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Boost IV Auckland, 24 Bracken Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland (2026)

04/11/2026

MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2026

DAY FOUR – TAKING THE BRAKES OFF MY IMMUNE SYSTEM!

Today was another big milestone in my cancer journey.

My first dose of checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy!

Today's treatment involved two medications — Ipilimumab and Nivolumab.

Now, these aren't medications routinely used together for my particular type of breast cancer, but they are being investigated in combination with personalised cancer vaccines.

And the science behind them is absolutely fascinating!

SO WHAT EXACTLY ARE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS?

Our immune systems are incredibly clever. They have built-in checks and balances to prevent our immune cells from attacking healthy tissue.

Think of these as the brakes on your immune system.

Unfortunately, cancer can exploit these natural braking mechanisms to escape immune attack.

Checkpoint inhibitors work by blocking specific signals that restrain immune cells, potentially allowing them to respond more effectively against cancer.

SO HOW DOES THIS WORK WITH MY CANCER VACCINE?

My personalised cancer vaccine is designed to teach my immune system to recognise specific mutations found within my cancer.

The checkpoint inhibitors are intended to complement this process by reducing some of the signals that suppress immune activity.

In simple terms:

The Vaccine: Aims to teach my immune system what to recognise.

The Checkpoint Inhibitors: Aim to release some of the immune system's brakes, giving immune cells a better opportunity to respond.

The Goal: Encourage a stronger, more targeted immune response against my cancer.

It's important to understand that this combination is still experimental in my particular cancer setting. We don't yet know whether it will improve my outcome.

But understanding how these different approaches might work together is one of the most interesting parts of this journey.

OUR BODIES ARE EXTRAORDINARY!

One thing I never stop being amazed by is just how technically complicated the human body is.

Every second, our bodies are constantly adjusting, balancing, repairing and responding to what's happening around us.

When we're healthy, much of this happens without us even realising.

But when you're living with a disease such as cancer, the biological puzzle becomes incredibly complicated.

There is still so much we don't understand.

And with advances in molecular medicine, genetic testing, immunology and artificial intelligence, researchers are finding new ways to investigate cancer biology.

The more I learn, the more I realise how much there is still to discover!

MY TREATMENT IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE VACCINE

My personalised vaccine is only one part of a much broader treatment programme.

Alongside my prescribed oncology medications and treatment here, I place a strong emphasis on supportive care at home.

For me, this includes:

Balanced nutrition, with attention to my individual health needs.

‍♀️ Regular movement and maintaining physical strength.

Good-quality sleep and recovery.

Supporting normal lymphatic function through appropriate movement and care.

Infrared sauna and hyperbaric oxygen sessions, where appropriate and medically cleared.

Working with practitioners to understand my cancer's molecular pathways and explore whether there are evidence-based opportunities to target them.

Supporting hydration, digestion and the body's normal liver and kidney functions.

Not all these approaches are proven to slow cancer or improve vaccine effectiveness, but I believe it's important to consider my overall health and quality of life while receiving cancer treatment.

The goal is to support my body while my medical team works to control the cancer.

SO HOW DID TODAY'S IMMUNOTHERAPY GO?

I won't pretend I wasn't nervous!

This was my first experience receiving checkpoint inhibitors, and I know these medications can cause significant side effects.

But thankfully, today's administration went smoothly.

A little tired, a little dizzy, but otherwise feeling pretty good!

First checkpoint inhibitor treatment — DONE!
Afterwards as a reward Coffee and Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Sugar Free Pistachio Pancakes. Some days you just need a reward to make things feel all worth while!

ONE THING I'VE LEARNED – IMMUNOTHERAPY REQUIRES RESPECT

Just because you feel fine immediately after treatment doesn't mean you can forget about potential side effects.

Checkpoint inhibitors can cause the immune system to attack healthy organs and tissues, sometimes days, weeks or even months after treatment.

The effects can occur with low doses too, which is why careful monitoring is essential.

