Support Jamie and Jonathan Tafoya
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Jamie and Jonathan Tafoya have been together in spirit since they were 17. A teenage romance led to an adult friendship where they never lost touch.
Jamie was first visited by cancer a decade ago. Her prognosis then was less severe, but it was a hard fight and Jamie is a soldier. Jonathan watched from afar, knowing the connection the two of them had but not being able to help.
As Jamie's cancer went into remission, Jonathan's health declined. They began to talk more and more but the distance between Phoenix and Portland divided them. After Jonathan was involved in an auto crash when his health was already at it's lowest, Jamie quit her job, jumped in her car and headed to Portland.
Jamie's influence on Jonathan was measurable. She was there for him when he needed her most. Together they had an understanding. They've both experienced sickness and pain and knew the empathy that each other needed. With her support, Jonathan's health improved. They were able to find jobs and live normal lives.
Over a period of several months in 2012 Jamie's health began to decline. She was having a hard time walking, her legs weren't doing what she wanted them to. Unfortunately without access to health insurance there were fears about emergency room costs and so she delayed, and just kept hoping things would get better.
She was a trooper during these times, refusing to give up anything. She pushed herself up and down the stairs, did what she wanted and needed to do. Whatever was happening wouldn't stop her.
At the end of July 2012 the pain had gotten so bad that a hospital visit became necessary. What they thought would be an exam followed by a discharge turned into something else when one of the doctors recognized the symptoms and the scans showed a massive tumor in Jamie's brain.
Eventually it was discovered that the colorectal cancer she'd fought off previously had returned and spread to her lungs and brain. It was now Stage 4 and the prognosis was grim.
The neurosurgery department at Providence St. Vincent had a different strategy. They had a plan to operate and remove the tumor in her brain which was the cause of her mobility issues. It would be a long road forward, but it offered the greatest chance of survival and relief.
One of Jamie's greatest wishes was to be married to her love, Jonathan. So while the surgery was being planned and the outcome was unclear, Jamie popped the question and when that moment arrived he said "Yes" without hesitation.
The next days were a whirlwind of activity between planning for the surgery and planning for a wedding. The marriage license was secured, and a gown was lent. The hospital went into action securing the logistics.
Word of their love and commitment got out and it became front page news.
The ceremony was beautiful, and the next day's surgery went without incident.
Jamie, showing the strength that she's continually showed, recovered in record time. She was awake before anyone expected. They let Jonathan stay in the ICU so he could be the first thing she saw when she woke up.
She was out of the hospital in record time, and they moved back with Jonathan's parents.
Over the next months and years Jamie's recovery continued. They did as much radiation and chemotherapy as Jamie could handle. Jamie's road had many ups and downs but they kept moving forward, always making the best out of a terrible situation.
Jonathan worked hard to keep his babe happy. He set up peaceful aquariums to keep the stress away. They went on a cruise, visited Mexico and swam with the dolphins.
Jonathan had to be strong. Stronger than he's ever been. His weight had been an issue for his whole life, but it needed to be conquered. Over a period of two years he lost over 200 pounds and put on muscle. As time went on and things got worse, Jonathan just got stronger. Along the way he's inspired many, especially those closest to him, to change their lives, eat healthy and get exercise.
Before:
After:
After almost four years of fighting Jamie suffered a seizure on New Year's Eve -- 12/31/2015. She spent the first first month and a half of 2016 in the hospital recovering and undergoing diagnosis. She was eventually able to come home but life has been tough and Jonathan has put every bit of himself into the fight.
Unfortunately the cancer in Jamie's brain has spread significantly. She's been living in constant pain and suffered a sharp decrease in mobility. They've tried different therapies and procedures including a gamma knife procedure so precise that her head had to be secured so well that it couldn't even move a micron:
These have given Jamie time and as much comfort as possible, but ultimately have not won the battle.
At this point the doctors have reached the limit of what they are able to do and Jamie's final days are drawing close.
The Tafoya family needs help. The supplies needed to keep things going are expensive and they are drained financially. Unfortunately when the end comes they also need assistance with the service and final matters. Jonathan has also completely invested himself in providing 24/7 care for Jamie and while he's been miraculously able to receive a salary as a caregiver from the state, that will stop when Jamie passes, while his financial realities continue.
Please help while we still have Jamie in our lives and provide peace for this family that cares so much about everyone.
All funds raised go directly to Jonathan Tafoya for help with today's and future needs. He is attached to this campaign.
PS: My name is Casey McEnaney and I've been Jonathan's friend for over 10 years. We've lived in many homes together both physical and virtual. Jonathan requested the creation of this campaign, he's emotionally taxed and wasn't in a position to set it up himself.
