Unite For Taryn's Fight
Donation protected
This year was suppose to be different, but she knows she's not the only one who feels like that.
Flying high off the best year of her life in 2019, Taryn started 2020 excited & hopeful. She was planning her dream wedding in Jamaica with her Fiancé Jerad Shooltz and was recently given an amazing promotion at High life farms, a job she loved.
But on April 21st, everything changed.
After 3 trips to urgent care she was sent to an oral surgeon for what she thought was a reaction from eating chips too fast - causing one to cut the roof of her mouth. Much to her surprise, the oral surgeon told her she needed to drive to U of M immediately for a biopsy. Because of covid-19, she sat in the ER alone, wondering "how bad could it possibly be.." After the biopsy, the doctors came in to tell her it was "probably cancerous" and she will receive a phone call as soon as the results are back. Taryn was taken back.. "That can’t be right" she said. "Cancer?! I eat healthier than almost anyone I know! I was vegetarian for years then a vegan! How is this even possible??!"
3 days and a few PET scans and MRI later, Taryn was diagnosed with a rare form of Melanoma called Mucosal Melanoma. Her doctor confirmed the worst, explaining to her that she not only has a large tumor in her mouth that extends up to her left eye, but it had metastasized to her lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain making it stage 4.
Taryn took it all in with so much courage and strength and was ready to fight. They started her Immunotherapy treatments immediately but as the tumors in her mouth and brain began to grow rapidly, the doctors recommended radiation on both to slow down the progression. After 4 weeks of radiation, she had follow up PET and MRI scans, & was hoping for positive news.
On August 26th, her doctor told her the radiation had helped shrink the biggest spot in her brain and mouth, but unfortunately the scans showed new spots on her brain. The tumor on her liver had almost doubled in size and metastasized in new places throughout her abdomen, as well as numerous spots in her bones.
Her doctor has recommended another round of Immunotherapy, but complications due to fluid on her lungs have caused a delay. Next week, she will undergo 1 round of radiation on her brain that will target her tumors in hopes to slow the progression.
Since day 1 Taryn has stayed SO positive and SO strong. She has the biggest heart and a fighting spirit. Day after day her strength shines, no matter what she is faced with- she refuses to give up. The Doctors at U of M have been great about managing her pain levels to keep her comfortable, as well as putting in a NG tube for her nutrition and medicine. (the tumor in her mouth is quite large making it impossible for her to chew and the radiation has left many painful canker sores)
Due to COVID-19, our options are extremely limited for hosting a benefit to rally together to give all of our love and support to Taryn and Jerad. This is the next best way for everyone to come together to give them both the biggest "virtual" hug we can. Please consider donating to help them with financial burdens that come along with her fight, making it one less thing they have to worry about.
Flying high off the best year of her life in 2019, Taryn started 2020 excited & hopeful. She was planning her dream wedding in Jamaica with her Fiancé Jerad Shooltz and was recently given an amazing promotion at High life farms, a job she loved.
But on April 21st, everything changed.
After 3 trips to urgent care she was sent to an oral surgeon for what she thought was a reaction from eating chips too fast - causing one to cut the roof of her mouth. Much to her surprise, the oral surgeon told her she needed to drive to U of M immediately for a biopsy. Because of covid-19, she sat in the ER alone, wondering "how bad could it possibly be.." After the biopsy, the doctors came in to tell her it was "probably cancerous" and she will receive a phone call as soon as the results are back. Taryn was taken back.. "That can’t be right" she said. "Cancer?! I eat healthier than almost anyone I know! I was vegetarian for years then a vegan! How is this even possible??!"
3 days and a few PET scans and MRI later, Taryn was diagnosed with a rare form of Melanoma called Mucosal Melanoma. Her doctor confirmed the worst, explaining to her that she not only has a large tumor in her mouth that extends up to her left eye, but it had metastasized to her lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain making it stage 4.
Taryn took it all in with so much courage and strength and was ready to fight. They started her Immunotherapy treatments immediately but as the tumors in her mouth and brain began to grow rapidly, the doctors recommended radiation on both to slow down the progression. After 4 weeks of radiation, she had follow up PET and MRI scans, & was hoping for positive news.
On August 26th, her doctor told her the radiation had helped shrink the biggest spot in her brain and mouth, but unfortunately the scans showed new spots on her brain. The tumor on her liver had almost doubled in size and metastasized in new places throughout her abdomen, as well as numerous spots in her bones.
Her doctor has recommended another round of Immunotherapy, but complications due to fluid on her lungs have caused a delay. Next week, she will undergo 1 round of radiation on her brain that will target her tumors in hopes to slow the progression.
Since day 1 Taryn has stayed SO positive and SO strong. She has the biggest heart and a fighting spirit. Day after day her strength shines, no matter what she is faced with- she refuses to give up. The Doctors at U of M have been great about managing her pain levels to keep her comfortable, as well as putting in a NG tube for her nutrition and medicine. (the tumor in her mouth is quite large making it impossible for her to chew and the radiation has left many painful canker sores)
Due to COVID-19, our options are extremely limited for hosting a benefit to rally together to give all of our love and support to Taryn and Jerad. This is the next best way for everyone to come together to give them both the biggest "virtual" hug we can. Please consider donating to help them with financial burdens that come along with her fight, making it one less thing they have to worry about.
Organizer and beneficiary
Annie Dugalech
Organizer
Chesaning, MI
Taryn Guyer
Beneficiary