My medical team has discussed the importance of recognising symptoms early and knowing when to seek medical attention.

I also make a point of paying close attention to what is normal for my body.

And whenever possible, I prefer to avoid introducing several unfamiliar treatments on the same day, so it is easier to recognise potential reactions.

Although, with immunotherapy, delayed effects can still make identifying the cause challenging.

Being proactive about treatment also means being proactive about safety.

WHY AM I SHARING ALL OF THIS?

Because I know firsthand how overwhelming cancer can be.

Seven years into my metastatic cancer journey, I have spent countless hours researching, asking questions, exploring options and trying to understand this incredibly complicated disease.

It is also why I created Boost IV Health & Wellness and why we are developing Lighthouse Health & Wellness Trust.

Through our Cancer Terrain and Cancer Concierge Programmes, we aim to help patients better understand their options, coordinate additional supportive care and navigate complex health information alongside their oncology teams.

Nobody should feel they have to figure everything out alone.

AND SO MY JOURNEY CONTINUES...

Another treatment completed. Another experience behind me. Another step forward.

I don't know what the coming weeks or months will bring.

But I do know that I will continue asking questions, learning, monitoring my health and making carefully considered decisions with my medical team.

I am not looking for miracles. I am looking for more time, more good days and more opportunities to LIVE.

Thank you to everyone following my journey. There is still so much more to share over the coming weeks!

Want to learn more about our Cancer Terrain or Cancer Concierge Programmes?

Email: [email protected]

www.boostiv.co.nz

Knowledge Creates Choices. Hope Keeps Us Moving Forward.

03/11/2026

MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – TUESDAY 3 NOVEMBER 2026

💉 VACCINE NUMBER TWO – 32 INJECTIONS, A WHOLE LOT OF PAIN, AND ONE VERY BIG REASON TO KEEP GOING! 💙

Today I received my second round of my personalised cancer vaccine.

And I'm going to share the honest truth with you.

THIS HURTS. A LOT!

16 injections in each arm. That's 32 injections in total, every week, as part of this stage of my vaccine programme.

The stinging is absolutely insane. It's not something you would ever willingly put yourself through unless you had a very good reason.

I've been told I'm the only person so far who hasn't cried during the injections. Believe me, that doesn't mean they don't hurt! 😬

But when you're living with advanced cancer, when your treatment options are becoming more limited and you can feel the walls starting to close in, you find yourself willing to endure things you never imagined you could.

SEVEN YEARS OF LIVING WITH STAGE IV CANCER

This December marks seven years since my metastatic cancer journey began.

When I was first diagnosed, I was given approximately one year to live.

Here I am, nearly seven years later.

That's five to six more years than I was originally told I might have.

And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

But there's something about living with cancer for this long that people don't always see.

It's not just the treatments, the medications, the blood tests or the scans.

It's the fear.

It's living from one three-month scan to the next.

It's wondering whether the next scan will bring relief or completely change your world again.

It's trying to plan a future when you don't know how much future you have.

And sometimes, somewhere amongst all of that, you realise that you've spent so much time trying to stay alive that you've had very little opportunity to simply LIVE.

BUT I NEVER STOPPED LIVING OR TRYING.

During these seven years, I've moved homes, cared for people I love, looked after my beautiful rescue animals and continued trying to build a meaningful life.

I also started Boost IV Health & Wellness, a business dedicated to helping people navigate difficult health journeys, while fighting my own.

There have been days when I've been exhausted, frightened, overwhelmed and unsure how I was going to keep everything going.

But I kept going.

I kept researching.

I kept asking questions.

I kept looking for answers.

And perhaps most importantly, I refused to accept that the original prognosis had to define everything I did with the time I had left.

I often wonder how differently my life might have unfolded if I'd simply stopped trying.

Instead, my journey has taken me through years of research, different treatment approaches, extraordinary medical professionals and now all the way here for a personalised cancer vaccine.

