Hope for Tanya 5k Fun Run

We have some hard working turkeys over here...and we are happy to get this fundraiser going!  Sooo exicted for this!  This event IS in Show Low, Arizona...for those in the Valley it's about a 3hr drive North.  It's nice a cool....so think about it...mill it over and hopefully you will want to take the pretty drive up and join us!  My family is your family...i'm sure we can find a place for many to stay! haha. 

We have some amazing sponsors that have made this fun run (yes, you can walk) possible!  Each paid participant will receive a goodie bag!  In this goodie bag you will receive a Shirt, Protein Bar, Banana & Water!  We will be selling shirts, if any are left and bracelets too!  We really really really hope you all can join us...hopefully Tanya can too...that's the plan anyhow!  We have many raffles too!  Each paid participant will be entered into each raffle and winners will be drawn after the event!

Click for Registration Form

Thank you,

Ash

Halloween Hike with CardioVascular Associates of Mesa, P.C.

When: Saturday, October 20, 2012 8:30 AM-9:30 AM (GMT-07:00) Arizona.

Where: San Tan Mountain

“Hope for Tanya” Hike/Walk – First 30 participants to receive a “Strength, Love, Courage” Bracelet

The Health & Wellness Committee of CVAM would like to get you moving! Let’s get fit together!

Saturday, October 20^th  @ 8:30am – HIKE or WALK – San Tan Mountain –

"Hiking Appropriate" Halloween costumes encouraged, but not required!

Staff, family and friends welcome to attend!

San Tan Mountain: From the Phoenix area, take US-60 East to Ellsworth Road Exit. Go South on Ellsworth Road, which eventually turns in to the Hunt Highway going East.  Take the Hunt Highway, turning right onto Thompson Road.  From Thompson Road, turn left on Phillips Road and park in the designated parking area.  The turn-offs to Thompson Road and Phillips Road are both signed for the San Tan Mountain Regional Park.

We will meet in the parking lot at 8:30, stretch and start our hike at 8:45!

Please bring water, a hat and sunscreen!   

THANKS,

HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE OF CVAM

Round One

HELLO!!! :)

 

It's Tanya this time, writing to update everyone on how my progress is going.

 

I have Radiation for 28 business days, which will end on 10/31/12.  Radiation will be 28 minutes a day.  WELL today I went in for my 3rd treatment of radiation and with each treatment they do a CT Scan prior to actually starting radiation to make sure my intestines are all in the right spot and aren't in the treatment field.  To my surprise (and I never knew this before now) that your intestines move all over your abdomen all the time! Wow!! When I went in for my treatment my radiation team did 3 CT Scans, all in which didn't line up.  Dr. Zaky my Radiation Oncologist didn't feel comfortable radiating me since I wasn't lining up correctly. I was on the table for about an hour and let me just say IT''S GOT TO BE THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE TABLE POSITION IN THE WORLD!!! They finally said "we have tormented you enough"ha ha I will still go back tomorrow at 730am for what will be my 3rd radiation treatment, since I don't have Chemotherapy tomorrow we will have more time to figure out what is going on and possibly get me lined up and treated. I am not sure what they will do, but Dr. Zaky will be speaking with a physicists and they will figure out what to do with me and these crazy intestines of mine! :) ha ha

 

So off to Chemo I go today...Yesterday wasn't a bad day, but I was nauseous all day, without much of an appetite.  I had one bite of a bagel that I am almost positive it took me about 30 minutes to chew it up and swallow the one bite! I gave up on the bagel at that point. ha ha I had about 5-10 crackers throughout the rest of the day and water. I am not sure if it was the radiation, all the vitamins or chemo or the combination of ALL OF IT...So today I tried a few things different.  I split all my medications up into three times of the day, so I am not taking so much at one time. Then I didn't have radiation today, and I had Chemo today, and when all is said and done I feel so much better!! Tomorrow will tell...

