A lot has happened since I last updated.

It has been an emotional rollercoaster to say the least.

Aaron had his hemodialysis catheter placed and after some adjusting of medications it is know working great. He is on a 4 -6 week course of antibiotics for the infection that caused the removal of peritoneal catheter.

He has had little bumps in the road; he had the MRI done Tuesday a test that UCLA requested, on the scan they saw an enlarged lymph node that was there before but that has gotten bigger in mass. So, immediately alarms went off and they requested blood tests and a Ultrasound to rule out Lymphoma (cancer).

The blood test and ultrasound were both negative. We consulted with oncology/hematology yesterday and they have requested a P.E.T. scan (a form of MRI but more in detail) to rule out the chance of it being a lymphoma. That will be done Monday or Tuesday of next week.

All doctors involved are very assuring that they would be surprised if it comes back with a positive result. They just have to rule it out since he is a transplant candidate.

I am very pleased to announce Aaron has a confirmed date for UCLA. UCLA and Dr. Lax and Dr. Alejos would like us there Monday the 28th of September. HOORAY!!!!! The best news we have heard in the longest time.

We are actually going and approved. Can you feel my happiness through the screen?

I am so grateful for all of your prayers and support we had a huge turnout at Straw Hat Pizza in Brentwood last night. Mark and the rest of my family was able to attend and my Mom said she was so overcome by all the support you could feel the love in the room.

Thanks to Sal, Anmarie and KC for putting it all together.

There is a huge garage sale going on today and this weekend that Velya has organized from Coldwell Banker Amaral, please stop by. I am told there are many treasures to be found. All the people behind the scenes of this event have really gone to a lot of work to put it together, some have driven from as far away as Danville, to pick up items that have been donated.

Also, there is a wonderful evening at Hanoum Estate in Brentwood planned. Tickets have to be purchased in advance. Please come out, there are many wonderful auction items that have been donated by the community and a friend of ours Joan has also rounded up two VIP Tickets to New York’s The View, with Barbara Walters and Whoopi Goldberg. There will be a live band. There is a flyer on the site. Please let people know; it is going to be such a wonderful event.

This is just the beginning; we still have a very long road ahead of us. I know we can get through this. Praying for Aaron and you!

The Climb is the brand new hit single from Miley Cyrus available on Hannah Montana: The Movie Soundtrack in stores March 24!

Thought you would like to read the lyrics today:

The Climb lyrics

Songwriters: Alexander, J; Mabe, J;

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there’s a voice inside my head saying
“You’ll never reach it”

Every step I’m taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I’m not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I’m gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

‘Cause there’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I’m gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb, yeah!

There’s always gonna be another mountain
I’m always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody’s gonna have to lose

Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It’s all about, it’s all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

© HOPELESS ROSE MUSIC; VISTAVILLE MUSIC;

These are the words to the song that Aaron Loves and it so fits him.
We will all keep the faith!

We Love You Thank You for your continued support!!!!

Surgery Scheduled

Aaron has had another set back. He will have a surgery tomorrow around noon to have his dialysis catheter removed, he has had an infection that if left will run rampant throughout his entire body. The only way to combat it is through a treatment of antibiotics and to remove the dialysis catheter he had put into place a couple weeks ago.

He will have a new catheter put in it will be for hemodialysis. That will begin on Saturday. Hemodialysis may be very hard on his heart but we know these very competent doctors have decided it is the only solution at this point. They are going to proceed very cautiously with his treatment plan.

Our Aaron certainly keeps them on their toes. He is a fighter we all know that of that. I could not be prouder of my little man.

UCLA Tranfer Delayed

UCLA is on a temporary hold because he cannot have a transplant with this infection; it would be devastating to him. So, every trace of infection has to be gone. The doctors will have to check and recheck him, before he can have the transplant surgery.

UCLA is aware of the situation and once it is established that there is no infection, we can proceed as planed. They have a few more tests that have to be performed here anyway (a heart cauterization and an MRI), so those may be able to happen in the next few weeks.

Special Thank You to ALL

All we can say is that we are so very blessed to be surrounded by the many wonderful people around us.