SO WHY AM I PUTTING MYSELF THROUGH THIS?

Because I want more than just another scan.

I want more time.

I want more good days.

I want to enjoy the people I love, my family, my animals and the life I've worked so hard to build.

I want to wake up without cancer being the very first thought in my head.

I want to spend less time surviving and more time actually living.

And while I know this vaccine is an emerging treatment with no guarantees, I am hopeful that it may offer another opportunity to help control my disease.

Sometimes hope means being brave enough to explore something new, even when you're terrified of the outcome.

ONE THING CANCER HAS TAUGHT ME

You never truly understand how precious your health is until you begin losing it.

The things we take for granted — energy, freedom, being able to plan a holiday, waking up without pain or simply having a normal day — suddenly become the things you wish for most.

And sometimes the effort required just to keep going is enormous.

This journey has also reinforced why I created Boost IV and why we are now establishing Lighthouse Health & Wellness Trust.

I want other people facing serious illness to have access to information, support, care coordination and opportunities to explore appropriate additional options alongside their medical treatment.

Because nobody should have to navigate such an overwhelming journey completely alone.

CANCER VACCINE NUMBER TWO – DONE! ✅

Tomorrow brings another big day.

🔥 Localised hyperthermia, followed by my first session of immunotherapy as part of this personalised treatment programme.

Another step into the unknown, but one I'm approaching with hope, determination and a very supportive medical team.

I'll keep sharing the treatments, the science, the challenges, the painful moments and hopefully some encouraging results along the way.

I'm not doing all of this just to survive cancer. I'm doing it because I want the chance to LIVE again. 💙

Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey, sent messages, offered encouragement or simply taken the time to read my posts. It means more than you realise.

BOOST IV HEALTH & WELLNESS | CANCER TERRAIN SPECIALISTS

If you or someone you love is navigating cancer and would like help understanding additional supportive care options, our Cancer Terrain and Cancer Concierge Programmes are designed to help you explore your options and coordinate care alongside your oncology team.

📩 [email protected]

🌐 www.boostiv.co.nz

Knowledge creates choices. Hope keeps us moving forward.

02/11/2026

MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – Day Four MONDAY 2 NOVEMBER

🔥 A BIG DAY, SOME HARD REALITIES & WHY I'M NOT WAITING FOR CANCER TO GET WORSE BEFORE EXPLORING MORE OPTIONS!

Today was a big day, looking at my treatment schedule, tomorrow and the rest of this week are going to be even busier!

When I started this journey, my main purpose was to receive my personalised cancer vaccine. But I also made a decision to explore additional supportive and complementary treatments that may work alongside my current cancer treatment plan.

My goal is simple: Give myself the best possible opportunity to make a difference to this disease.

THE REALITY OF MY LATEST SCAN

My October CT scan has confirmed that my cancer is present not only in my lungs but also along the pleural lining surrounding my lungs.

The changes over approximately four months have been confronting.

One of the biggest lessons I have learned, both as a cancer patient and through running Boost IV Health & Wellness, is this:

There is no guarantee that waiting until you're worse before exploring further options is the right approach.

Cancer can be incredibly unpredictable.

You can have encouraging blood results, reassuring symptoms and periods where everything appears stable — and then suddenly, the picture changes.

It can feel like cancer has gone from ZERO to HERO overnight!

This doesn't mean every new treatment is right for every patient. But it reinforces why I believe in being proactive, asking questions, monitoring carefully and understanding your options before you urgently need them.

SO WHAT DID TODAY LOOK LIKE?

🩸 1. Blood Testing

We started with further blood tests following a significant rise in my CRP and inflammation markers last week.

With so many treatments underway, it's important to monitor what my body is doing and investigate whether inflammation is related to infection, treatment or something else.

2. Localised Hyperthermia – Lungs & Pleura

Next was another session of hyperthermia.

