Pete's news
3 June 2007 - Pete's operation is over and he is back at home recovering with his family. Such a momentous moment in the history of Pete's Fund merits its own webpage and you can find it here.
11 May 2007 - Pete had his operation yesterday and it was a success - the AVM was removed and the operation went very well. He is in intensive care and is expected to remain there for a week or so. More news as we hear it.
A brief editor's note from me, Pete's cousin Sam... I have seldom in my life met a more devoted and loving family than Pete's, extending out to his three brothers and his parents. For those of you who don't know them, your heart would break to see the agony they've been through these past few years. Please, with everything you have, send your thoughts and prayers to whatever form your God takes to keep them safe and for Pete's complete recovery. Thank you so much.
9 May 2007 - Pete and his family leave home today to travel to Bristol for his big operation. Pete will be featured on BBC London News bulletins on Thursday 10 May at 1330, 1830 and 2230 and again at the same times on Friday 11 May. The crew will be filming at the Frenchay Hospital. On Friday Pete's surgeon, Mr Porter, will make a statement on Pete's operation and his progress so far.
3 May 2007 - Pete has had all his embolisations, and his operation is still on track for 10 May. On 5 May his family, friends and fundraisers will have a get together to have a much-needed laugh and wish Pete all the very best for the weeks ahead.
His last embolisation on 27 April was cancelled, as his surgeon Mr Porter felt that the AVM was now stable enough to remove and wanted Pete to conserve his strength for the big operation. Pete has been at home, walking and resting. The documentary crew will be following his progress in hospital, and the hospital film crew will be recording Pete's operation to use clips for future training purposes.
25 March 2007 - Pete had his fifth embolisation operation on 16 March. It went as well as the others and Dr Shelley Renowden has now sealed off 90% of the blood vessels in Pete's AVM. This means he will need just one more embolisation on 27 April before the big one...
Pete's huge 15-hour operation to finally remove his AVM is scheduled for 10 May. The family are excited but understandably very nervous, so your thoughts and prayers are very welcome...
24 February 2007 - Pete has been turned down with his appeal for funding by the NHS and with 5 more surgeries to pay for the family need to raise more funds. Can you help?
Julia will now apply for a 2nd appeal to West Hertfordshire Primary Care Trust for the funding of this life saving treatment and say if we are ever granted the funding after paying all Pete's hospital costs we will help others in similar circumstances.
A documentary scheduled for the summer is being filmed at present and the removal of Pete's AVM will be filmed for teaching purposes and small clips used in the film.
There are a few more photos on the Pete's Progress page.
8 February 2007 - Pete and Julia travel back to Bristol for the fourth embolisation. The AVM is now shrinking ready to be removed but a further 3 embolisations are required - a massive 7 in total. Pete is in theatre for 5 hours and recovers well. He is being given a chance to rest now and his next operation will be on 16 March. We will, of course, let you know how it goes.
18 January 2007 - Pete is recovering from his third embolisation procedure that took place today. The operation went well, with Dr Renowden sealing off a deep artery which should make the final operation much easier. Pete will be back in hospital again at the beginning of February. After this next operation, a decision will be taken about whether or not he will need further ones before the removal takes place.
5 January 2007 - Pete's second embolisation takes place. Dr Renowden seals off a large section of vessels and is pleased with Pete's recovery.
18 December 2006 - Some pictures of Pete's first trip to hospital are on the new Pete's Progress page.
11 December 2006 - Pete is recovering well, but will need two more embolisation operations than were originally anticipated. The surgeon who performed the first one has said that the consequences for Pete if his AVM had burst would have been 'catastrophic' and has stated that only the surgery he is undertaking could have possibly saved him. Pete's family are around him, and he hopes to go home on Wednesday 13 Dec.
The extra operations mean that we still need to raise more money, as Pete's treatment will now cost more than we bargained for. So please, keep it coming...
9 December 2006 - Pete had the first operation to stabilise his AVM performed by Dr Shelley Renowden at Frenchay Hospital. It went well but Pete is very ill and recovering in HDU, after four hours in theatre and having had six seizures. The AVM is far worse and more extensive than first anticipated with a much higher blood flow and will need another three stabilisation procedures before it can be removed. The next 36 hours are critical for him and, of course, Julia is right by his side.
The Daily Mirror featured Pete's story today and you can read the article on their website.
1 December 2006 - Pete, Julia and the whole family are thrilled to announce that we now have the money needed to pay for Pete's operation. Pete will go into hospital on 7 December to have his first stabilisation procedure. The BBC Breakfast film crew will film Pete as he goes into hospital and will run a special feature on him in the near future. We will update you as we know more.
The family made the announcement that all the money had been raised on BBC London News on Tuesday 28 November. The news crew rang out of the blue to say they were on their way, leading to a bit of a panic in the Nash household!!
8 November 2006 - The Hunton Park House Party was a huge success and we're still counting the money that the 200+ people who attended so kindly donated. JC Bentley turned up to sing for us, games were played, items were raffled and auctioned and a great time was had by all! Pictures will follow soon.
Pete, Ju and the boys are having a well-earned break for a bit, to calm down, regroup and prepare for Pete's first procedure scheduled for 8 December. This is the first of two embolisations, to stabilise his AVM and prepare him for the operation to remove it which we hope will take place in early January.
24 October 2006 - You can now bid on items for auction at the Hunton Park House Party on 4 November.
15 October 2006 - Update from Julia - We have just had an interview with the documentary makers. They are filming us at the moment and will be at the 4th Nov do. The documentary will be one hour long and will follow Pete having his surgery. They are also contacting 'This Morning' so will keep you up to date with all that as it happens.
14 October 2006 - Are you 'Doin' it for Pete'? If so, let the world know by buying a Pete's Fund product from the new shop! A proportion of the purchase cost goes straight to Pete's Fund.
12 October 2006 - Local companies have very kindly donated some fantastic auction items for the Hunton Park House Party on 4 November. Check out the list under 'Upcoming Events'
11 October 2006 - The local MP, Anne Main, has bought up Pete's situation in the House of Commons on Monday. She has just said she is today writing to the Health minister and will ask for a reply to be sent to her. More as we hear it.
10 October 2006 - As a result of Pete's previous television appearances, he was approached to film a one-hour documentary which the family are currently working on.
Update from Julia - 8 Oct 2006 - It was decided that we would not show our visit to Harley Street on BBC London News due to concerns Pete had regarding this kind of surgery for his size of AVM.
We travelled down to Bristol on Wednesday 4 October to have talks with Mr Porter at the Frenchay Hospital where Pete has made his decision to be treated by him.
We are still fighting the red tape so fund raising continues. Will keep you all updated as it unfolds.
21 September 2006 - As a direct result of the recent television appearances, Pete and Julia met with some leading London neurosurgeons to discuss Pete's treatment options. It looks really positive! More as we learn it.