 

Chemo went great today, I was a little sleepy, so I slept the whole 2 hours! ha ha poor mom!!! :) I feel great today! I have an appetite again and I had a delicious lunch with mom today! :) I took a big bite of my sandwich and I was in heaven! I am praying and have high hopes that this is the worst I will feel throughout this whole process!!  Round ONE of Chemo is done! Yay!!! One step closer to recovery!!! :) They did tell me that Day One I will feel great and not think they did anything to me, it was my long 6 hour chemo day too...I did I felt great after day one.  Day Two and Three they said I will feel a little tired and run down, which yesterday I did, not so much today.  Then they said days four, five and six I will feel my worst.  So we will see what tomorrow brings. Day Seven and on I should feel better and better with each day that passes until my second day of my second round.  Hears to feeling great!!! :)

 

I think that's all for now.  SO Sorry it's been awhile since I have posted anything.  I am going to try and post at least one a week! :) SO keep an eye on the blog for updates!

 

For those of you that have ordered bracelets, I am sorry to say the Zebra ones came in and were nothing like the proof they sent for me to approve.  So we are sending them back and hopefully getting our money back.  We only have TEAL, which I promise you the Teal are still VERY CUTE!!! :) Please let me know if you want teal or your money back.  Also that being said if you ordered a bracelet and haven't paid, please send your money to 540 N. Nassau Mesa, AZ 85205.  Once I receive your money I will send the bracelet out.  I have just sent out the first batch of bracelets to those of you that have ordered and paid, so be expecting those in the next few days! :)

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL THAT ARE SUPPORTING ME, I am so blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life!!! :) A special thanks to those who I have never met, but continue to support me.  This world continues to surprise me! The kindness of others is so overwhelming in such a positive way!

 

With all my love,

Tanya 

abPhotography Photo Special

Location:  In-state only, please :)

Thanks,

Ash

A Mini Photo Shoot!

Thanks,
Ash

Holiday Ham, Anyone? Perhaps a Weenie Roast?

The Bell & Caldwell families have gotten a donation from The Pork Shop in Queen Creek, Arizona for a 18-20lb, bone-in HAM! Anyone having guests over for the Thanksgiving holiday?  Don't want to get stuck with a canned ham like Mrs. Krank do ya? If not, well then you had better get to purchasing your tickets!  After this raffle I've heard there will be a beef package next! Raffle will commence on Sunday, October 13th and the winner will be notified by phone!

  The welder in the family has put his skills to work and made a Fire Ring!  Who doesn't like sitting around the fire, hanging out with friends chit chatting...perhaps roasting marshmallows or hot dogs?  Weenie roast anyone? haha.  This raffle is going until November 1, 2012.

If interested in either raffle, please contact:

Malisa Caldwell @ 480.206.5457 or Cathi Bell @ 480.510.7135!

Thank you,

Ash

Donation Account...Up & Running

Well...after a week of trying to figure out banking issues...the account has been set up! We've had a tremendous amount of people wishing to donate directly!  We will get a donation button on here soon! 

Our family is truly grateful for all of your love and support in more ways than one! 

 Thank you for everything!

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE AT ANY WELL'S FARGO BANK UNDER "HOPE FOR TANYA JOHNSON"

They may ask what state it was opened in...answer is Arizona.

Again, thank you all!  :)

Ashley

All In A Days Work....

So today was a VERY busy day!! We accomplished A LOT too!! (OH it's Tanya by the way) haha 

We started out by stopping off at Fry's Pharmacy to get MANY scripts filled. Went on to find a attorney so we might be able to set up a bank account. Since this has been the hardest thing we have come across since I was diagnosed! Wells Fargo FINALLY came through!! Donations can be made at ANY Wells Fargo Bank in the name of "HOPE FOR TANYA JOHNSON". Please still send your raffle money and any bracelet payments to my home address: 540 N Nassau Mesa, AZ 85205. This way we can keep track of who paid and who still owes!! I want to say THANK YOU to each of you who have bought a bracelet or a raffle ticket! A special thanks to all of you who have helped in one way or another to set up a fundraiser. I can't tell you how much it means to me you all supporting me as much as you have.