This time, we adjusted the positioning of the treatment to focus on my lung and pleural areas while trying to reduce the skin irritation and burning sensation I experienced across my chest previously.

The aim is to create controlled thermal stress within the targeted area and explore whether this may complement my vaccine and immune-focused treatment programme.

The science around these combinations is interesting, although their benefit in my particular situation is not yet established.

2.1 The IV - This Iv i have had today was to work in conjunction with the Hyperthermia. The IV used has been around in Europe used in many clinics for over 20 years but again has not been approved for use in cancer. My investigations lead me to make the decision to try this and add it into my programme alongside my Hyperthermia sessions.

3. Preparing for Tomorrow's Cancer Vaccine

Next came the application of the immune-stimulating cream to prepare the skin for tomorrow's personalised cancer vaccine administration.

Another important step in the programme!

4. Fulvestrant – My Monthly Hormonal Cancer Treatment

And finally, my Fulvestrant injections.

I started this medication approximately two months ago as part of my ongoing treatment for hormone-receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Now, I have to say, these injections are NOT for the faint-hearted!

Two large-volume injections, administered slowly and deep into the muscles.

And when you don't have much natural padding, they are incredibly painful!

For me, the injection-site pain lasts around four days, followed by ongoing leg and back discomfort throughout the month.

It's certainly not something I look forward to repeating!

Interestingly, there are newer oral endocrine treatments being developed and introduced internationally that may provide alternatives for certain patients.

I'm following these developments closely and will be discussing what may be appropriate and accessible for me with my oncology team.

Because treatment isn't just about controlling cancer — quality of life matters too.

AND HOW DID THE DAY END?

With one very strong coffee!

Sometimes, after a day of blood tests, hyperthermia, IV infusions, injections and discussions about cancer, all you want is a good coffee and a few moments to feel like a normal human being again. ☕

WHY DO I KEEP SHARING THIS JOURNEY?

Because I want other people facing cancer to know that they can ask questions, seek further opinions and explore what additional support may be appropriate for them.

This is one of the reasons I created Boost IV Health & Wellness and our Cancer Terrain and Cancer Concierge Programmes.

We help patients navigate testing, understand additional supportive options, connect with appropriate practitioners and coordinate care alongside their oncology teams.

And through Lighthouse Health & Wellness Trust, our mission is to help make support more accessible for those facing difficult health journeys.

MY MESSAGE TODAY

Don't wait until you're overwhelmed to start asking questions.

Be informed. Be proactive. Build your team. Understand your options.

And remember, hope is important, but hope supported by knowledge, careful planning and good medical care is even more powerful.

Tomorrow is another vaccine day, and this week has plenty more in store!

I'll continue sharing the good, the difficult, the science and the reality of what this journey involves.

Thank you to everyone following along and supporting me. It means more than you know.

For information about our Cancer Terrain Programmes or Cancer Concierge Services:

[email protected]

🌐 www.boostiv.co.nz

💙 Knowledge Creates Choices. Hope Keeps Us Moving Forward.

29/10/2026

MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – DAY THREE!

🔥 Turning Up the Heat on Cancer!

Today was another interesting day in my cancer treatment journey, this time we are turning up the heat — quite literally!

Today's treatment: Localised Hyperthermia targeting my lungs and pleural area.

Now, I have to admit, hyperthermia was NEVER something I particularly wanted to try! 😂

I had my reservations, and the thought of deliberately heating an area of my body containing cancer certainly didn't sound appealing.

But one of the biggest lessons I am learning here is the importance of understanding how different treatments may work together, rather than looking at each treatment in isolation. Also being completely flexible and not fixed in your head on your ideas of whats best. Ive pushed myself alot so far and it's only day three!

After discussing the science, the proposed benefits and how hyperthermia might complement my personalised cancer vaccine programme with my medical team, I decided it was something worth exploring.

SO WHY HYPERTHERMIA?

