets (or tables)

    - Please ensure that the email address you use to make this purchase is valid, as this is where your tickets will be sent to.

    - You will receive a confirmation email of your ticket purchase within 24hrs. Please let us know if you do not receive this by emailing us at nat2russia@gmail.com

    - All tickets will be emailed out on the 2nd and 3rd of April and each individual ticket will need to be printed and brought with you on the night.

    Each individual ticket is numbered and will have an allocated table.

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  • Getting the wobbles 😳

      25 January 2018
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    I have hit a few wobbles this past week 😢. Completely normal and there will no doubt be more wobbles over the next 7 months. What kicked it off was BOOKING MY FLIGHTS!!! Kinda just made everything real and I started questioning myself and my decision on treatment. BUT....happy to report that I’m back on track now.

    Probably time then to let everyone know who’s name is on that second ticket!!! So....it is with such a grateful heart and so many thanks to this wonderful lady, for leaving her husband and her own 2 children, to make the month long trip to Russia as my support. Tres you are an absolute gem babe!!! What a trip we are going on together. Thank you so much, I know how lucky I am to have a cousin like you!!! 💞💞

    Also, we are currently in the midst of preparing my fundraiser that I will be hosting myself!!!! It’s sure going to be an awesome night of fun and laughter. Once I have the final details confirmed I will let you all know and tickets will go on sale 😍. Would love to see you all there 😊.

    Once again, thank you for all your support thus far!!! Forever grateful.

    Nat xx

    Oh and this arrived today, a big ✔️ in that box woop woop!!!

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  • Preparation is starting 🇷🇺

      14 January 2018
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    This was me on Thursday....at the dentist. 😂😂

    I need to ensure all my teeth are in order prior to treatment as to avoid infections.

    Was pleasantly surprised, got one small filling (but not in the tooth I was expecting 😬). Had the full overhaul and all is how it should be 👍. Will go to the hygienist for a clean and book another clean for the week before I go. Can tick that box Woop woop 🙌.

    Talking of ticking boxes, I have a lot of them to get through. Lists are my friend. I have 5 different ones on the go at the moment, just for my trip.

    ✈️ ‘to get there’ list

    🏥 ‘medical checks/referral’ list

    💵 ‘fundraising’ list

    🛒 ‘food to take’ list

    🇷🇺 ‘essentials to purchase’ list

    Some are ALOT longer that others!!! Some have sub lists too!!! Fair to say my brain is somewhat overwhelmed 🤯, but I will start ticking those boxes and it will all fall into place.

    Bank meeting, flights and hotel booking, fundraising venue/date/details and confirming acts, are all on the agenda next week.

    223 days till I depart!!!

    I AM COUNTING DOWN!!!

    Thanks again to everyone making this a possibility for me!! 🙏 🙏🙏

    Nat xx

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  • Glad to see the back of that year!!!

      31 December 2017
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    Someone once told me “you are only dealt what you are tough enough to handle”. Well this year I was certainly tested and I surprised myself.

    I found strength I never knew I had. I have maintained patience through crippling tiredness. I wore a smile when I was crumbling inside. I have had to adjust to the new broken me.

    Fair to say, i have had my toughest year yet!!! I am happy to see this one turn over, that’s for sure. But bracing myself for the next.

    I made the decision to not take this one laying down, take control of what I am losing control of. Knock this MS on the head!!!

    2018 is going to be a tough year but it’s going to be MY year. I have more fight in me yet, this year was just my warm up!!! If I could fight this year, seeing no end, I can fight harder next year, seeing the end.

    Bring on HSCT Moscow August 27th 2018 🇷🇺

    A huge thanks to my personal support people this year. They have been there every step of the way. My Mum and Dad, Fitzy (my girls’ Daddy), Tres (my cousin), Chantelle (my rock, oh and my boss 😜). The bunch of awesome Augustine gals I work with.

    And last but not least, my best friend Lis, suffering herself this year with challenges greater than mine, but stilll there to pick me up 💞love ya girl (oh and Coles 😉), we are in this together guys 👊.

    A massive thanks to Kels and Nath for supporting me 🙏

    And a thank you to ALL of you!!!

    Wishing you all a Happy New Year!! May all your wishes come true, like you are making mine 😊.

    Nat xx

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  • ❤️❤️Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ❤️❤️

      27 November 2017

    Since sharing my video with you all on Thursday, and thanks to everyone that took the time to share it, I have been able to connect with so many HSCT patients from all over the world 💞.

    The common comments are ‘you won’t regret it’ - ‘best thing I ever did’ - ‘would do it all over again’. These words are just so comforting and just confirm to me, that I have indeed made a great decision!!!

    I have also connected with 3 fellow MS sufferers that will be in Russia at the same time as me 😍, how awesome is that?!?! We are going to kick MS’s butt together 👊.

    Again I would like to thank every single person for sharing my post, joining my page, sharing my story!!!

    Thank you for your extreme generosity, flooding in in so many ways, from so many people, from so many places! I’m completely lost for words 😊

    Thank you - thank you - thank you

    Nat xx

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