Rare but Aggressive Cancer
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Tough times Rising to the for family P3 challenge P8 Manukau Courier Thursday, April 14, 2016 YOUR PLACE, YOUR PAPER ‘Just follow your heart’ Couple joined by children and family at hospice wedding SAMANTHA SMITH It’s taken 23 years, four children and terminal cancer for Wendy Fred and Savali Ieli to finally tie the knot. And it’s all thanks to the gener- osity of Totara Hospice South Auckland. Wendy has been using Totara Hospice’s services on and off since Wendy and Savali have their first March 2015 after she was diag- hug as man and wife. nosed with terminal bile duct can- cer. ‘‘Your life isn’t yours Rare but to give up on, it belongs to the man aggressive upstairs.’’ Savali Ieli cancer The Mangere couple had Bile duct cancer is a rare but decided to wed just two days aggressive type of cancer. before the ceremony. Wendy’s The bile ducts are a series of condition had worsened so the thin tubes that reach from the hospice took over. liver to the small intestine. ‘‘Hospice said they would do The major function of the bile everything,’’ 36-year-old Wendy ducts is to move a fluid called bile says. from the liver and gall bladder to ‘‘We thought we better do the small intestine, where it helps something now before something digest the fats in food. happens. I am getting sicker and In 2014 63 people were maybe one day I may not diagnosed with biliary tract recover.’’ cancers which include bile duct The hospice team came to the cancer. party and provided the venue, cel- ebrant Shellie Prime, Wendy’s ❚ Go to manukaucourier.co.nz to wedding dress, suits, flowers, food watch Wendy and Savali become and cake. Wendy Fred and Savali Ieli are married by celebrant Shellie Prime at a special ceremony arranged by Totara Hospice husband and wife. Three of the couple’s children South Auckland. PHOTO: SAMANTHA SMITH and other family members were there to support them at the cer- they just kept putting marriage married without the great people strong woman and she is fighting. ‘‘Your life isn’t yours to give up emony. off. at the hospice. ‘‘I thought she was going to on, it belongs to the man upstairs. Wendy’s advice to others ‘‘If you have the right man or ‘‘We didn’t do this for our- give up on life but she didn’t – she ‘‘Live life to the fullest. Stand waiting to get married is to follow woman in front of you, just follow selves, we did this for the chil- is fighting very strongly. by your partner, give them every- your heart. your heart – don’t put it off like I dren, so that my children can ‘‘My advice to couples out thing they want, make them The couple met at a Samoan did.’’ grow up and know that this is there that are going through the happy. But most importantly keep nightclub in Mangere when they Her new husband says they how you do things.’’ same thing as us is to not to give on smiling, rain or shine, keep on were teenagers. But Wendy says wouldn’t have been able to get Savali says his wife is a very up. Life is too short to give up on. doing what you think is best.’’ GET SKILLS TO TAKE YOU PLACES. Turn your passion for tourism into experience and knowledge employers want. With FREE* study options available, there’s no better time to start. Apply now and study local at MIT Manukau. Start 9 May. manukau.ac.nz | 0800 62 62 52 ^Potential salary is indicative only, source: careers.govt.nz. *Entry criteria apply. Visit website for more information. MKT106_07MC 2 MANUKAU COURIER, APRIL 14, 2016 stuff.co.nz YOUR PLACE, YOUR PAPER did you know... 1. HIP HOP 824,000 Street Dance New Zealand marks its the number of FROM 10th anniversary with a show at the international visitors that Vodafone Event Centre on April 27. flocked to Auckland this THE Tickets $20 from ticketdirect.co.nz. summer – a new record EDITOR 2. STITCH UP The Stitches & Craft Show runs April ongratulations to 28-30, 10am-4.30pm at the ASB Cnewlyweds Wendy and Showgrounds in Greenlane. Savali Ieli (see our P1 story). Exhibitions, speakers, activities and CONTENTS It was lovely to read of their 1 stalls. Tickets from $11 at News .................................................................. 3-13 marriage ceremony under what craftevents.co.nz or on the door. Thanks a Bunch .............................................. 