Hyperthermia uses carefully controlled heat, with the aim of creating stress within cancerous tissue while limiting damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

Researchers are also investigating whether hyperthermia can influence the tumour microenvironment, encourage immune activity and potentially improve responses to certain cancer treatments.

And here's the really interesting part!

My team is exploring whether combining hyperthermia with my personalised cancer vaccine and other immune-focused treatments may help encourage a shift from immunologically "cold" tumours towards "hotter", more immune-active tumours.

This is the goal, not a guaranteed outcome, but the potential interaction between these approaches is fascinating!

SO HOW DID THE TREATMENT GO?

Today's session lasted one hour, with carefully controlled heating focused on my lung and pleural tumour areas.

And do you know what?

It wasn't nearly as terrible, difficult or painful as I had imagined!

In fact, halfway through I was wondering what on earth I had been so worried about!

I experienced some local sensitivity around my chest afterwards, but so far it has been manageable.

Day One of Hyperthermia — DONE!

My current plan is to have three sessions per week, subject to how I tolerate treatment and my team's ongoing assessment.

And we aren't stopping there!

Over the coming weeks, I'll be exploring several other interesting supportive approaches that my medical team believes may complement my overall treatment strategy.

The aim is to create a carefully coordinated programme that gives my immune system the best possible opportunity to recognise and respond to my cancer.

Whether these combinations will improve my outcome remains to be seen, but I'm determined to understand the science and share what I learn.

WHY AM I SHARING MY JOURNEY?

Because cancer care can be incredibly complicated, overwhelming and frightening.

There is a world of research, emerging treatments and supportive care options that many patients may never hear about.

This is exactly why I am so passionate about Boost IV Health & Wellness and our Cancer Terrain Programmes and Cancer Concierge Services.

We help patients explore additional supportive options, understand testing and coordinate care with appropriate healthcare professionals, alongside their existing oncology treatment.

And through Lighthouse Health & Wellness Trust, we're working towards making greater support accessible to people facing cancer and other health challenges.

My message today?

Never stop asking questions. Never stop learning. And never underestimate the value of having a supportive, knowledgeable team around you.

Stay tuned — there is SO much more coming over the next month!

I'll keep sharing the treatments, the science, the good days, the challenging days and everything I learn along the way.

📩 Interested in our Cancer Terrain or Cancer Concierge Programmes?

Email: [email protected]

🌐 www.boostiv.co.nz

💙 Knowledge creates choices. Hope keeps us moving forward.

29/10/2026

MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – DAY TWO (PART TWO!) 💉

A little pain, a little inflammation and a whole lot of HOPE! 💪💙

I thought I would share a quick update and a few photos showing how my injection sites are looking after receiving my first personalised cancer vaccine.

The injection in my arm?

Well, I won't pretend it didn't hurt! 😂 But surprisingly, by the evening there was very little to see at the injection site. A little discomfort, but otherwise looking good!

The injection in my stomach?

Now this is where things are getting interesting!

Within a relatively short time, I started developing a noticeable local reaction around the injection site.

This is something my medical team is monitoring closely. With this particular vaccine protocol, they are looking for a local immune response, which can sometimes take weeks or even months to develop.

So seeing a reaction beginning so quickly is encouraging!

Of course, an injection-site reaction doesn't tell us whether the vaccine is working against my cancer, but it's an interesting early sign of local inflammation.

Now for the next challenge — turning a COLD tumour HOT! 🔥

The aim of my treatment programme is to help my immune system better recognise cancer cells and encourage immune activity within the tumours.

It's fascinating science, and although the outcome is still unknown, I'm excited to be learning about it firsthand.

My immune system has a big job ahead of it — and I'm cheering it on every step of the way!

Why am I sharing all of this?

Because there is so much to learn about cancer, personalised medicine and the different approaches being researched around the world.

Through Boost IV Health & Wellness, our Cancer Terrain Programmes and Cancer Concierge Services help patients navigate testing, additional supportive care and specialist options alongside their conventional oncology treatment.

