Turning The Page For Tierney
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What is the definition of selfless devotion? According to the Oxford Dictionary, this English adjective means to be “Concerned more with the needs and wishes of others than with one's own; unselfish.” Following the definition of the words “selfless devotion” the text provides a number of examples of how the word phrase is and can be utilized. The first example listed should state “Tierney Giannotti” as she is the truest form of this word phrase. She undeniably lives, breathes, thrives on her pure selfless devotion to her family, friends, community, society in general.
Tierney is 28 years young, living her fairytale dream of spending a lifetime with her forever Prince Charming Josh, being mom to two beautiful sweet n spicy Princesses Grey and Nora, the of course having an emotional genuine loving family pooch Remi. The world outside her body would never ever know the challenges she faces on a daily basis, as she always puts everyone else first and never herself. Like most women and moms- she thrives on the joy of her loved ones happiness and the magical moments that are created. and very rarely reminds herself the importance of self-love, self-care and it’s okay to not have it all together and figured out.
Being the perfectionist she is, she will stay up to 3am cleaning the house and preparing for the next day. She dedicates every ounce of energy to her daughters Grey and Nora (5 and 4 years old) and her husband Josh (30 years young). Tierney has managed to balance Grey’s First year of school as a new Kindergartener Fall of 2018 at Wilder Elementary School in Littleton, CO; keeping a very busy and very inquisitive 4 year old Nora entertained at all times with trips to movies, museums, parks the zoo and more, committing all “spare” time to PTO duties for Wilder Elementary that include writing the Wilder Weekly Newsletter every Wednesday, PTO meetings, and of course Weekly Classroom Mom Help. All of which is volunteer work! And let’s not forget about Remi, who is still a puppy by both nature and personality. He’s amazing support for the Giannotti girls when Dad is away working and a great friend for when human ears aren’t what is needed at the time. But while providing loving support to the family- Remi has severe separation anxiety from the family which leads to Tierney bringing him almost everywhere with them to avoid him from feeling sad. In addition to all these priceless gifts and memories she helps create- it all started with Josh. As young sweethearts they turned a love so mighty into a lifelong commitment to annoy one another. Marriage is a beautiful unification isn’t it?! They truly have drawn up the perfect bedtime story to tell over n over n over again.
They were traveling around for Josh’s Navy duties and a new job opportunity brought them to Colorado. While this new job was such a blessing, it’s also a challenge as he travels to Ireland for weeks at a time- while Tierney manages life at home and Remi becomes “Man of the House”. But Josh never ever forgets to remind Tierney how incredibly special she is and how lucky he feels to be hers forever.
In fact, he has said this about his precious gem:
“Tierney is the best mother and wife anyone could ask for. I know that our two, kind, loving, caring, little girls are the way they are, because they see that in their mommy's actions . Not only does she set an example to our children but also to me, as a father . She brings out the best in everyone, everywhere she goes. She is all that I am, and all that I hope to be.” -Josh Giannotti ****Cue the awws and tears of love****
So where is all this going?! It seems like it’s a pure Utopia sprinkled with some typical Mom Stress and Smiles.
Well, December 2018 took a very unexpected turn for Tierney. The girls had usual coughs n colds that’s kids get every winter, and she ended up catching the cold herself and Josh was working away in Ireland during this time. But she started feeling better fairly quickly And like most moms, is still managing everything while sick. She started having ear pain on the right side which we thought was a possible ear infection- but as the night progressed, so did her pain and symptoms. Pain grew to numbness in the neck and arm- then down to body, leg and foot. I know what you’re thinking, “Stroke!”, yeah we all thought that too. But nothing could get her to go to the ER.
As morning came, She took Grey to school and then drove herself to Urgent Care with Nora but Remi did stay home this time. Per her symptoms- they said they would be having an ambulance take her to Swedish Emergency Room. Well, Tierney being Tierney respectfully declined the ambulance ride and drove herself and Nora to the ER. Knowing her symptoms and how things had progressed- I rushed over to Swedish ER. Memories of my own stroke flooded my head and immediately a to-do list already lined up.
As I arrived at ER, I found Nora and her patiently waiting her turn. She smiled and waved but I could see right threw it. Trying not to shake from anxiety, she smiled while saying “I’m ok... “ and then she was called up for vitals which was followed by being assigned to a room. Holding Nora’s hand we walked back together and I reassured Nora “Mommy will be ok.”
As doctors and nurses filled the room- worry filled Tierney’s eyes. And with every new doctor that entered the room, a “cha-Ching cha-Ching” alarmed in our heads. And again, Tierney being Tierney, smiled and gave them her laundry list of health and medical history that still to do day challenges her daily lifestyle and routine- which she powers through like a champ. No one would ever ever know she faces these conditions on a daily basis.