 

BEST NEWS OF THE DAY...

We went in today to see my Radiation Oncologist Dr. Sandra Zaky. She is a super nice and very funny lady. I had called Dr. Borst on my way to her office to get the results from my PET Scan I had yesterday. She told me my results of the scan were CLEAR!!! She didn't see any cancer on my scans at all, in fact it was all very NORMAL. Which is AWESOME NEWS!!! I couldn't be happier to hear this. Now I'm sure you all are asking then WHY am I still doing treatment?? My Cancer is a Stage 3, and with my TYPE of Cancer it's very aggressive. A PET Scan can ONLY detect cancer cells if they are a cm or bigger. That being said YES my scan was clear, but that doesn't show us if there are any cancer cells SMALLER than cm. So I do treatment to ensure my scans stay clear. The Radiation is done in the pelvic area only. There are side effects to radiation, but short term side effects are the same as chemo. Nausea, vomiting and being tired. She said I will not even know I'm being radiated. It's like getting a X-ray. It will take about 28 minutes from the time I check in until I leave. The radiation will be 28 business days, 5 days a week. I will start chemo and radiation on Monday September 24th. I will go to Dr. Zaky's office first for radiation and then Dr. Borst's office for chemo.

I'm ready to start this chapter in my life. I am very positive things will come out just fine and all is going to be just fine! We have many new and exciting fundraisers coming up, so please keep an eye on the blog and we will keep you posted on all the fun exciting things to come. 

I love you guys and thak you for supporting me! :) 

Tanya

Make A Difference

Let's make a difference...do you know anyone who cleans their house (haha)?  Wears make-up?  Eats on a daily basis? Or perhaps looking for vitamins, supplements, toilet paper, toothpaste, etc?  Or maybe even looking for gift ideas for the holiday season?  What better way to do this that from the comfort of your own home, shipped to your door while helping a great cause!

 

Pat Frantz and family, owner and operator of Frantz Enterprises is giving back to his neice now through the holiday season! 

online at www.frantzorg.com click "shop our store"

All Amway products and partnering stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, PacSun and Barnes&Noble...just to name a few are available!

Frantz Enterprises will give every penny of profit from all sales to support Tanya's fight.

Thank you,
Ashley

D-Backs vs. Cubs....RAFFLE

IF INTERESTED IN PURCHASING TICKETS PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:

ASHLEY BROWN 480.223.2263

KATRINA JOHNSON 602.513.2161

VICKIE JOHNSON 928.242.9538

(OR FACEBOOK TOO)

It's The Sisters' Turn...

HOLY COW….what AWESOME people my sister has in her life, to help her kick cancer in the patootie!!  I’m clearly writing on behalf of Miss Tanya, Tata, Tati, Tat, TRizzle, T, Tan, Brat, Sis, Baby…whatever names you all have for her!  Anyhow…just wanted to give a little update!  With the recent “public” knowledge of Tanya’s battle it’s been nothing but full email boxes, texts out the wazoo, phone calls, prayers, Facebook posts…you name it…it’s happened.  So with that said Tanya is obviously very grateful but is TRYING to keep up with EVERYTHING.  She simply cannot, so we’ve stepped in…the sisters are taking over!  Tanya will be around to post of course and text, etc. but we’ve suggested she delete her Facebook app and access it on her laptop so it’s not notification after notification coming through on her phone.  If you know her at all, you know that she would be up until all hours of the night trying to respond to everyone. 

Little Missy needs her rest so she can heal from her extensive surgery.  She’s already trying to lift more than a jug of milk…I caught her just  yesterday trying to drag Ella, haha…since she couldn’t pick her up she thought dragging her like Breckin does would work! Haha.  I put the kibosh to that real quick, but it was funny! 

Tanya is at Banner Desert Medical Center as we speak sitting and waiting to get her Mediport placed!  A Mediport (aka Port) is an internally installed needle accessed device that is typically used for patients that need long term IV access; in this instance, chemotherapy.  It is surgically placed, usually by creating a false pocket somewhere in the upper chest wall.  An internal tube is then attached to a nipple on the device, with the other end of the tube then sewn into a nearby large vein (usually one of the subclavians). So now that you have a lesson on the Port…haha.  It’s an outpatient procedure, so she will return home this afternoon…surgery is at 130pm. 