Jamie was first visited by cancer a decade ago. Her prognosis then was less severe, but it was a hard fight and Jamie is a soldier. Jonathan watched from afar, knowing the connection the two of them had but not being able to help.
As Jamie's cancer went into remission, Jonathan's health declined. They began to talk more and more but the distance between Phoenix and Portland divided them. After Jonathan was involved in an auto crash when his health was already at it's lowest, Jamie quit her job, jumped in her car and headed to Portland.
Jamie's influence on Jonathan was measurable. She was there for him when he needed her most. Together they had an understanding. They've both experienced sickness and pain and knew the empathy that each other needed. With her support, Jonathan's health improved. They were able to find jobs and live normal lives.
Over a period of several months in 2012 Jamie's health began to decline. She was having a hard time walking, her legs weren't doing what she wanted them to. Unfortunately without access to health insurance there were fears about emergency room costs and so she delayed, and just kept hoping things would get better.
She was a trooper during these times, refusing to give up anything. She pushed herself up and down the stairs, did what she wanted and needed to do. Whatever was happening wouldn't stop her.
At the end of July 2012 the pain had gotten so bad that a hospital visit became necessary. What they thought would be an exam followed by a discharge turned into something else when one of the doctors recognized the symptoms and the scans showed a massive tumor in Jamie's brain.
Eventually it was discovered that the colorectal cancer she'd fought off previously had returned and spread to her lungs and brain. It was now Stage 4 and the prognosis was grim.
The neurosurgery department at Providence St. Vincent had a different strategy. They had a plan to operate and remove the tumor in her brain which was the cause of her mobility issues. It would be a long road forward, but it offered the greatest chance of survival and relief.
One of Jamie's greatest wishes was to be married to her love, Jonathan. So while the surgery was being planned and the outcome was unclear, Jamie popped the question and when that moment arrived he said "Yes" without hesitation.
The next days were a whirlwind of activity between planning for the surgery and planning for a wedding. The marriage license was secured, and a gown was lent. The hospital went into action securing the logistics.
Word of their love and commitment got out and it became front page news.
The ceremony was beautiful, and the next day's surgery went without incident.
Jamie, showing the strength that she's continually showed, recovered in record time. She was awake before anyone expected. They let Jonathan stay in the ICU so he could be the first thing she saw when she woke up.
She was out of the hospital in record time, and they moved back with Jonathan's parents.
Over the next months and years Jamie's recovery continued. They did as much radiation and chemotherapy as Jamie could handle. Jamie's road had many ups and downs but they kept moving forward, always making the best out of a terrible situation.
Jonathan worked hard to keep his babe happy. He set up peaceful aquariums to keep the stress away. They went on a cruise, visited Mexico and swam with the dolphins.
Jonathan had to be strong. Stronger than he's ever been. His weight had been an issue for his whole life, but it needed to be conquered. Over a period of two years he lost over 200 pounds and put on muscle. As time went on and things got worse, Jonathan just got stronger. Along the way he's inspired many, especially those closest to him, to change their lives, eat healthy and get exercise.
Before:
After:
After almost four years of fighting Jamie suffered a seizure on New Year's Eve -- 12/31/2015. She spent the first first month and a half of 2016 in the hospital recovering and undergoing diagnosis. She was eventually able to come home but life has been tough and Jonathan has put every bit of himself into the fight.
Unfortunately the cancer in Jamie's brain has spread significantly. She's been living in constant pain and suffered a sharp decrease in mobility. They've tried different therapies and procedures including a gamma knife procedure so precise that her head had to be secured so well that it couldn't even move a micron:
These have given Jamie time and as much comfort as possible, but ultimately have not won the battle.
At this point the doctors have reached the limit of what they are able to do and Jamie's final days are drawing close.
The Tafoya family needs help. The supplies needed to keep things going are expensive and they are drained financially. Unfortunately when the end comes they also need assistance with the service and final matters. Jonathan has also completely invested himself in providing 24/7 care for Jamie and while he's been miraculously able to receive a salary as a caregiver from the state, that will stop when Jamie passes, while his financial realities continue.
Please help while we still have Jamie in our lives and provide peace for this family that cares so much about everyone.
All funds raised go directly to Jonathan Tafoya for help with today's and future needs. He is attached to this campaign.
PS: My name is Casey McEnaney and I've been Jonathan's friend for over 10 years. We've lived in many homes together both physical and virtual. Jonathan requested the creation of this campaign, he's emotionally taxed and wasn't in a position to set it up himself.
Organizer and beneficiary
Casey McEnaney
Organizer
Portland, OR
Jonathan Tafoya
Beneficiary