Cally Shanahan Cancer Benefit Continues..

The Benefit show was a great success and an exciting, fun evening with some very special musicians who gave it their best to throw Cally an amazing show. We appreciate all of the people who supported, bought tickets, donated items & services and all those who participated with the event. THANK YOU ALL!

We will be creating special online auctions to be setup soon. All funds raised go directly to the Cally account. Anyone who would like to offer items, please contact us to coordinate.

email: benefit4cally@gmail.com

We still have the US Bank account setup to receive donations for the: Cally Shanahan Cancer Benefit. To donate you can go into any US Bank nationwide or online using the link button here.

Please continue to share this info with others.

 

More photos here
and
Here
 

...how I got here and how it's changed me

I want to share my adventure in Breast Cancer with you all. Some of you know me well and many I am just meeting. With all the support you have shown I thought I would like to write down my journey thus far to give you all a good picture of who Cally Shanahan is......

• ~past few years~ I had not been feeling well over all but chalked everything wrong with me to stress. You see I recently been divorced 11/07 (which was very hard on me) and then just as I was begining to bounce back my youngest daugther was in a freak fire accident 7/7/09 (which devastated me). Our family spent 6 weeks in the Oregon Burn Center and of course I kept thinking I was just stressed out due to all that was going on in my life.

• ~August 18, 2010~ I went in for a routine mammogram and check up. It had been two years since my last one. Within a week the doctors office was calling me saying they needed to do another mammogram. Nervous I went in with my friend and they did a biopsy and took more pictures. The next few weeks were seemed like an eternity.

• ~September 24, 2010~ I got the call. "Ms. Shanahan, you have breast cancer". I was at work and just totally lost it. All my friends came to my classroom and there were many tears and hugs. "What do I do now?" I called my Mom!!!!! I recall being so numb, scared, angry, and sick to my stomach. The doctor set me up with a cancer surgeon right away. I meet Dr. Sarah Cowgill and was instantly put to ease. She talked me through everything and told me a lumpectomy and test of my lymph nod's would be the first surgery and hopefully the last.

• ~October 7, 2010~ I went in for surgery as scheduled. When I woke up I had had my lumpectomy but bad news was that they had to remove 27 of my lymph nod's because the cancer had spread to them. I was in so much pain and worry now. "If it spread there, is it in other parts of my body?" During my two weeks recovery I got more bad news. The pathology report showed that not all the visible cancer was removed during the lumpectomy. The tumor was bigger than first seen. My parents came to see me for about a week during this time.... I am so grateful that they were here!!!!!!!

• ~October 26,2010~ Second lumpectomy surgery. The surgery went well. Spent the next few weeks trying not to worry and recover. Need to get ready for what chemo will bring to my life.

• ~November 7, 2010~ "This can't be happening" is all I could think when I went in for my two week check up. Dr. Cowgill tells me there is still visible cancer in my left breast and she can't "swiss cheese" it to get it all. Time to have a mastectomy. "???? Now I have to cut them off???" I decided to do the double mastectomy (doctor said it was best and I agreed). I don't want to go through this again, please!!! Over the next few weeks I meet with my plastic surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist. Time to make a game plan as to how this will all fall into place now.
  

• ~December 2, 2010~ Surgery will last 2 1/2 to 3 hours... I am angry, scared, worried, in a state of panic, sad, overwhelmed to say the least. Surgery went good, plus the plastic surgeon doctor was able to put in my permanent implants and I don't have to deal with temporary implants. Mom, sister Cathleen were here and I am so glad they were. Looking at ones body when nothing seems real on it anymore is easier to deal with when Mom and Cathleen were here to help me see myself for the first time after surgery. It was a 3 week recovery time to I went to NM to spent Christmas with my family. I am happy I got that time with them. I had not spent Christmas with my parents/family for over 5 years. I was a good place to recover. My recovery time ended up being more like 7 weeks. Anxious to get chemo started and get on with my life.

