“Second Chance” Documentary

Good Afternoon,

I hope everyone is doing well. It’s been a very long time since my last post, but life took on some unexpected twists and turns. I was gravely ill for an extended period of time. However, I’m fast forwarding in time now.

In this time of sadness, darkness, uncertainty & trepidation, I would like to share the trailer link to “Second Chance” Documentary (Copyright 2018) produced by Matthew White of 4th Coast
Productions. This is a story about hope, strength, courage & love.

http://www.4thcoastproductions.com/secondchancedocumentary

Please help share our story with the world🌍

Most importantly, please stay safe and healthy.

❤️Tara

Tara’s Transplant Journey 
March 22, 2018
Dear Mr. Anonymous Donor,
I hope you’re doing well today. I don’t know where you live, but I’m from Merrick, NY. Last night, we got about a foot of snow on the first day of spring. How ironic! I had to be in NYC at the hospital this morning. I tried to get a good nights sleep, but needless to say, that didn’t happen. I was so worried about getting in and whether or not my appointment would be canceled. Thankfully, it all worked out, and I’m here right now.
I like the quiet and stillness of the night. It allows me to just take a breath, collect my thoughts, and I certainly do my best writing then. My days are sometimes very hectic. As you know, I have 2 kids who keep me quite busy within the best of my abilities. I guess I should tell you a little about me. I’m 53 years old. I’m married to a wonderful family man named Barry for 21 years. He made sure to stand by my side and keep our family together despite my Disease, not an easy task by any means but certainly a great life lesson! I have an incredible family as well, mom, dad, sister, nieces, nephews and mother- in-law. They have all stood by my side throughout this ordeal, as it takes a village to raise a child.
Before getting really sick, I was a Special Education Teacher and taught for 18 years. I absolutely loved my job and miss it each and every day. I became real ill in 2006, and it took 5 years to get properly diagnosed. I traveled to many different hospitals in the US before being diagnosed by a doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Massachusetts. By the time I was diagnosed with Mast Cell Disease, I was 100 pounds, on a feeding tube 12 hours a day and real close to death. Over the years, I tried many different treatments to no avail. I  had an Autologous Transplant back in July 2015 that worked for a bit, and then i regressed. I then tried other chemotherapies with no success. My disease causes me to have allergic reactions to so many things including foods, chemicals, odors, medicines, altitude changes, temperature changes, environmental allergens and other things. My reactions are daily and can cause anaphylactic episodes. It’s a very scary disease.
My appointment today involved going over general procedures and information. Right now, you’re a name to my doctors in a computer database without CMV, with my blood type and with my HLA typing. You remain completely anonymous to me except that you’re the youngest male in the bank. One day, your anonymity will reveal the real you. I can’t wait for June 2019.
My admission date will either be May 21, 2018 or May 29, 2018. The conditioning regimen will last 9 days, and I will be transplanted on the 10th day of my admission.
I’m one day closer to meeting you❤️
❤️Tara
Tara’s Transplant Journey 
March 21, 2018
Dear Mr. Anonymous Donor,
I don’t know a single personal thing about you, only that you are young and you’re a male. I do know I will be thanking G-d each and every day for you. When my doctors finally agreed to proceed after twelve brutal years of battling Mast Cell Disease, I requested a young, strong, healthy male who is kind, gentle, good-hearted, compassionate, considerate, thoughtful and loving to help me “Brave My Storm,” find my “Second Chance” at living and be my Perfect Match! I’m sure you’re everything I prayed and asked for and then some.
While we have started some preliminary steps, my insurance company approved Zone 1 which will allow me to begin my pre-transplant testing. This has been years in the making with many hurdles and obstacles to overcome, but we are finally here. I have so many mixed emotions swirling around inside my worn out mind, feelings of elation, feelings of gratitude, feelings of excitement, feelings of apprehension, feelings of fear, to name a few. No matter what, there’s no turning back now.
Tomorrow, I will visit my doctor, and the process will officially begin. I hope I don’t shed too many tears. I know it will be one hell of an emotional day for me. I’m confident you’re going to give me my life back, something I was so prematurely robbed of.
Music has been extremely inspirational to me during this process. I’m married with two children. I have a 17 year old son and a 13 year old daughter. Both have been involved with music since they were very young. My son plays the trumpet, and my daughter plays the saxophone and sings. This whole process has led us to co-write a few original inspirational songs with Robbie Rosen (American Idol Finalist/Singer/Songwriter/Producer
/Pianist /Vocal Coach) and Michael Guerriero (Songwriter/Producer/Teacher) that I can’t wait to share with you. Honestly, music gave me hope, strength and the determination to live. Together, we will “Brave My Storm,” get a “Second Chance” at life, and you will surely be my “Perfect Match.”
I’m going to try to journal this whole journey to share with you and the rest of the world!
I’m one day closer to meeting
you❤️
❤️Tara

Tara’s Transplant Journey 

March 19, 2018 @ 5:52 PM-The phone call that I awaited for the last almost 12 years came in from my Case Manager. Even she was excited and told me she’s been waiting a long time to make this call. It was great news. The medical director had approved Zone 1 of the transplant process. It felt surreal, but this was the real deal. The process was really beginning. I would be starting all of the pre-transplant testing soon. I’m so ready!!