Tomorrow Tata (we will call her Tata from now on) will have the PET Scan done.  What is a PET Scan? What will it show?  

A PET Scan uses radiation, or nuclear medicine imaging, to produce a 3-dimensional, color images of the functional processes within the body.  The machine detects pairs of gamma rays which are emitted indirectly by a tracer which is placed in the body on a biological active molecule.  The images are reconstructed by computer analysis.  Moder machines often use a CT X-Ray scan which is performed on the patient at the same time in the same machine.  PET Scans are used to diagnose a heath condition, as well as for finding out how an existing condition is developing.  PET Scans can show up a cancer, reveal the stage of the cancer, show whether the cancer has spread and help doctors decide on the most appropriate cancer treatment.  PET Scans are often used to see how effective an ongoing treatment is, in Tata's case...a baseline since she hasn't started treatment yet.  So that's the lesson on PET Scans...quiz anyone? Haha.   

Anyhow…there are MOUNDS & MOUNDS of fundraisers starting!  We have a Run/Walk in the works, Scentsy (see below post), Zumbathon, Navajo Taco Dinner, T-Shirts, Community Yard Sale, Jewelry  parties, Pennies from Heaven, and most recently a Chili’s Bar & Grill Give-Back Night!  That’s just SOME!!!  It’s overwhelming the amount of people out there willing to help in any way they can.  Fundraisers will be posted on this blog as they come in!  We also have the bracelets of course… any orders can be made by contacting myself (Ashley Brown) at 480.223.2263, Katrina Johnson  at 602.513.2161 or Mom- Vickie Johnson at 928.242.9538 and we can get those ordered.  I have an app on my phone for my photography business that allows me to accept credit/debit cards with a small 2.75% fee (per swipe) if you would like to purchase them this way.  A receipt via email or text is sent automatically to you after the transaction is made (within moments)…so that’s an option if you don’t want to mail!

I’m soooo very blessed to be the sister of such a strong-willed, stubborn woman who WILL beat this beast!  I’m grateful for the strong positive attitude she has…since I’ve been blubbering every chance I get (she doesn’t know that…oh crap…now she does!)  My deepest appreciation for each and every one of you for all you have done for my baby sis...keep it up! 

Since we ALL, yes…just admit it , LOVE Pinterest…I thought I would share…

 

With Love,

The Sisters' (Ashley today) 

Overwhelmed...

...by the amazing kindness of others! 

Today has been an overwhelming day for all i'm sure...from friends finding out about my battle to fundraisers being set up in minutes!  I'm so thankful for everyone who's helped by buying a bracelet, heading up fundraisers, helping those with fundraisers, prayers and most importantly supporting me with my journey! 

There are so many fundraisers in the works as we speak that I can't even tell you all of them...but once flyers come in i'll post!  I appreciate all of you.

Many have been asking "How can I donate directly?" We are in the process of getting a bank account set up for donations & proceeds from fundraisers.  We've run into some minor hickups, so as soon as we have those worked out i'll post the information.

As of right NOW we have sold 220 bracelets!  THIS IS OUTSTANDING!!!  We do still have plenty available so please let me know if you want to order.

*Strength*Love*Courage* Bracelets For Sale

We have bracelets!!!!  My wonderful Mom & Grandmother ordered 500 bracelets!  We have 250 of these Zebra & Teal print available and 250 solid Teal.  Zebra print stands for the type of Small Cell Carcinoma, which is Neuroendocrine and Teal stands for the location of the cancer...which is Cervical.  Aren't they pretty?  If you would like to purchase one they are $5 and all proceeds go to help my journey! 

 I appreciate your support. Please let me know if you are interested.

 

Hope for Tanya...A Fundraiser

Thank you, Erin for ALL your help and support!!!

