Long live Chris

Chris Wilton-Jones in Pilot Bay. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

One moment life can be full of sun, surf, paddle boarding, family, friends and work, and the next moment everything can change.

This has happened for Mount Maunganui's Chris Wilton-Jones who received the rocking news on February 15 that he has a very aggressive form of acute myeloid leukaemia.

'One day you are paddle boarding around and climbing the Mount and nek minute…BOOM. There's no rhyme or reason to why these things happen,” says Chris.

'I hadn't been feeling too well since about December 20. I went to the doctor, we did blood tests, and he sent me to Waikato.”

Due to the aggressive nature of the leukaemia and on advice from a Waikato Hospital oncology specialist, Chris will not be undergoing chemotherapy treatment and has returned to the Mount to be surrounded by family and friends at this time.

'Unfortunately, when we sent for further testing, the testing came back with ‘poor risk genetics' which means it is a highly aggressive leukaemia with very low chance of cure,” says the specialist.

'If we pursue treatment with significant chemotherapy and get you into remission and if by good chance we are able to source allogeneic stem cell transplant for you, your overall survival is 20 per cent.

'But that is provided that everything goes to plan with no complications or anything else that might compromise your life. All in all, it is a very aggressive disease you have and the decision [to go home] you made now is not entirely a bad one if you wish to remain comfortable.”

Waipuna Hospice, which provides a home service from Waihi Beach to Pukehina Beach for those with a life-limiting illness, assigns a nurse to visit people in their homes to provide clinical support and help manage symptoms and provide support to families to enjoy the best possible quality of life. They also refer people to other service providers for support with personal care and home help. Hospice at home surrounded by family can be immensely comforting.

Chris is well-known around the Mount as ‘Doc', and for his inspirational and encouraging social media updates, and for promoting good health, fitness and wellbeing. It's fair to say his super power is encouragement.

His huge heart and generosity, and his determination to give and ‘pay it forward' has been leaving an imprint on many lives over the last decade at least, as he's spent time helping the rich and the homeless, no matter what background people spring from.

Many have also been recipients of texts and letters that he's taken time to post to people across the city and further afield.

Members of Chris's closeknit family have arrived in Tauranga from Australia and the South Island to wrap strength, love and care around Chris as he journeys through this valley.

'Please pray for a miracle healing,” says Chris. 'I love the Lord, that's where the saving grace is. My chin is high, my spirit is very strong, because I have a caring God that loves us all.”

A Givealittle page has been set up to help cover Chris' costs, and family costs as they travel to and stay nearby while wrapping strength, love and care around Chris. Additional funds left over will be donated to Waipuna Hospice to help support other families.

See Chris' Givealittle page at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/long-live-chris

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