Simply Isla

17/10/2025

Goodbye our sweet boy Bo ❤️ You were so loved and you loved everyone.

You were such a big part of our family and will be so missed. For many years you helped Isla navigate the world but were also the best companion to us all.

Sadly we had to make the decision to put Bo to sleep yesterday after complications from cancer we didn't know he had 😢

01/05/2025

I recently asked Isla—now 16—if she still wanted me to continue sharing on this page, and she was adamant that I should. So, here’s a little update from our April trip to Perth and Western Australia!

We had a wonderful time exploring, and true to form, Isla kept us entertained with her unique take on things. As we got off the plane, she enthusiastically greeted everyone with a cheerful “G’day!”—and was quite puzzled when no one replied in kind.

We stayed at Elizabeth Quay and visited the Perth Mint, did a bus tour and a visit to Kings Park.

Caught the train to Fremantle to visit the prison there.

Did a day trip on Rottnest Island via ferry.

Moved to Scarborough Beach and hired a car and drove to see the Pinnacles.

Did a trip to Cavesham Wildlife Park and the automotive museum.

Drove down to Bunbury and Busselton and spent a day exploring the jetty.

Visited Margaret River with a few stops along the way. Then spent another night in Perth CBD before coming home.

30/04/2025

Did you catch our story on Seven Sharp last night? Judging by the incredible support, it feels like most of Aotearoa did!

Since the story aired, our Givealittle page has soared by $100,000+ 🚀 - bringing us to over $180,000 in total! We’re beyond grateful and truly stunned.

Thank you, New Zealand, for standing with us and reminding us what it means to be kiwi. We feel so supported.

Huge thanks to:

- Lucas & the amazing Seven Sharp team — you captured our story with such dignity and respect. We truly felt heard.

- The team at PHAB NZ - thank you for being there when we needed you most.

Missed it? You can still watch here: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/seven-sharp/clips/more-than-just-a-job

27/04/2025

Most people know by now that unfortunately my cancer has spread to my lungs and peritoneum even after 6 months of chemo. I am now on a new treatment regime and taking it 3 months at a time and hoping for a good response.

Bowel cancer wasn’t on my radar and to be honest didn’t have any real symptoms until the week before. The reason why bowel cancer is so deadly as it is often found in later stages when is harder to treat as has already spread outside the bowel. Bowel cancer starts from polyps that are detected via a colonoscopy and are removed before they have a chance to turn cancerous. If I had had a colonoscopy earlier I would not be in the position I am now.

The screening age in NZ has recently been lowered from 60 to 58. In Australia is 45. Bowel cancer is on the rise amongst under 50s so more screening is needed.

Jackie Robertson and Rachael Ferguson are organising a protest outside parliament on 20 May. A decision will be made about a petition to lower the screen rate in June. See article attached.

I am going to try my best to attend to represent the healthy young people who are getting diagnosed with this disease. If you are in Wellington would be great to have your support.

Alternatively if you could share would be appreciated.

Sara

The ex-wife of Olympic rower Eric Murray was clean-living and healthy when diagnosed.

28/02/2025

We have 5 years where Isla can hopefully stay at school and a programme Sommerville offers and then we are on our own.

I am finding out there are minimum day programmes on offer and you may get one day if you are lucky.

Isla being involved in school is so important for her wellbeing and belonging. Without it and no alternative we are going to be lost.

For many young people, leaving school is an exciting milestone – the beginning of adulthood, independence, and new opportunities. But for Finlay, and so many others with very high and complex…

14/02/2025

Happy 10th birthday Bo ❤️ (whoops is tomorrow 😬)

30/01/2025

Hi all

Most people know I have been fighting bowel cancer since a shock diagnosis last April.

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for the challenge and has donated to the cause when the family ran the half marathon last year.

The link is below if you would like to donate or join the challenge for February.

Bowel cancer is on the rise especially with young people. In an ideal world the age for screening would be 45 and if it was I wouldn’t be in the position I am in. If had been caught early, it would have just been a polyp that could have been removed. Unfortunately for me I had no reason to ever get a colonoscopy and the polyp turned into an aggressive tumour that spread through my bowel wall, to my omentum and 4 of my lymph nodes. This is graded as stage IV as spread to lymph nodes and another organ. Bowel Cancer New Zealand advocates for causes such as this and have no government funding.

I have been through 6 months of chemotherapy and now am in a position of wait and see what happens monitored through blood tests, scans and colonoscopies. I am still dealing with neuropathy, low ferritin, fatigue, health anxiety and some PTSD. Most days I’m still trying to come to terms with my situation. Having a special needs daughter who is so reliant on me makes it that much harder.

I have always been a healthy person so does feel a little unfair but just goes to show no one is immune. I am doing everything I can to give myself the best chance to beat this including daily exercise so join me for 100 or 200kms in Feb and support the cause.

Sign up here https://moveyourbutt.org.nz/

Or donate here
https://bowelcancernz.grassrootz.com/move-your-butt-2025/sara-stythe

30/01/2025

Hard walk for Isla but she did it. We have been walking an hour most days but she isn’t a fan of hill walks and her legs shake. So proud of her 🙌

01/01/2025

Birthday celebrations…a morning walk in Russell, lunch at a cute little spot in Kerikeri then Paddington 3.

07/12/2024

Long bike ride from Glendowie to Half Moon Bay.