Sad times

On Tuesday the 14th of January, Robin's Dad Roy (Nate's UK-based Grandad) sadly passed away. Roy had been diagnosed some time back with prostate cancer and more recently with bone cancer, and after many months of treatment, recently lost his fight.

Robin has been over in the UK since the 31st of December, and was able to spend a couple of weeks with Roy, helping in tending to Roy's care at Lise and Patrick's house (Robin's sister and brother in law), where Roy was visited and supported by the wider family on a daily basis.

It is an incredibly sad time for everyone, but especially for Robin, and his sister and brother, and their families. But thankfully, Roy is now at least out of pain, and at peace. Later this week (Friday the 24th of January), the celebration of Roy's life - and the amazingly loving and generous family man that he was - will take place back in Woking.

It is extremely upsetting for us that we never had the opportunity to introduce Nate and Roy in person. Had Nate's health not been as it is, we would have taken him back to the UK last year. Had Roy's health not been as it was, the same could have applied.

We are also saddened that a man who should have played such an important role in Nate's early years (after all, who doesn't remember holidays and Christmases with their grandad?), wont be able to, at least not in the typical sense. This is especially sad given that Roy was such a family man, and a fabulous Dad and Grandad, and he would have delighted in doing that.

However in typically generous Chang fashion, Roy and the family have asked for those that are wishing to send flowers to the funeral, to instead consider a donation to Nate's ongoing medical, and physical, occupational and speech therapy costs, associated with his Trisomy 9 Mosaic (T9M) condition.

So, in his own special way, Nate's Grandad will continue to play a key role in helping Nate achieve the best that he can be, inspite of the challenges that he has ahead of him. Our role will of course be to ensure that he 'knows' his Grandad Roy, and how very much he was loved by him.

Today's blog is dedicated to Roy Chang, Nate's Grandad. Below are some photos of Roy, as well as a short update on Nate and some of his photos and videos from the last twenty days.

Roy and Robin

Grandad with the girls on Waiheke

Man about the world

Nate has continued to make some fantastic leaps and bounds, and we are heartened by his current rate of progress. Long may that continue - he might be delayed, but he surely is a determined wee chappie! He also has what seems to be a plethora of teeth coming through, so the last few days and nights have been very gummy and quite sleepless (especially for Mummy!). Pamol is our new friend right now!

Our gorgeous little Viking (outfit courtesy of Jesper and Natalia)