Now here we are a week before Christmas and scared it might be a stroke or MS or something of serious nature. While on the phone with her Mom Susan who lives in Chicago, IL- she says she jumping on a plane that afternoon. “Once a mom always a mom” she tells me. And communicating with Josh in Ireland, he luckily was able to fly home the next night. As Tierney settled in for what was lining up to be a long day- I took Nora home with me and grabbed Grey from school along with my daughter who is ironically best friends with Grey. So here we are... waiting for CTs, MRIs, bloodwork, and more testing to get answers. The afternoon passed and still no answers.
After hours of sitting alone, she was discharged and instead of calling to have me or anyone pick her up- yup, she drove herself home. With a knock on my door she showed up with a very tired smile on her face. All we knew at this point was the ER has ruled out any serious conditions, prescribed zero medications to help, and said to follow up with a neurologist and primary care doctor.
Stuck, stuck, stuck we felt and well Tierney being Tierney- got the girls and went home. Her mom Susan arrived later that night and provided the additional support needed and the ‘“mom-hug” that sends relief to the heart.
Now 2019- one month later- Tierney is still searching for answers. A recent trip to the ENT has confirmed 100% loss of hearing in her right ear and an understanding that it most likely will not return. Luckily the other symptoms have not gotten worse, but they also haven’t gotten any better. The ENT has began her on a high dosage of Prednisone, a steroid that they stated should have been started at the ER with a chance to have saved her hearing, but it wasn’t so with hopes that maybe it will come back- they jump started her on that.
And now- cue the horns- here come the medical bills! Yay! As if life in general wasn’t exciting enough- let’s top the beginning of 2019 off with some glorious medical bills that provided zero answers!
The Giannotti family and especially Tierney, would never in a million years ever ask for help under any circumstances, so as her best friend- I’m doing it for her!
Let’s give her as much love, prayers and support as we can. Every little bit helps!
It takes a village to raise tiny humans and it takes a village to be a family. Thank you for being apart of ours!
Tierney- you are every bit of kind, loving, selfless, funny and total badass mom bestie I could ever know. Thank you for sharing your free spirit with my family and reminding me of the countless beautiful moments in all the chaos. You’re an incredible human and I’m thrilled to be apart of this life’s journey together.
To everyone who took the time to read this- thank you from the bottom of my heart. It truly means the world and I know it will to Tierney as well.
With much Love and Respect.
Kelly Hardison
Tierney is 28 years young, living her fairytale dream of spending a lifetime with her forever Prince Charming Josh, being mom to two beautiful sweet n spicy Princesses Grey and Nora, the of course having an emotional genuine loving family pooch Remi. The world outside her body would never ever know the challenges she faces on a daily basis, as she always puts everyone else first and never herself. Like most women and moms- she thrives on the joy of her loved ones happiness and the magical moments that are created. and very rarely reminds herself the importance of self-love, self-care and it’s okay to not have it all together and figured out.
Being the perfectionist she is, she will stay up to 3am cleaning the house and preparing for the next day. She dedicates every ounce of energy to her daughters Grey and Nora (5 and 4 years old) and her husband Josh (30 years young). Tierney has managed to balance Grey’s First year of school as a new Kindergartener Fall of 2018 at Wilder Elementary School in Littleton, CO; keeping a very busy and very inquisitive 4 year old Nora entertained at all times with trips to movies, museums, parks the zoo and more, committing all “spare” time to PTO duties for Wilder Elementary that include writing the Wilder Weekly Newsletter every Wednesday, PTO meetings, and of course Weekly Classroom Mom Help. All of which is volunteer work! And let’s not forget about Remi, who is still a puppy by both nature and personality. He’s amazing support for the Giannotti girls when Dad is away working and a great friend for when human ears aren’t what is needed at the time. But while providing loving support to the family- Remi has severe separation anxiety from the family which leads to Tierney bringing him almost everywhere with them to avoid him from feeling sad. In addition to all these priceless gifts and memories she helps create- it all started with Josh. As young sweethearts they turned a love so mighty into a lifelong commitment to annoy one another. Marriage is a beautiful unification isn’t it?! They truly have drawn up the perfect bedtime story to tell over n over n over again.
They were traveling around for Josh’s Navy duties and a new job opportunity brought them to Colorado. While this new job was such a blessing, it’s also a challenge as he travels to Ireland for weeks at a time- while Tierney manages life at home and Remi becomes “Man of the House”. But Josh never ever forgets to remind Tierney how incredibly special she is and how lucky he feels to be hers forever.