4 must be very trying Conversations ..................................................6 circumstances. Congratulations, 3. DOGS UNITE Out & About ......................................................9 too, to Totara Hospice South A fundraising walk for Blind Look Who’s Talking ....................................10 Auckland for putting on their Foundation guide dogs runs April 17, What’s On ............................................................12 wedding for them. What an 10.30am at the Auckland Domain. Sport ...............................................................14-23 incredibly generous and heart- Go to dogsunite.org.nz to register. warming thing to do for a couple who are going through so much. to do list 4. HOLIDAY FUN This newspaper is Not only is the hospice helping 2 3 Step back 100 years and bake Anzac subject to NZ Press Wendy and her family cope with biscuits on the coal range at the Council procedures. her illness but it took the pressure historic property Highwic. Sessions A complaint must first off them and arranged the whole run April 20 and April 29 at 11am and be directed in writing, within one month of ceremony on their behalf. 3pm both days. Kids $8 adults $10; publication, to the editor’s email address. They don’t arrange weddings ph 524 5729. If not satisfied with the response, the all that often but we know the complaint may be referred to the hospice team of staff and 5. BIG SHOW Press Council. PO Box 10-879, volunteers carry out many more Jesus Christ Superstar runs April The Terrace, Wellington 6143. acts of kindness every day. They 30-May 14 at the Harlequin Musical Or use the online complaint form at www.presscouncil.org.nz Please do such good work looking after 4 5 Theatre in Howick. Tickets from include copies of the article and all and caring for people who are iticket.co.nz. correspondence with the publication. enduring the worst of times. They are to be admired for their warmth and generosity of spirit Contact us OFFICE: 272 7017. ADDRESS: 33 Birmingham Rd, East Tamaki. PO Box 76-400, Manukau. EDITOR: Judith Tucker 272 5863 or [email protected]. and thanked for their SALES MANAGER: Kevin Breen 272 5889 or [email protected]. ADVERTISING SALES INQUIRIES: 272 7017. CLASSIFIEDS: 525 commitment to our community. 2100 or [email protected]. DELIVERIES: 525 2022, [email protected] or www.snadelivery.co.nz. 73,901 Audited Circulation (ABC for 12mths to They certainly deserve all the 31 Dec 15). Delivered each Tuesday & Thursday to: Clendon, Clover Park, Favona, Flat Bush, Goodwood Heights, Hill Park, Homai, Mahia Park, support we can give them. Mangere Bridge, Mangere Central, Mangere East, Manukau Central, Manukau Heights, Manurewa, Manurewa East, Middlemore, Otahuhu, Otara, – Judith Papatoetoe, Peninsula Park, Puhinui, Randwick Park, The Gardens, Totara Heights, Wattle Downs, Weymouth, Wiri. AACHELCHEL HHotot YYogaoga $49 for 30 days Unlimited beginners hot yoga - Two beautiful studios, 45 classes a week* SUBSCRIBE Achieve your fi tness goals AND SAVE Give Achel Hot Yoga a go. UP TO 34% No cancellation fees & no joining fees Botany Achel Studio 272A Ti Rakau Drive, Auckland *Offer only available Manukau Achel Studio to first time students on 1 Jack Conway Avenue your first day of practice at Manukau, Auckland Achel Hot Yoga Brought to you by P: 09 263 5353 / 021 509401 E: www.achel.co.nz 7003915AV Aotea Finance ® We know everyone needs a little help sometimes. Every loan drawn down goes into our monthy Branch draw to WIN a $500 Prezzy® card. EXPIRES END OF 4693 Don’t miss out – apply for your loan today and you could walk away with an extra $500 in our monthly draw. One draw per month per branch. Visit www.aoteainance.co.nz for terms and conditions of prize draws. CASH LOANS AVAILABLE 0800 268 325 www.aoteafinance.co.nz stuff.co.nz APRIL 14, 2016, MANUKAU COURIER 3 Thon Lam was to have gone on trial at the High Court at Auckland this month. PHOTO: FAIRFAX NZ Killer is found insane A man who stabbed a woman to death during a psychotic episode has been found not guilty of mur- der on the grounds of insanity. Thon Lam, 38, was in the grip of psychosis when he killed Davina Jane Nguyen on April 19, 2015, at home in Papatoetoe. In a judgment released last Papatoetoe woman Toakase Gibbons, pictured with her niece Latu Nuku, wants to be able to move her family out of the small industrial unit they call home. week, Justice Simon Moore said PHOTO: CHRIS HARROWELL Lam would be treated as a ‘‘special patient’’ and indefinitely detained in care. His trial, set down for April, has been can- celled. Desperate mum ‘needs help’ Lam stabbed Nguyen to death with a knife in the kitchen of the property where they both CHRIS HARROWELL All she has to prepare her fam- lived. ‘TOUGH SITUATION’ ily’s meals on is a small cooker His offending came a couple of There’s no kitchen, shower, wash- and she washes several of her months after he had switched his ing machine or stove. Ministry of Social Development her family is under way, he says.