• ~February 4, 2011~ Chemo treatments start. All in all the first 4 treatments went well. I was having treatments every other Friday. This first round of chemo lasted 16 weeks. I had some stomach issues and did not feel much like eating however in the larger scheme if things I could have been very sick and down. I was on 5 anti nausea meds and had to give myself shots in between chemo treatments (this was my daughter Erika's joy to do for me). Check ups in between treatments to watch my blood levels and I continued to try to work too. Towards the end of this 16 week time I could feel my body saying slow down. I decided to take an extended leave of absences from work. This leave would not be possible if it were not for my co-workers. So many of them donated there sick time to me so that I could stay home and rest and not loose my benefits or pay! I love my job!!!! and my Cascade Middle School family. I don't know how I will every show them what they have done for me.

• ~April 1, 2011~ Started new drug on chemo treatments. I should have know this was going to be a day that would turn things upside down..... Mom arrived a few days before to see me for about 3 weeks. I did okay the day of chemo and the day after. By Sunday 4/3 I was not feeling like a human anymore. My entire body ached and I was so nausea's. By Thursday 4/6 I was calling doc, nurse, pharmacists... "Was I supposed to feel this bad?" On Friday morning I could not take it anymore. Called in again and they said get to ER right away!!! Spent the next 5 days in the hospital. I felt like I was in a episode of HOUSE. So many specialty doctors coming in and assessing me and no one knew for sure what the problem was. I was finally diagnosed with an allergic reaction to the new chemo drug and it gave me a lung infection. I have to use oxygen now when I am up and around and I have a nice pharmacy on my bathroom counter to help clear this all up. Needless to say chemo is on hold until this lung infection is cleared up and I hope to be off the oxygen soon also.

• ~Today~ I still don't feel human and I want desperately to have my life back. I am grateful for all the doctors, family and friends in my life. I don't know what tomorrow will bring but I do know that this girl will SURVIVE! I am head strong and strong willed. I am blessed to have so many people on my side. Tracy Elbert..... you are amazing, wonderful and a great friend. All my besties at Cascade - Tricia, Lori, Kathy, MaryKay, and Cheryl.... thank you for always being there. And to my besties Rosa, Coll, Sheri, and Andrea....I look forward to the next concert and road trip! With out Erika and Alex (my daughters), Mom/Dad, Cathleen, Steve, Greg, Martha, and Charleen I would be lost.

<3 Cally

Shout Out For Help!!

Hello its me!
 
I am hitting up all my friends for some assistance with a special event.
 
The Refectory and my super talented friends have come together to perform a full concert style show - these guys are some of the best in Portland! A special guest appearance is in the works as well (people would recognize if he was wearing Red Leather Pants) TBA. We have some silly contests and all out fantastic evening planned. Cally is fighting the good fight against breast cancer and going through chemo right now.
 
If you want to assist in any way, or know anyone that would like to or has a business that would – Please Contact Me!
*Anyone who wants to assist with flier distribution or assist with anything during the event, just ask. 
* Have a Race For The Cure Team that still needs members? Get your team signup info to me, we will have it at the event to fill it up!
* I am still looking for some major sponsors - any items to give as prizes, silent auction, gift certs, merchandise.

Donations of $100 or more will be considered Platinum and promo’d with shout-outs on our blog and at the show.
 
I am also asking you to share this with your friends, family, co-workers and anyone to help me get the word out so we can have a full house to raise awareness, donations and have a blast doing it!
 
Hope to see you there!
 
Thank you so much,
Tracy Elbert
 
Stay current on Cally's progress, fund raising efforts and updated show details: http://rock4cally.blogspot.com/

***************

OFFICIAL EVENT NOTICE:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106969562715232

Notorious Night of Rock Benefit for Cancer

April 21, 7:30pm at The Refectory
The Toyz * LOVEDRIVE * Phamous Phaces
Your Favorite 80's Tunes w/Special Loverboy Tribute Set
and special guest? hmm, could happen...