In fact, he has said this about his precious gem:
“Tierney is the best mother and wife anyone could ask for. I know that our two, kind, loving, caring, little girls are the way they are, because they see that in their mommy's actions . Not only does she set an example to our children but also to me, as a father . She brings out the best in everyone, everywhere she goes. She is all that I am, and all that I hope to be.” -Josh Giannotti ****Cue the awws and tears of love****
So where is all this going?! It seems like it’s a pure Utopia sprinkled with some typical Mom Stress and Smiles.
Well, December 2018 took a very unexpected turn for Tierney. The girls had usual coughs n colds that’s kids get every winter, and she ended up catching the cold herself and Josh was working away in Ireland during this time. But she started feeling better fairly quickly And like most moms, is still managing everything while sick. She started having ear pain on the right side which we thought was a possible ear infection- but as the night progressed, so did her pain and symptoms. Pain grew to numbness in the neck and arm- then down to body, leg and foot. I know what you’re thinking, “Stroke!”, yeah we all thought that too. But nothing could get her to go to the ER.
As morning came, She took Grey to school and then drove herself to Urgent Care with Nora but Remi did stay home this time. Per her symptoms- they said they would be having an ambulance take her to Swedish Emergency Room. Well, Tierney being Tierney respectfully declined the ambulance ride and drove herself and Nora to the ER. Knowing her symptoms and how things had progressed- I rushed over to Swedish ER. Memories of my own stroke flooded my head and immediately a to-do list already lined up.
As I arrived at ER, I found Nora and her patiently waiting her turn. She smiled and waved but I could see right threw it. Trying not to shake from anxiety, she smiled while saying “I’m ok... “ and then she was called up for vitals which was followed by being assigned to a room. Holding Nora’s hand we walked back together and I reassured Nora “Mommy will be ok.”
As doctors and nurses filled the room- worry filled Tierney’s eyes. And with every new doctor that entered the room, a “cha-Ching cha-Ching” alarmed in our heads. And again, Tierney being Tierney, smiled and gave them her laundry list of health and medical history that still to do day challenges her daily lifestyle and routine- which she powers through like a champ. No one would ever ever know she faces these conditions on a daily basis.
Now here we are a week before Christmas and scared it might be a stroke or MS or something of serious nature. While on the phone with her Mom Susan who lives in Chicago, IL- she says she jumping on a plane that afternoon. “Once a mom always a mom” she tells me. And communicating with Josh in Ireland, he luckily was able to fly home the next night. As Tierney settled in for what was lining up to be a long day- I took Nora home with me and grabbed Grey from school along with my daughter who is ironically best friends with Grey. So here we are... waiting for CTs, MRIs, bloodwork, and more testing to get answers. The afternoon passed and still no answers.
After hours of sitting alone, she was discharged and instead of calling to have me or anyone pick her up- yup, she drove herself home. With a knock on my door she showed up with a very tired smile on her face. All we knew at this point was the ER has ruled out any serious conditions, prescribed zero medications to help, and said to follow up with a neurologist and primary care doctor.
Stuck, stuck, stuck we felt and well Tierney being Tierney- got the girls and went home. Her mom Susan arrived later that night and provided the additional support needed and the ‘“mom-hug” that sends relief to the heart.
Now 2019- one month later- Tierney is still searching for answers. A recent trip to the ENT has confirmed 100% loss of hearing in her right ear and an understanding that it most likely will not return. Luckily the other symptoms have not gotten worse, but they also haven’t gotten any better. The ENT has began her on a high dosage of Prednisone, a steroid that they stated should have been started at the ER with a chance to have saved her hearing, but it wasn’t so with hopes that maybe it will come back- they jump started her on that.
And now- cue the horns- here come the medical bills! Yay! As if life in general wasn’t exciting enough- let’s top the beginning of 2019 off with some glorious medical bills that provided zero answers!
The Giannotti family and especially Tierney, would never in a million years ever ask for help under any circumstances, so as her best friend- I’m doing it for her!
Let’s give her as much love, prayers and support as we can. Every little bit helps!
It takes a village to raise tiny humans and it takes a village to be a family. Thank you for being apart of ours!
Tierney- you are every bit of kind, loving, selfless, funny and total badass mom bestie I could ever know. Thank you for sharing your free spirit with my family and reminding me of the countless beautiful moments in all the chaos. You’re an incredible human and I’m thrilled to be apart of this life’s journey together.
To everyone who took the time to read this- thank you from the bottom of my heart. It truly means the world and I know it will to Tierney as well.
With much Love and Respect.
Kelly Hardison
Organizer and beneficiary
Kelly Hardison
Organizer
Littleton, CO
Tierney Giannotti
Beneficiary