My past employer Coldwell Banker Amaral has gone beyond anything we could have ever imagined. They have organizing some very special events. Aaron Meadows, Noelle, Michelle and Velya you do not miss a beat. You are doing things before any one thinks of them. Aaron will be back in there playing with Legos in the office, under my desk, before you know it.

And then there’s Marguerite Elcenko and Eric, my wonderful friends. How we love you. The Bake sale was such a huge hit, I can’t believe all you are taking on and with a set of twins, under 2 years old.

We have a special bond; we both lost our children within months of each other that made us part of something that we did not want to be, but we are blessed to have both in our life when this happened. Marguerite went into this mode of I know what to do we will do this and this and don’t worry. I am just so very blessed; Mark and I are so incredibly blessed.

Anne Powers put together the bowling event. Aaron got the biggest kick out of seeing the bowling pin that everyone signed. He will treasure it. We enjoyed the pictures that were taken, but the best part, was seeing Aaron’s smile — seeing his friends bowling for him.

My Mom is our biggest support! When we get bad news, we call her and she is right there, reminding us that we can’t loose faith, and to not even go to a place of despair. She is the best Mom and the greatest Grandma.

She recently searched every Toys R Us from Pittsburgh to San Francisco to find a certain toy that Aaron had to have. She has been with the boys at home, this entire time. With her and my sister Kaylena and Scott our brother-in-law the boys are so happy, they are so secure being with them, it is almost no different than being with us. We just miss them immensely. I can’t wait to be a family again.

The list of friends that are suffering through this with us is long; they call, e-mail and text us, to check on us and are hurting right along with us. Thank you KC, Kay, Lourdes, Lynn, and Joan La Foss my support on the east coast. She is reaching out to us from so many miles away, sending her closest friends that live nearby, to hug us and send her love. 

There are so many more people I can’t possibly name them all and some we don’t even know. You are all just amazing people. You are a much needed support — we love you.  I wish we could hug each and every one of you; you are so special to us.

The medical staff here at UCSF is amazing and they are all working so hard I pray every day that God is with them in all the decisions that they make.

So much is happening and changing each and every day but the one constant in our life, in all this, is Our God.

Our Prayer Request!

We are praying we will all be home soon and this will be over. We don’t know when, but we know it will happen. I wake up every day and think it is a nightmare that we are living but it is our lives, our reality.

Aaron is the reason and he makes it worth it, our miracle will happen.

Thank you and God Bless!

Editor’s Note: Please leave a message and let the Tanner Family know you are praying.

When:  September 18th & 19th
Where:  Coldwell Banker Amaral & Associates
3775 Main Street,
Oakley, CA

Friday from 8:00 am — 1:00 pm
Saturday from 7:00 am — 1:00 pm

If you or anyone you know would like to donate items, please contact either: Noelle: (925) 625.5011 or Velya: (925) 625.5021

100% of all proceeds will be donated to the Aaron Tanner Foundation and anything not sold will be donated to a local shelter.

Thank You!
www.saveabrokenheart.com

We encourage supporters to download, print and freely distribute fliers for this event.

Please join us in helping to Save Aaron Tanner’s Broken Heart. 4-year-old Aaron Tanner is in need of a dual heart and kidney transplant. His need is urgent and your help is needed.

Please join us in this great cause at:  The Hanoum Estate located at 4790 Knarlwood Road, Oakley.

Events Planned for the evening:

• BBQ Dinner catered by Mike’s Beef and Brew
• Concert featuring The Crosstowne Band
• Texas Holdem Poker Tournament
• Silent auction and raffles.

Date:  September 23, 2009
Location: The Hanoum Estate
4790 Knarlwood Road, Oakley, CA
Time:  5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Cost:  $50.00 per person

Poker Tournament is a $50.00 buy in, includes the cost of dinner.

For tickets and more information please contact
Noelle Young at:  (925) 759-7538

We encourage supporters to download, print and freely distribute fliers for this event.

In an article, which ran yesterday, August 26th, 2009 in the Brentwood Press, event organizers had this to say…