**10 Days Post Op**

Hello Family and Friends :)

Today marks 10 days post op!! I am healing and getting around pretty good.  Slower some days, but for the most part I am getting around rather well. My belly is still very swollen, but that is sure to go down in a few more weeks once I have healed inside and out. After surgery was done they put on Steri-strips that were rather long, about 3-4 inches.  I went into Dr. Borst's office today for my post op appointment.  My incision was checked and they said it looked great! I was healing very well and fast. The Steri-strips were removed.  I am THE MOST TICKLISH person in the WHOLE WORD, so I was laughing and squirming all over the table each time she removed the strip! Haha she put more steri-strips back on which are a lot smaller about 2 inches in length.  Those will eventually fall off on their own.  I can't wait until I am able to sleep on my stomach.  I miss that the most! :)

I was scheduled today with a PA in Dr. Borst's office by accident.  When I saw him in the hospital he wanted me to follow up with him today.  My appointment was at 1030am today and when the PA came in and not Dr. Borst, I of course questioned it.  We had a lot of questions, some in which the PA couldn't answer.  She went and got Dr. Borst.  We met in his office and got all of our questions answered. He is such a great doctor.  He said today "I am going to scream out loud when you are in remission" haha and said "I can't think of any better thing I should be doing other than getting up in the morning and coming into my office to help my patients beat this" I am truly blessed to have been referred to the best of the best!

My appointment today was to talk about Chemotherapy and Radiation.  As my Pathology came back on my lymph nodes and my ligament's.  The Ligament's were clear. As for the lymph nodes he took 14 of my lymph nodes in my pelvic region.  Of those 14, 3 were positive for Cancer.  2 on the right and 1 on the left.  This is the best news.  It's better it was 3 of 14 and not 14 of 14.  He took my para aorta node on the left and right, in which both of those were negative.  This is also the best news.  He has every reason to believe the cancer is contained in my pelvic area.  Since my para aorta nodes were all negative, this means the cancer was caught early enough, it hasn't spread to the rest of my body.  Since the cancer was in 3 of my lymph nodes this now means my cancer is Stage 3.  Now becomes all the tough questions.  Chemo and Radiation will start ASAP, which will be next week some time.  I have a Chemo Teaching appointment tomorrow at 930am.  This will answer anymore questions I have about Chemo and will tell me when, and how often I will have Chemo, also how long each treatment will last.  I do know Chemo will be done 3 days in a row, then off for 2 weeks, on 3 days and off 2 weeks.  I don't know how long each treatment will last.  I will also have an appointment on Friday at 330pm with a Radiation doctor.  I do know Radiation will be 6 weeks long, and will be 30 minutes each treatment, and I will have to do that 5 days a week.  In the mean time, I will have a PET Scan, and a port placed.  The PET Scan will tell us where the Cancer is at in my body.  As far as we know it's contained in the pelvic area.  The Port is so they won't have to stick me each time I go in for Chemo.  That will stay in as long as I need treatment. And will be placed in my chest at the same hospital I had Surgery...Banner Good Samaritan.  All my treatment will be done at Dr. Borst's office, both Chemo and Radiation.  He told me I will be off work for 3 months on top of the 6 weeks I am off now.  I have applied for Disability and FMLA, so I hope I will have a Job when all this is said and done.  :) There is an old wives tail that Cancer feeds off oxygen.  This IS an old wives tail and IS NOT TRUE.  Cancer will not spread due to me being opened up for surgery.  After Chemo and Radiation is done, and I am in remission, there is a 50% chance of recurrences.  With Cancer if it does come back it comes back worse than it started.  We will just face that if the time comes.  He said I am OK to start my B12 injections again, I am about 3 weeks past due on these.  I will also need to get a multi-vitamin with Iron.  My Prognosis is about 50%.  Which means I have a 50% chance of survival.  My chances are higher than someone older than me.  I am over all healthy and relatively young, my body heals quicker.  We have heard from a lot of Cancer patients that the best thing to do is protein shakes before and after treatment.  Uncle Pat is putting together a care package for me! :) This will inculde protein powder, vitamins and and biosalts.  All these things will help to keep me as healthy as possible while going through treatment.

