Gregor & Tara’s Story . . .

Meet Gregor Leithead and Tara MacIntosh – a husband and wife team who tackle everything
together with vigor.

When the Covid-19 restrictions came into effect in March 2020, they
thought that temporary job loss and isolation would be the biggest challenges they would have to overcome this year. It turned out that was far from the truth.

On June 26, 2020, the day started with incredible promise. They had just confirmed the news that they would become parents for the first time. And, parents to twins! It was news far beyond their expectations and so welcome in a year full of challenges and disappointments.

Later that afternoon, Gregor went to the hospital for some testing. He had been experiencing difficulty eating through the Covid-19 lockdown and, as a result, lost 40 lbs in 3 months. As soon as the Emergency Rooms opened, he requested various tests to discover the problem.

Tara waited for him to return from the ER, anticipating an evening of celebration. He walked in the house stone-faced and simply said, “It’s cancer” Time stood still, and life would never be the same. As they sat on the couch with tears streaming, they thought, “Where do we go from here?”

The next few months went by simultaneously with lightning speed and as slow as molasses.

The appointments to pinpoint Gregor’s specific type of esophageal cancer and the tumor’s size began. The cancerous tumor sat at the base of his esophagus and had spread to two lymph nodes of concern. To prepare for radiation and chemotherapy, Gregor underwent surgery to have a jejunal feeding tube inserted into his intestine to help give his strength for treatment.

Subsequently, chemotherapy and daily radiation treatments began and lasted for five weeks.

The challenge of Covid-19 was a constant as the hospital visits happened solo for both Tara and the growing twins and Gregor. They would support each other by driving together and sitting in a parked car,
waiting for the other to emerge. It was little comfort, but it was the best they could through the pandemic restrictions.

Family and friends were a huge part of this journey for the couple. The sweetest porch drop-offs frequently arrived along with messages and calls to both entertain and support. It was a reminder that there are angels on earth that didn’t hesitate for a minute to come to their side when their world stopped.

Gregor is now waiting for the results of the treatments and the surgery date to remove his tumor. With the twins due to arrive in February 2021, the family is hopeful to have surgery complete by the end of this year, and Gregor to be in recovery ready to welcome their new babies.

Thank you to both of you for sharing your story and for being this year’s Three Little Wishes family.  The glamjulz community is here to support you in any way that we can.

Monica XO

With your help, we are able to make a huge difference in the lives of families suffering from the financial burdens of cancer.  Please consider our Swarovski Crystal Three Little Wishes Necklace as part of your gift giving this holiday season.