New Mother Fighting Hard After Heartbreaking Diagnosis

Two weeks ago we shared with you the story of Emily, whose mother passed away before she received her Annie & Isabel designer hospital gowns. Emily chose to donate the gowns to other well deserving women who were going through some life challenges. The first gown was donated to Jaime, who is battling cervical cancer.  You can read about Emily and Jaime here : "Passing Along The Love".

Yesterday we learned of a beautiful new mother who was diagnosed with brain cancer just two days after giving birth to her baby boy. Tammy was 5 months pregnant when doctors discovered she had a small tumor in her brain. They planned on waiting until after her baby was born to surgically remove the tumor, however, a few months later, Tammy started having more severe headaches. Another MRI was performed which showed that her tumor had grown by over 50% from the previous MRI. It was determined that Tammy needed to have surgery sooner rather than later. Tammy delivered a healthy baby boy on March 20th via c-section and two days later went in for surgery to remove her brain tumor. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to completely remove her tumor and the pathology came back that the tumor was an aggressive form of cancer called atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor. She was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer due to the fact that it had already spread within the brain and to her spine.

Tammy after surgery to remove part of her brain tumor

Tammy has been in the hospital since the birth of her baby, receiving chemotherapy and radiation. She has been unable to walk during this time but she has maintained a positive attitude and a will to fight as you can see from the beautiful smile in all these pictures.

Tammy showing off her sweet baby after a radiation treatment

Tammy is twenty-eight years old and needs as many thoughts and prayers sent her way to help her continue to fight through her treatments and kick cancer!

Tammy with her husband and newborn baby boy

When we heard about Tammy, we knew she would be the perfect person to receive the second hospital gown that Emily donated. Due to Emily's generosity, we will be able to help brighten Tammy's hospital stays a little more with our "Anita" hospital gown. Tammy picked out the Anita hospital gown herself and we think it is just perfect for her.  

The card that comes with our Anita gown says "May home always be your comfort". Our wish for Tammy is that she may become cancer free and soon enjoy the comforts of her own home!

Tammy, we are sending thoughts and prayers your way. Hold on tight to your sweet baby boy, your loving husband and family, and fight hard. Hopefully you can find strength from the many people that are already sending prayers your way.  

Passing Along The Love

One of the privileges of having a business like Annie & Isabel is that we often have the opportunity to "meet" very brave, giving, and loving women. Less than a week ago, we received an email from Emily. She wrote to us about her sixty-six year old mother, who was struggling with Alzheimers, and had recently become bed bound.

Dressing her mother in regular clothing was becoming difficult and Emily wanted her to have something stylish to wear. Fashion and style were always important to her mother and she didn't want her mother to have to sacrifice that now. Emily thought that Annie & Isabel hospital gowns would be the perfect solution, so she purchased two gowns for her mom.  We sent them out the next day. We then received this sad, yet beautiful, email from Emily:

"Unfortunately mom passed away Saturday morning before she got the chance to put on her gown (she only wore the drab one from the facility for a couple of hours, though. They kept her in her usual fashionable wardrobe almost until the end). Fortunately, and most importantly, it was very peaceful and my dad and I were there to hold her hand."

Emily is seated next to her mother 

"I was wondering if I could turn around and send the gowns back to you all so that you could donate them to 1-2 deserving women who need them now. The refund isn't important but getting them into the hands of women who need them is and I would love to help you all out with that."

What a beautiful way to honor her mother by passing on the comfort, style and dignity provided by our gowns to other deserving women.

At the same time that we were corresponding with Emily, coincidentally, we received an email from another woman, Kaitlyn, who told us about her sister, Jaime, who is dealing with a recent diagnosis of cervical cancer that has spread significantly.  Jaime is going to be having surgery, radiation and possibly chemotherapy soon. Kaitlyn wrote to us saying:

 "I feel ashamed asking for something from a total stranger but my sister saw your site and really wanted something comfortable and pretty to wear during her hospital duration. Would you be able to give her a gown as I can't afford one and neither can she?"

Jaime is having extensive surgery today and, thanks to the generosity and giving spirit of Emily, Jaime will be recovering in our Anita gown.

Jaime is described by her sister as one of the most selfless people she knows. She has been married for 12 years to her high school sweetheart and has two small children that are 7 and 5 years old who mean the world to her. She always thinks of others before herself and has been known to give other children Christmas presents when their parents couldn't afford them. Kaitlyn wrote, "She is a strong person and I know she will fight this."

