Today, Zivana Hori is living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, but she remains determined and hopeful as she undergoes treatment at the Project Hope Cancer Treatment Centre at Whakatāne Hospital.
The Whakatāne Beacon spoke to Hori during her fourth treatment with trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), a targeted drug funded by Pharmac since last year for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.
Clinical trials have shown the treatment can keep advanced breast cancer under control significantly longer than previous standard therapies.
“I see the oncologist next week and I think she’ll book a PET scan, which will tell us if the treatment’s working,” Hori said.
Her cancer journey began last year when she found a lump in her breast. Initially, she was diagnosed with mastitis and prescribed antibiotics.
“It got worse. I went back because I had two lumps, but they still thought it was mastitis.”
Only after a third visit, when she had three lumps and other symptoms, was she referred for further scans and a biopsy.
“That’s when they came back and said I had cancer.”
Zivana and Thomas Hori are drawing strength from each other as Zivana continues treatment for stage 4 breast cancer while raising their family.
Twenty rounds of chemotherapy followed.
After giving birth, Hori underwent surgery to remove the expected three tumours. Instead, surgeons found and removed 20.
“We found out none of the chemo treatments had worked because the cancer had spread so fast.”
The cancer had progressed to stage 4, and Hori feared she had run out of options.
Instead, she became eligible for T-DXd, a treatment that had only recently become available in New Zealand.
“If we didn’t have the T-DXd, I would have had no more treatment.”
Although it is too early to know whether the drug is shrinking the cancer, Hori has already noticed a dramatic improvement in her quality of life.
“I’ve got more energy now. I’m doing everything I used to before I had cancer. I can take my kids to school and kindergarten, go shopping, clean the house and play with the kids.
“I was real sick-looking and tired before. I couldn’t even get up and move and I was weak.”
Zivana Hori with her baby, Dianne Rhythm Harmony Hori, whose birth brought hope during a battle with stage four breast cancer.
Throughout her journey, Hori said the support of her husband, their children, family and friends had carried her through.
“A special thank you to my children and my husband for caring for me and not giving up on me. When things got tough, through my struggles, you gave me strength.”
She is also grateful to Tania Masters and the musicians behind the Musos Tribute Extravaganza, whose fundraising helped the family enjoy a special trip to Rotorua together.
“Thank you for all the aroha and support.”
She also praised the oncology team at Whakatāne Hospital.
“They gave me so much dedication and compassion when I needed it most. I will always be grateful.”
A Givealittle page set up by Hori’s sister to support the family can be found by searching “A mother’s miracle & ultimate sacrifice”.
Music fundraiser strikes a chord for cancer care
A series of tribute concerts honouring musicians who have passed away has raised $12,000 for cancer support services in the Eastern Bay.
The Musos Tribute Extravaganza, held in Matatā, Kawerau, Rotorua and Whakatāne in May, brought together performers and music lovers to celebrate the legacy of Bay of Plenty musicians, while raising funds for the oncology units in Rotorua and Whakatāne.
Organiser Tania Masters and several musicians visited the Project Hope Cancer Treatment Centre at Whakatāne Hospital to donate money and gifts for patients receiving treatment.
“We spoke with the oncology staff, and they told us some of the needs of the patients,” Masters said.
The group have donated headsets so patients can listen to music during treatment, along with petrol and food vouchers to help ease the financial pressures many families face.
Masters also presented funds to the oncology team to provide a staff morning tea in recognition of the work they do.
“Thank you to the oncology staff team here who service our region and all the patients you care for and the wonderful job you do,” she said.
Seated are concert organiser Tania Masters (left) with Project Hope cancer centre nurses Trudy Howard, Chris Araroa and Di Hatcher, and administration staff member Teorihau Reepa. Photo / Kathy Forsyth
The fundraiser grew out of Masters’ desire to honour her late brother, Te Teko musician Ian “Skelz” Hunia.
“Ian passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2023,” she said.
Masters stepped away from music following his death, but when she returned, she realised how many people in the community were affected by cancer.
She is grateful to the musicians and supporters who helped make the concerts possible.
“I only put the idea together. The musicians did the hard work, so thank you to everyone who contributed to this kaupapa.”
Some of the money raised has also been donated to the Hori family.
Thomas is lead guitarist for SoulTear, who performed at the Matatā concert, and said supporting the fundraiser was important to him.
“My wife comes here for her chemotherapy, so anything I can do to give back and help other patients means a lot,” he said.
Oncology nurse Chris Araroa said staff were grateful for the support.
“It’s a huge privilege working with our patients and whānau during some of their most vulnerable times,” she said.
She said they were very appreciative of all the work the musicians and organisers had put into the fundraiser.