Since I am doing Chemo and Radiation there is a chance I will lose my hair.  I have made the decision that I will NOT get a wig, I will NOT cover up my bald head.  I will NOT give Cancer the satisfaction of making me feel ashamed of myself for having this disease. I will beat this disease and it will not get me down.  Everyone keeps asking me "how are you?  Or How are you feeling" to that I must answer, I feel great! I am alive and I am happy.  I have the best support system a girl could ask for!!  I can't even begin to tell each and every one of you how much I appreciate you and thank you for all the love and support you all have shown me! I can't thank you enough.

I love you with all my heart,

Day 3...

Hello All,

 

I am finally feeling more up to my usual self so I thought now was as good time to type up a quick email and send it out to everyone! First off I wanted to say thank you to EVERYONE that is supporting me.  Thank you for all the prayers, and positive thoughts.  Thank you for all the BEAUTIFUL flowers, teddy bears, balloons, card, magazines, books, clear liquids (haha), crossword puzzles, lotion...if I have missed anything thank you for all that too! :)

 

So its my third day in the hospital, let's just say I am VERY eger to get home! One of my first questions just waking up from recovery was "can I go home now?" haha I have AMAZING nursing staff, I know it just a "job" but it's one they all do so well.  A special thanks to Maria my RN I had today for the last 12 hours, she wasn't scheduled to be in today, but since they called her and were short staffed she came in.  She usually works the Neuro floor, but wasn't needed on my floor today.  She is bright eyed, and positive! She makes me laugh and always has something funny to say.  She is just someone special that was sent to brighten my day today.  So Thank you Maria for being a great nurse. Surgery was a success, they got the whole tumor that was in my cervix.  I haven't seen my doctor since before I went in to surgery, but the information I am sharing is what was given to my family members after I was out of surgery and into recovery.  As far as Dr. Borst could see with his eye, he got all the cancer from my cervix.  It was about 2 1/2cm.  Which is very large.  They sent it off to pathology and it came back as neruoendocrine carcinoma.  Which is what we were praying against. Dr. Borst did say I will need Chemotherapy for sure, but will give me about 3 weeks to recover before starting it.  He sent the lymph nodes and ligements off for more pathology and will have the results on that back in about 5 days which I hope will be Tuesday or Wednesday.  That will then tell me if the cancer was contained int he cervix or if it has spread throught my body.  Either way Chemotherapy will be done, but this will determine if Radation will be needed as well.

 

I have been feeling great yesterday and today.  I have been up walking around, doing laps after laps around the nursing station.  I got to shower today and mom even braided my hair.  I can't remember the last time she has done that.  It feels good being off my neck.  The shower felt fantastic. I know all my visitors were gagging on my stinch! haha But thank you for toughing it out! I smell better today! :) I have a catheter in and I am eger to get that out as well.  Dr. Janasck who is covering for Dr. Borst said he has hopes I will get that out Tuesday and will be discharged on Tuesday! Oh I can't wait for Tuesday! :) I have felt great today, I haven't had any pain medicine at all today.  I had a bout with gas pains today, as I am not allowed solid foods until I am able to pass gas.  I was given instructions to get up and walk, walking helped but was still unable to pass anything.  I was joking with Maria today when I told her she would know when I did, as all my visitors would be running out of the room gasping for fresh air! haha I finall was able to and my diet has been moved up to solids.  I had applesauce for dinner! :) My chicken noodle soup is on it's way. Maria told me I could take a wheelchair downstairs to get ouf and not be so bored, so mom is staying with me tonight, to give Scott a little break and he has to work tomorrow. So we are going to take the wheelchair for a spin and get mom some dinner! :) Over all today as been a great day! I just wanted to keep you all in the loop!

 

I will send out more communications when I know what the next steps will be! :) Sorry this email didn't come with more news! But...I am feeling great so that the best news we can hope for right now! :)

 

I love you all, and again thank you so much for supporting me!

Tanya