We would love it if you would send good thoughts and prayers for Jaime that she has a successful surgery today and that she can fight and win this battle. We would also love it if you could keep Emily and her family in your thoughts as they celebrate her mother's life and deal with a huge loss in their own lives.

May we all learn from these beautiful women and their selfless acts of kindness. It only takes a small act to make a big difference in someone's life. We challenge you all to do something selfless this week and make a difference in someone's life.  Good works can have a trickle down effect.

Feel Better Campaign Recipient Needs Prayers ~ Delivering Baby Boy With Heart Defect Tomorrow

We are so happy to welcome the Marpepp family into our Feel Better Campaign. We learned about this family through a Facebook page we follow called, Enjoying the Small Things - Kelle Hampton. The mother, Jessica Marpepp, wrote the following message on Kelle's Facebook wall:

"Dear Kelle,

I hope you don't mind but I'm going to pour my heart out to you a little bit. From the first day I read your blog, I felt a kind of hope, and peace, and strength. I think, on some level, God brought me to you to prepare myself. I have a typical (and wonderful) little boy who is 2.5 and I am due on February 25th with another little boy who has been diagnosed with two heart defects. From the first weeks of pregnancy, I felt that something was wrong. I bled, he had a scarily thickenened nuchal translucency, it was one thing after another. The doctors kept telling me to prepare for a miscarriage but the universe had other plans, and my little boy and I held on to each other. When they started doing all the tests, I was nervous, but because your blog had introduced so much love and acceptance for all children, I just wanted my child to survive. After the heart tests, the doctors brought me into a conference room - let me tell you - you never want to be invited into a conference room. Once there, they pulled out a diagram of his heart and pointed to the chamber that just couldn't make it work right. Phrases like "long road" were thrown around. I nodded and took notes and held my breath. Then I got home and wept and grieved in the ways I needed to grieve. And then I read your blog and felt hope and love again. I realized that I was ready to walk that long road and that, in fact, I was filled with joy that this child was coming into my life."

Jessica is going to give birth to her second son tomorrow via c-section and her baby boy will have some significant heart defects that will eventually require surgery. It is a very exciting time for them as they will be adding a new little one to the family, yet, it is also very scary because they will not know what to expect until he is born. We would LOVE your help in surrounding her family with love, good thoughts, and prayer.We are hoping this new little baby boy will be able to overcome any obstacles and enjoy a sweet life with his big brother and family.

Mother, Jessica, and Big Brother:-)

So, once again, we are asking for you help in spreading her story by hitting "LIKE" on our Facebook post and by sharing this post to get this to go viral and get a huge number of people behind this family!! We need you to start firing up the prayers tonight to hopefully bring a stable little baby into the world tomorrow. You have done it before so LET'S DO IT AGAIN!!! Please also leave messages of support underneath the Facebook post.  

Jessica picked out the "Isabel" designer hospital gown to wear as she welcomes her little boy into the world and we love why she chose this gown. 

The card we send with all our "Isabel" gowns says, "We Wish You the Grace and Strength of Our Grandmother". Jessica wrote to us saying, 

"My Grandmother was an amazing woman and I felt like maybe this gown would lend me a bit of YOUR grandmother's grace and strength on top of my Grandmother's memory.How could I go wrong with that?" 

We completely agree, Jessica. You have already shown great strength throughout this pregnancy and we know our grandmother and your grandmother will provide even more strength as you embark on this new journey. Hugs!!

Rachel Welcomes 3rd Baby in Our Elizabeth Hospital Gown

If you've had the opportunity to gift an Annie & Isabel designer hospital gown, you know how good it feels to know someone you love felt dignified, pretty, and special during an often vulnerable time in the hospital. We often hear from customers that giving Annie & Isabel is much more rewarding than flowers, balloons, or magazines because of the positive impact something as simple as a hospital gown makes. Always guaranteed to bring smiles to all!  

When my high school girlfriend Rachel announced she was going to have her third baby boy, we felt so honored to be a part of her special day even though we live hundreds of miles away. Here is what she had to say about her experience wearing Annie & Isabel for TWO births, 

