For Tara's faithful followers:  (from Becky)

She (as you all noticed) no longer writes much on this blog - she says she wants to forget about the ordeal of cancer; and this blog reminds her of it. She still comments on her life and posts pictures of Addie on instagram quite often; so follow her there. Just search for Tara Schlappi or Tara Bodrero on facebook; and her instagram name is tarabodrero.  I have copied a post from facebook to put on this site.  Words cannot express (again) how grateful we are for all the prayers and support in Tara's behalf.  She is one loved girl!  I do miss her writing and hope she will one day start writing again; but for now please enjoy pictures of Addie and her Joshua and herself on instagram.  She loves life and we never, ever take one day for granted!!!  She still struggles with residual stomach / disgestive / leg hurting issues likely due to all the meds these past years; but is going to start a regimen from a herbologist in a few weeks.  She has been switching seizure meds (after she finished nursing Addie) so she can get off Dilantin; then she will start the "healthy meds."  The herbologist is hopeful that after 9 months; Tara can have all her organs working properly again.  So, we are grateful for every day with Tara and her family; although she does suffer pain; I am hopeful that will go away.  Many days she seems not to suffer at all; so that's a good thing. She has been very tired the past month as she added more seizure meds - you have to add meds before you can take any away...

I don't know why I have cried the past two scans; it's tears of relief and tears of "here we are again - facing the brain tumor world" and also tears for others going through cancer battles.  So many emotions all at once.  Tara is amazing to me and I am so lucky to be her mom.  Addie is one very loved little girl and the greatest thing in the world is to see Tara with Josh &  Addie.  We wouldn't be where we are today without all our friends and family and prayers and our Heavenly Father.  We are soooo grateful!!

Love you all!  

Tara's facebook post:

Well he's going to retire! I might have cried when we had to say goodbye... At least he gave me a good report on my beautiful brain!! NO CHANGE! Love you Dr. Shapiro it's been a crazy 4.5 years and I'm glad you were my oncologist!

LikeLike ·  · Share

The times of our lives

Hello all!

Becky here.... I love to hear from Tara, but she is apparently busy LIVING LIFE, so I will post some photos.  I have to say, these are the days of our lives - life is really good!  Tara is living a normal life as much as possible now.  There are many times I am brought to tears as I just watch her with her baby, just holding Addie and enjoying her and it's just too much happiness to hold inside!  I realize at times again, what a miracle it really is that Tara can act like a normal mother with normal mother concerns such as:

Feeding a baby, getting her to sleep, loving her, dressing her up, etc. etc.  

Addie has been a very active baby (no sleepiness from seizure meds for this baby!!) and she has given Tara plenty of challenges - getting her to sleep for longer than 30 or 40 minutes at a time is one of them.  Although she will sleep at night, but of course still wakes up once or twice or sometimes more:)  Anyway, my point is, Tara is loving the regular challenges of life, and she loves this little Addie more than she can imagine!  I love spending time with them both and watching Addie grow, and watching Tara love Addie.  I love seeing Tara happy.

Tara still deals with tiredness from seizure meds and an active baby, some sporadic headaches and dizziness, but thankfully no brain tumors.  I pray every single day for her continued health.  Every day I also pray and am so thankful she is HERE with Josh and Addie. HERE, just living life. And, I am eternally grateful for all of you who also pray for Tara and love her as well!  We wouldn't be where we are without you all! So, here's a few pictures!!!

Tara on the last scan day in Shapiro's office.  Addie made the scan much easier!!!  

Nathan on his high school graduation night with Addie.  I'll be an empty nester in September when Nate leaves for a mission for our church to Hermasillo, Mexico!!

Addie eating bananas for the first time

Today at a doctor's appointment. I love Tara's new short haircut!!! 

Now I know why

It has been almost 4 years since May 14, 2010. Since that day my parents have faithfully been right by my side every step of the way. I simply thought it was because they were my parents and because they loved me. Now I have a little beauty of my own and now I know why.