And through Lighthouse Health & Wellness Trust, our mission is to help make support and care more accessible to those who need it.

📩 Want to know more? [email protected]

🌐 www.boostiv.co.nz

🇪🇸 More updates coming soon!

One day at a time. One treatment at a time. And always moving forward with hope. 💙

28/10/2026

🇪🇸 MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – DAY TWO

Tuesday – My First Personalised Cancer Vaccine! 💉

Today was a very important milestone in my cancer journey overseas — the administration of my first personalised cancer vaccine!

I attended the clinic for my first treatment, which involved two injections followed by a further injection into my stomach.

Everything went smoothly, and I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful medical team here. The staff have been incredibly kind, caring and supportive, making this experience feel a little less daunting.

Once the vaccine was administered, we discussed the treatment plan for the remainder of the week.

The focus now is on additional treatments designed to stimulate and support my immune response, with the aim of helping my immune system recognise and target cancer cells.

One of the fascinating things I am learning is the concept of turning a "cold tumour" into a "hot tumour."

In simple terms, a cold tumour has relatively little immune-cell activity within it, making it harder for the immune system to recognise and attack. A hot tumour has more immune-cell activity, which may make it more responsive to certain immunotherapies.

The goal of my personalised treatment programme is to encourage that immune recognition and give the vaccine the best possible opportunity to generate a meaningful response. Of course, this is an emerging approach, and there are no guarantees — but it is one I am hopeful about.

How am I feeling after Day Two?

A little fatigued, but otherwise feeling well! No significant side effects to report so far, which is encouraging.

Why am I sharing this journey?

Because I believe cancer patients deserve to understand the options being explored around the world, the science behind them and the importance of having a knowledgeable team to help navigate their care.

This is also the passion behind Boost IV Health & Wellness and our Cancer Terrain Programmes and Cancer Concierge Services.

We help patients explore additional supportive care options, understand testing and treatment pathways, and coordinate with appropriate healthcare professionals alongside their oncology team.

Knowledge creates choices. Support creates confidence. Hope keeps us moving forward.

📩 To learn more about our Cancer Terrain Programmes or Cancer Concierge Services, contact [email protected]

🌐 www.boostiv.co.nz

Follow along for Day Three as I continue sharing my experience, the treatments and what I'm learning overseas. 💙

28/10/2026

💙MY CANCER VACCINE JOURNEY – DAY ONE 🇪🇸

Monday – The beginning of a new chapter!

Today marked the first step in my personalised cancer vaccine journey. Preparation began with the application of a specialised immune-stimulating cream, ready for my first vaccine treatment the following day.

One of the biggest things I am learning through my own cancer journey is that there is so much more to explore when it comes to cancer care than many patients realise.

There are additional therapies, emerging treatments, personalised testing and supportive approaches being explored around the world. Not every option is suitable for everyone, but patients deserve to know what questions to ask and what possibilities may be worth discussing with their medical team.

This is one of the reasons I created Boost IV Health & Wellness and Lighthouse Health & Wellness Trust.

I know firsthand how overwhelming it can be trying to navigate cancer, research options, understand medical reports and find the right specialists.

At Boost IV Health & Wellness, our Cancer Terrain Programmes and Cancer Concierge Services are designed to help take the guesswork out of exploring additional support, coordinating care and navigating options alongside conventional oncology treatments.

You don't have to navigate every part of your cancer journey alone.

Over the coming weeks, I'll be sharing my personal experience while overseas — the treatments, the science, the questions I'm asking and what I'm learning along the way.

My hope is that sharing my journey helps others feel more informed, supported and empowered.

📩 Want to learn more about our Cancer Terrain Programmes or Cancer Concierge Services?

Email: [email protected]

🌐 www.boostiv.co.nz

💙 Follow my journey here in Spain. Knowledge creates choices, and every patient deserves the opportunity to understand theirs.

&Wellness