       *Silent Auction of stuff from real rock stars and cool people
       *Prizes & Give-Aways!
       *Race for the Cure sign-up
       *Breast Cancer Awareness
       *RED LEATHER PANTS CONTEST* Bring it!!
       *All Star Jam with all our rock star friends (if time allows)

100% of all concert proceeds benefit Cally Shanahan's mounting medical bills while she fights her courageous war on beating cancer. Also, a portion of money raised will be donated to a Breast Cancer Foundation.

If you cannot attend, consider making a donation.
You can donate at any US Bank nationwide to:
The Cally Shanahan Cancer Benefit

$10 Pre-sale (online only, $12 at the door)
Tickets on sale now!: http://rock4cally.blogspot.com/
Donations can also be made online!!

*******************************************************
...Our Headliner Band will Feature the music of Loverboy, Cally's all time favorite!! Loverboy set will be performed by the phenomenal tour band, Phamous Phaces. An All Star Jam will follow to close out the night. If you're an artist, come show us your chops!

Musical Guests in order of appearance: 
*The Toyz - 80's and Rock Covers, your favorite radio hits
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Voodoo-RadioThe-Toyz/112035232158243

*Lovedrive - The Premier NW Scorpions Tribute
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovedrive-NW-Premier-Scorpions-Tribute/138751749518746
http://www.myspace.com/scorpionstributelovedrive

*Phamous Phaces - Personify High Energy Classic Rock & Power Pop.
http://www.facebook.com/phamous.phaces
http://www.phamousphaces.com/

You may follow our blog to stay current on Cally's progress, fund raising efforts and updated show details: http://rock4cally.blogspot.com/

Notorious Cancer Benefit -- Breaking News!

Great News! US Bank is on our team! Just walk into any US Bank nationwide then tell them you want to donate to:  The Cally Shanahan Cancer Benefit
We will be collecting monetary donations via US Bank and this website through April 2011. Donations will also be raised through ticket sales for Notorious Night of Rock, Cancer Benefit Concert - stay tuned for Pre-Sale tickets and additional concert info coming soon... big announcements! 

There will be a silent auction of some incredible offerings during the show on April 21, 2011. This night is sure to raise the roof and we are excited to have some incredible musicians and activities for a wonderful cause.

100% of all concert proceeds benefit Cally Shanahan's mounting medical bills while she fights her courageous war on beating cancer. Cally will be donating a portion of money raised to a Breast Cancer Foundation that she chooses.  

Watch this space for an online Donation Button (via Paypal) 
Concert Pre-Sale tickets will be available here as well. 


Help us spread the word!

Notorious Night of Rock - Concert Benefit - Please RSVP!

Notorious Night of Rock - Concert for Cancer

Notorious Night of Rock - Benefit for Cancer

3 Bands Scheduled: The Toyz - LOVEDRIVE - Phamous Phaces

PLUS!! ...Our Headliner Band will Feature the music of Loverboy, Cally's all time favorite!! Loverboy set will be performed by the phenomenal tour band, Phamous Phaces. An All Star Jam will follow to close out the night. If you're an artist, come show us your chops!

Musical Guests in order of appearance:
... - The Toyz, 80's and Rock Covers, your favorite radio hits
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Voodoo-RadioThe-Toyz/112035232158243

- Lovedrive, The Premier NW Scorpions Tribute
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lovedrive-NW-Premier-Scorpions-Tribute/138751749518746
http://www.myspace.com/scorpionstributelovedrive

- Phamous Phaces - Personify High Energy Classic Rock & Power Pop.
http://www.facebook.com/phamous.phaces
http://www.phamousphaces.com/

100% of all concert proceeds benefit Cally Shanahan's mounting medical bills while she fights her courageous war on beating cancer. Also, a portion of money raised will be donated to the a Breast Cancer Foundation.

Please join our group "Cally's Rock Show" to stay current on Cally's progress, fund raising efforts and updated show details.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_195152090505190

Notorious Night of Rock for Cancer
Music Starts at 8pm - Ticket Price (TBD)
21 and Older only