Ashburton Courier: September 24, 2021

NEWS
12 Ashburton Courier, September 23, 2021
www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz
NikkiJo asks for treatment help
MICK.JENSEN
@ashburtoncourier.co.nz
Ashburton woman NikkiJo
Tyrrellhas written to local MP
Jo Luxtonand copied in the
Prime Minister and Health
Minister in adesperate
attempt to get treatment and
help for her chronic health
problems.
She was diagnosed with ME
(myalgic encephalomyelitis)
and Lyme disease23years ago,
but recent checkshave
identified ovarian cysts and
widespread endometriosis as
well.
NikkiJo has been battling
the health system to get
treatment for her new
diagnosis since late July, but
has been frustrated and
dismayed by the slow,
cumbersome process.
‘‘Despite utterdebilitation,
multiple hospital visitsand
specialists saying Ineed
surgery, Icontinuetobe
declined in the public health
system.’’
‘‘Now, thereis something
absolutely treatable that would
also help the ME and give me
qualityoflife,’’ she said.
NikkiJo said she was trying
to get the help she desperately
neededand also raise
awareness of her health and
others like her who struggled
to access treatment.
‘‘We now knowwhy Icannot
break through the plateauof
progress that Iamstuck at,
despiteall my treatments.’’
Her most recent referral
through the public system went
back to square one becausea
pain questionnaire was
missed.
NikkiJo said it could be next
year before she could access
surgery, despite the fact that
she was bedridden,inextreme
pain and has constant
ambulance call outs and
hospitalisations.
She has just had her fourth
PICC line inserted for IV
access, which has cost her
nearly $1000.
NikkiJoTyrrell just
abouttostart her
hyperbaric oxygen
treatment.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
‘‘I’ve had to pay for all four,
despite trying every avenue for
funding and despite the fact
this would be fully funded for
cancer patients.
‘‘A longerterm portacath
was preferred but Icouldnot
fund the $7000 required ­
again, this would be funded for
cancer patients.’’
NikkiJo and her family have
had to self fundmuch of her
treatment for many years,
including treatment overseas
in 2018.
‘‘I have beenignoredfor two
decades by our health system
and only self funded
treatments havekept me alive
or givenmeany chance at life.’’
If no treatment is
forthcoming NikkiJo is faced
with the prospect of having to
raise money for private
surgery, which would cost up
to $20,000.
‘‘The more people Italk to,
the more horror stories Ihear
from other women.’’
Planting day on at Harris reserve
TheHarris Scientific Reserve planting day is
on this Sundayand runs from9.30am until
11.30am.
The 11ha site, located between Lovettsand
Scalesroads near Tinwald,has been
establishedtopreserve remnants of the
original vegetationofdrylandkanuka which
once flourished on the Canterbury Plains.
Thosecoming along areasked to bring gloves,
aspade,suitablefootwearand their own food
anddrinks.
The Double family have taken part in anumber
of planting events at the Harris reserve and plan
to be there on Sunday. Pictured (from left) are
Scott Double, Val Clemens from Ashburton
Community Conservation Trust, Jordis Double,
Tia Double and Kara Hollis­Double.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
OUT AND ABOUT
SEPTEMBER26
Ashburton Car Clubgrass
motorkhanakick starts the club’s
first eventinthe club's points
calendar. Theevent isonthe
groundsofthe club at 47 Wakelins
Road, off State Highway 77 from
10.30am onwards. Level 2Motor
Sport NZ Covid-19guidelines will
be followed.
OCTOBER3
HekeaoHinds RiverProject
Community PlantingDay at the
NearRiver rechargesite at 563
Mayfield Klondyke Road,Montalto.
BYO glovesand waterbottle. Lunch
is provided.RSVPtobrett.
painter@ecan.govt.nz
OCTOBER16
St John garden walkfundraiser
around the picturesque grounds of
RakaiaGardens atDorie. Two
sessions; 9.30am until 12.30pmand
1.30pm until4pm.Guidedtoursof
the gardenbyRollinsonfamily
memberswill be at 11am and
1.30pm. Entry $15,includes
Devonshire tea.
Relayfor Life,Ashburton Domain
Oval. Remembering lovedones and
raising moneyfor Cancer Society’s
support services,health promotion
programmesand cancerresearch.
Music, entertainment, and
community spirit. 10am-10pm.
Farmstrongisbringing anight of
comedy to Methvenaspart of their
nationwiderural wellbeing
programme.Nick Rado, Tarun
Mohanbhai, Courtney Dawsonand
Andre King will be at the Mt Hutt
MemorialHall, in Methven. Tickets
are$20 and supperisprovided.R18
event from 7pm to 10pm.
OCTOBER18­23
Bookarama, theannual charity
fundraiserrunsatthe Ashburton
Sports Hall. Heaps of secondhand
books, puzzles, magazines and
games up forsale.
OCTOBER30
SpooktacularHalloweenatthe
Rakaia Scout Den, on the corner of
Railway Terraceand Normanby
Street, in Rakaia.Starts from5pm
for youngerchildren; more spooky
for older childrenfrom 7pm. Gold
coin entry.
NOVEMBER 5
Counties Primary Athletics
competitionatthe Domain Oval.