"I just gave birth to my third and final baby boy! He is sure a gift from Heaven! I found out I was pregnant with my third baby on Mother's Day and it couldn't have been more perfect. My husband and I had a bit of a hard time conceiving with our first child in and after a year of trying we took a break and wouldn't you know it...we were pregnant! When we decided to have another baby, we experienced the same issues. We went to a fertility specialist who immediately told us upon meeting us that we would probably not conceive naturally and that we should consider her services. She went on to tell us that our first son was probably a fluke....thanks, lady!! Leaving that place frustrated and sad, we decided to give it the good ol' college try and wait four months before we went back to the specialist. On that fourth month, in April of 2009, we found out that we were expecting another baby! When we found out it was another boy we knew we wanted to name him Lucas. To this day we have a running family joke and have nicknamed him "Flukas"! Apparently we were not as infertile as she thought. At that time, I was lucky to know two AMAZING ladies who started making beautiful hospital gowns...wink! I was able to wear one of their very first gowns, a sample Isabel gown, that didn't even have the signature lovebug on the sleeve yet. This time around, I couldn't wait to call Selena, not to tell her I was pregnant with baby #3, but to tell her exactly which gown I had my heart set on. I didn't care that I was only one day pregnant! I knew I was going to wear another gown.. and once again that specialist was wrong...AGAIN! Fast forward to December and I couldn't wait for the mail to arrive...my Elizabeth gown was here...even prettier in person. I first saw it on owner Anna when she went in for surgery for her cancer and I fell in love. I loved walking into the room and telling the nurse that I have my own gown. I felt so pretty and comfortable and clean...nobody had worn this gown except for me. I was so excited to find out that my nurse was 5 months pregnant and already she said she was going to get one for her birth. Good thing Selena put some business cards in the pocket of my gown...such a good touch! Then my doctor came in and remembered my last gown, so I gave her the other 3 business cards. She said she loves the gowns and knows some people who might love them too...who wouldn't??!! I am so proud of these two ladies, Selena and Anna, that I have know for almost 22 years! I will continue to buy these gowns for any future preggie friends. I am so lucky to have three amazing and healthy boys and hope that anyone reading this never gives up when it doesn't happen for you right away. I hope you feel as pretty in your gown as I did! It's an unforgettable day and in an Annie & Isabel gown you will definitely not be forgotten."

The Gift Of An Annie & Isabel Designer Hospital Gown

We received this very nice testimonial from Breigh. She loves Annie & Isabel hospital gowns so much that she bought two for herself and purchased them for several of her pregnant friends.....and they are always a big hit! Thanks for keeping all your friends stylish, comfortable and dignified Breigh!!

"My name is Breigh. I have 4 children ages 5 months, 2 years, 3 1/2 years, and 6 years; 2 girls and 2 boys. During my hospital stay with my first three children, I felt so utterly exposed and self-conscious every time I would have to go to the restroom or get something from a bag, etc etc. I would drape another gown backwards in hopes of covering myself. It was only a matter of weeks before delivering my third child that I found Annie and Isabel designer gowns, and I knew I had to have one. Unfortunately I was unable to attain one before delivering.  

When I conceived my fourth child, I told my husband I was definitely getting a gown for the birth. In March I ordered 4 gowns; 2 for a friend and 2 for me. 

Breigh in her "Annie" gown

In June I gave birth to my second son and as soon as I was over the worst of the "messiness" I put on my first gown. Immediately the compliments started!!! I always feel as though I look horrible, what with the weight gain, water retention, fatigue etc, but wearing my gown, and being told how beautiful I looked in my wonderful gown....my self esteem soared! I had nurses come in and upon seeing my gown would flag down more nurses just to show them.

Breigh with her husband in her "Isabel" gown

I raved about the amazing ladies at Annie and Isabel and gave out the web address more than a dozen times because many of the older nurses had daughters about to have babies and wanted to look into the gowns once seeing them. 

I had many visitors and did not have to worry about my body showing or revealing any parts. I also nurse, therefore having the snaps on the shoulders gave such easy access, and allowed for easy 'skin-to-skin' time. My gowns were so much more comfortable than the stiff, scratchy, hospital issued gowns and really added to my entire experience. 

Baby brother meets his siblings

I also continued to wear my gowns once home. It was nice having a gown that made certain feminine routines so much easier as well as easy nursing in the middle of the night. 

      
I have ordered a total of 6 gowns since March; the most recent being in November 2012. I gave another expectant mother a beautiful gown to make her look as beautiful as ever on her exciting, life-changing, and most important day she will have to experience. The look on her face at receiving the gown was priceless, and every woman at the shower oohed and awed over such a great gift. I will continue buying, supporting, and recommending these gowns from now on! Thank you ladies for boosting new mothers confidence and making us look beautiful during an exhausting, overwhelming, and magical moment." 

Men…We've Got You Covered….Soon!

