Tanner’s Story

Site created on January 10, 2023

Hello, there! (Obligatory pause for Star Wars fans to fill in the ______." 


I am creating this website as a one stop shop for all of your "I want to keep up to date on Tanner's medical progress" information. 


"Medical progress?!?" you cry. 


Yes, this website may also be informing you that Tanner is fighting cancer. Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The good news is the diagnosis is relatively common as far as cancers for people my age and typically has good outcomes for patients. The road to recovery is long and will surely throw in many tough days but I am very hopeful for a full recovery.


After a long period of anxious waiting, tests, scans, and so much more, today (1/10/23) is my 1st day of chemotherapy. I am glad that treatment is finally starting. As Gerald and Piggie would say, "waiting is not easy" and this stuff doesn't go away on its own. Thanks Mo Willems! 


Many of you have already offered and given my family and I so much in the months and weeks between my diagnosis and today. Typically, my response has been "I'm not really sure what I'll need" and for the most part that remains true. When needs present themselves I guess this would be the place to check.


Here is one thing I know that can help right now:


1. I am taking FMLA leave for the spring to focus on my health and treatment. If you are a music teacher of some experience you know how taxing that profession can be and the diversity of knowledge you really need to support your students. Feel free to reach out to my AMAZING student teacher, Autumn Knight, to see if she needs any support as she navigates a full teaching schedule, a credential program, and more. I know that the Bidwell students are in good hands and the knowledge that you all are available to support her as well will ease my stress. 


Many have already sent so many thoughtful and caring messages. I have found it difficult to adequately respond to you all but know that they lift my heart and that when I can or feel up to it I will reply. Meredith, Ellie (6), Sage (4), and I love you all and are so thankful for the support from our community, my Bidwell family, and so many more. And I am so lucky to have all of you in my life!

Newest Update

May 25, 2023

Journal entry by Tanner Johns —

Hello everyone! 

Chemo has been done for awhile now and after some time to recover I feel immensely better. No radiation was deemed needed which was an added bonus surprise.

As discussed in my previous post, I'll be having a procedure done on my heart tomorrow morning at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. This procedure will replace one of my heart valves. The good news is that the procedure will be relatively minor compared to the one I had done 10 years ago and I should be checking out on Saturday to head home. I will update you all when I can post surgery. My parents and Meredith's mom will be taking care of Ellie and Sage until we return and I'm sure the grandparents will more than spoil them in the way only grandparents can.

Meredith is here with me. We stopped on our way here and had an AMAZING dinner. It was a pretty nice luxury for sure. 

I feel calm. This feels like a finish line of sorts after a year of doctor appointments, labs, scans, surgeries,  chemo, and more and I can finally (hopefully) get back to really living the life I want with my family and friends.

Goodnight out there and as always I'm sending out the love to you all.

Read More of the journal titled "May 25, 2023"
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