The Tamatea family, Wanganui

Queen’s Birthday weekend marked a year since the Tamatea family arrived at Ronald McDonald House Auckland.

Diagnosed with chronic renal failure three years ago, Mya Tamatea, 8, is on the waiting list for a new kidney. Sadly, the dialysis was unable to save her failing kidneys and Mya had surgery to remove both kidneys in April.

Because Starship is the only place in NZ that can treat children with her condition, Mya and her family — Mum Kathryn and Dad Richard, and brothers Jackson (10) and Mason (5) — moved from their hometown of Wanganui so that Mya could have access to the treatment she desperately needs.

Earlier this year the Tamateas were hopeful for a kidney from Richard’s brother who through initial tests showed up as a donor ‘match’. However bad news came when during his latest CT scan doctors diagnosed a problem with his left kidney so that meant he could no longer be a donor for Mya. After months of testing, to find he was also sick was devastating for everyone.

Ronald McDonald House isn’t a normal environment for any family to live long term, however the Tamateas have adjusted well to their new ‘home away from home’ with all the staff and families around — “it’s like having lots of Aunties!” says Kathryn. “Everyone including the housekeepers just do so much for us.”

A day in the life … clockwise from top left: Mya and Mason rise and shine; breakfast is served in the kitchen of their self contained unit which protects Mya’s immunity; the Tamateas (from left) Kathryn, Mason, Chevy (Kath’s little sister), Richard, Jackson and Mya; Mya and Dad off to Starship in our new EZGO buggy; Mya begins dialysis; Mya recovers post-treatment.

Both boys began attending our on-site school when they arrived at the House last June. More recently, teacher Marion Nevin assisted in enrolling the boys into Newmarket school. This was to give Mason, 5 whose first day of school was at Ronald McDonald House, an understanding of a regular school so he could better adjust when he eventually returns home. It also provided a welcome opportunity for big brother Jackson and Mason to make some regular friends.

The Tamatea children attend the Family Art classes held in the House twice each week. “The kids love it,” says Kathryn. “Mason and Mya could only draw stick figures before coming to these classes! It also gives our kids time out to just be kids.”

Richard and Kathryn are benefiting from our newly opened Fitness Centre — “It’s cool,” says Richard, “it’s a neat space to work out in and it gives you a chance to think about everything.”

With both sons at school and Mya receiving dialysis four days a week, each Friday while Richard and Mya are at Starship Kathryn bakes goodies in the Family Room. “Having time to bake for other families who find themselves in a similar situation makes me feel good I can give something back.”

Being surrounded by other families with sick children in the House, Kathryn says “it’s reassuring, knowing you’re not alone, you can relate to each other and it’s okay to share a sad story. We have forged so many lifetime friendships here. We all keep in touch with one another, it’s like having another family and it’s wonderful. All our kids have different illnesses. It’s all very surreal, but we’re all going through it together.”

Kathryn feels her family wouldn’t have managed this far without Ronald McDonald House. “There is support everywhere you look — for the children, easy access to the hospital, dinners cooked — everything’s covered. Most of all, it provides private time for our family away from the hospital.” For Kathryn and Richard, who spent months sleeping on hospital wards, the fact they can now all stay together as a family, under one roof, has been a huge relief. The only thing the kids really miss is going home. “It really helps that we can have visitors though!’ says Kathryn.

More than anything in the world, Mya’s #1 wish is for a new kidney and her Mum and Dad so want to be able to grant her that wish. Kathryn looks forward to the day the family can return home to Wanganui — to family and friends and the community they know. With a new kidney Mya will be able to return to school, her hospital visits will be reserved for checkups and despite having to remain on medication for the rest of her life it will be a small price to pay to have a normal life again.