Now I know why my mom wept uncontrollably in the MRI office after seeing the scan on my brain. Now I know why my father set aside all other tasks to research and confirm that I had the very best treatment possible. Now I know why they flew me to San Francisco to have surgery.  Now I know why they lost sleep night after night and sobbed hours on end. Now I know why my Dad cut my much loved strawberries with care and my mom insisted the nurses not wait to give me pain meds. Now I know why they cried when they saw my 72 staples. Now I know why my mom drove me to every single treatment session and my dad help me nap hours on end at work. Now I know why they hurt so badly whenever I did. Now I understand why my dad insists that he be to every MRI. Now I know why my treatment seemed to hurt them so much.

Before I thought they simply loved me. Now that I have my Adelyn the thought of “simply loving” a child is ridiculous. There is nothing simple about the deep, unconditional, passionate love a parent has for a child. As I sit here I picture my Addie going through what I went through and the thought alone brings uncontrollable sobs. How could something so miserable happen to someone I love this much? My parents love me as much as I love Addie.  I don’t know how they did it…

I love you Mom and Dad. Thank you for loving me…now I think I understand more how much you really do.  

Scan Results

Becky again.... these are Tara's words from facebook - it's easier for her to post on facebook, I'm guessing.

Well it has been 11 months since my last scan...today we heard two of our favorite words..."no change"  I decided to stare at my little Addie instead of the brain scan...I wish I had her for all the other scans...I have less anxiety looking at her than at the scans! Happy day 

Becky here.... I did calm down after my brave break when I vented to all of you; and I credit my calming down due to a blessing I received from my brother who is staying here.  As I was completely losing it; the thought kept coming to me, "you could ask Ron for a blessing."  But I disregarded it telling myself I have cried and cried  before and faced hard things and I could do it again; but I finally listened to the thought and I'm so glad I did.  Suffice it to say, I felt the Lord's love for myself and Tara (again) and I was able to calm down and face the scan calmly with Tara.  Tara didn't seem too rattled and I was so glad.  Thank heavens for little Adelyn to be a wonderful distraction.

I can't say enough thanks for all the prayers and support sent our way.  One other little hopeful piece  - Shapiro said since we made it 11 months without a scan we can now wait for 3 months before our next one.  That is great news in the GBM world.  So, now only 4 times a year will we go through this stress.

Scan day

Becky again....

I am sitting here uncontrollaby crying for no really good reason.  I am mostly crying because I am so touched by the support from all of you.  I went on facebook and saw how many people are praying for sweet Tara today.  I just don't know how we could make it through this without prayer.  So, why am I crying??  Is it because I've already been up since 4:30 and am overly tired?  No, I think the reason I can't stop is because my sweet daughter has to face the brain world again today and she is scared.  I don't like her to have to face this.  I don't want to face it, either.  It's been a nice long break without scans but face it we must.  And we can only do it with the support of the Lord and our friends and family.  I just wish that all she had to face every day was the beautiful face of her little daughter and the love of her husband.  I don't want this to be part of her life.  I know we are likely better people because of it; but this just stinks sometimes. So, I am crying and crying and taking my "brave break" now so I won't do it when I'm with Tara.  Thanks for letting me vent and keep those prayers coming.

Love you all

Pictures of Adelyn!!!

Becky here..... it's a little hard for Tara to post pictures with one hand.... so I'm helping her out and getting some cute pictures on the blog.

There is nothing in the world so miraculous as a baby; and watching Tara, Josh, and little Adelyn together is the MOST heart-warming thing in the whole world!!!  Such a miracle and blessing!  I love this little girl so much!  This is the best!  Now I have 3 grandchildren here to enjoy; and 3 more on the way!  Aaahhhh life is beautiful.  We are so blessed.  Please pray for us as Tara faces the scan / brain world again this week. She has been having headaches but we are blaming them on lack of sleep and hormones.  She does seem to be getting better as the days pass and is recovering from childbirth.  Feeding little Adelyn takes all her time, and as new mothers know, getting anything else other than caring for a baby done during the day is a bonus.  A shower is a bonus, a walk, or any picking up in the house!  I love watching Tara experience the NORMAL things about life - all these experiences with the baby are treasured moments for sure!  We love you all and appreciate your support!