We are excited to finally announce that our "Man Gown" is close to becoming a reality!! We have been working hard on our design and are currently in the process of working with our manufacturer to make, what we hope to be, our final samples. We, as nurses, know that men need to be covered just as much as women so we just can't wait to make that happen.

We were recently able to share one of our samples with a friend whose fiance recently had to undergo a heart procedure so we thought we would tease you all with some pics of one of two designs we will be making for the man gown.

So….our first testimonial for our man gown from my good friend and co-worker, Robin:

"My love, my warrior, Scott Hyatt, is our area bomb squad commander. As soon as we learned that he needed a heart procedure, I thought of Annie & Isabel, a designer hospital gown company owned by my friend and coworker, Anna Ryan and her sister. I called to inquire about the new men's gowns they were designing, and she was able to produce this amazing camouflage gown. How perfect for my man who goes to work in his ACU fatigues, right?!  

At first, Scott was a skeptic, but the gown fit like a dream, the fabric was quality, the construction sturdy, it wraps around so that his goods aren't flashed, and there was a pocket - which he loved!!

The hospital gown they put him in post procedure didn't have a telemetry pocket, and his wires and cords kept pulling it down and over. As you can see, the Annie and Isabel men's gown has the telemetry pocket with a slit under....so he's all tucked in!! Sometimes I think men can be more prone to a sense of vulnerability in the hospital setting, especially when they are the ones that are used to saving the world. I really felt his demeanor change when I slipped this gown on him. 

We love you Anna, and are so grateful for Annie and Isabel for making my EOD Commander's hospital stay so much more comfortable."

Men.....We've Got You Covered!!

A Year Ago I Was Diagnosed With Cancer And Today....I'm A Survivor!!

Today I am a one year cancer survivor! One year ago, to the day, I received some pretty bad news from my doctor. I was told I had thyroid cancer. It is a day I remember quite vividly....kind of like how those of us that have had children can so vividly remember the birth of each of our children...only this memory is not a happy one. I remember the exact time my surgeon called me to deliver the news.....6:30 pm. I remember the shock I felt inside as he delivered the news over the phone and hearing those words "You have cancer." I remember hearing my surgeon tell me that I would need a second surgery and then treatment to rid my body of this cancer and the helpless feeling of not knowing what that would feel like.

I remember not being able to control my emotions and completely losing it in front of my sweet boys and husband the second I hung up the phone. Lastly, I remember the calls I made to  my parents, sister and brother, who were all out of town, and listening to the shock in their voices as they discovered their daughter and sister would have to fight cancer.  I cried a lot that day...more than I had ever cried in my adult life! It's a day I would love to forget, but, I can't, because it changed my life forever. It also changed the lives of those in my family forever. Some of these changes have been hard to accept but many of the changes have been gifts, and that is what I hold onto and celebrate.

While I was crying one year ago, I am jumping up for joy and celebrating today!! I am FINALLY feeling pretty good and, so far, all tests I've had show no evidence of cancer. My biggest tests are coming up in March but I'm optimistic!! Cancer has taught me many things and the aftermath of cancer and the treatment to keep it away continues to challenge me. I will never let it get the best of me, though, because I am a fighter. I AM A SURVIVOR!

My talented friend, Lara Kiniris, who has an amazing company called The Calligraphy Girl, made the cancer ribbon at the top of this post in honor of my one year survivor anniversary. The ribbon contains words that describe my journey with thyroid cancer over this past year. Some of these words include: Faith, Hope, Love, Fight, Live, Breathe, Kick Cancer's Butt, Support, Livestrong, Overcome, Stand Up 2 Cancer, Struggle, Radioactive, Isolation, Family, I Am Blessed, and Survivor, among many other words. I feel so lucky to have this beautiful ribbon because it will remind me of the journey I've had with cancer and how blessed I am to live each day of my life....a true gift!

Some people might think it is strange to celebrate the anniversary of being diagnosed with cancer. For me, however, it is not a celebration of a diagnosis but rather a celebration of life. I am celebrating making it through a tough journey. I am celebrating feeling good. I am celebrating a new appreciation for my family, friends and my health. I am celebrating being a SURVIVOR!!

"The Free Dictionary" defines "survivor" as follows: "to carry on despite hardships or trauma; persevere. To live, persist." I prefer my personal definition of "survivor" which is: "A person who has looked cancer in the eye, has kicked it's butt with the love and support of family and friends, and has learned to enjoy every second, minute, and day of her life to the fullest!!" You are looking at one happy woman who is ready to celebrate many more years of being a survivor! Happy One Year Cancer Survivor Anniversary to Me:-)

~Anna