May 25, 2012

Hi everyone,

Just a few updates...Tami went to Tyler Smith's funeral today and said it was just wonderful and Becky did a great and touching job speaking...(To those who don't know, Tyler was an earlier recipient for AFAF and Becky was close to that family)
His mom wrote a message about Tender Mercies on Tyler's blog.

Anyway, Tami went to Dr. Wisenot (Spelling?) her cancer Dr. today and he said she has caused quite an undercurrent in the insurance and hipec surgery industry here in Utah.  Dr. Lambert has spoken with him several times and they are working together to get Utah to see the importance of this surgery.  He told Tami today to wait one more week because Utah is still working all this out.  He told her that Utah is one of the lowest cost medical expense states because they make sure that new surgeries are not done merely so the Dr. can make money and they check closely for fraud.....for that reason,....he told her to wait one more week.  He told her that he had been asked to write another letter to the state.  So Tami may not get her surgery until June but we hope all is for good reason.

We hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day and spend time with those you love.

Judy

May 23rd

We hope all is well with everyone.....Tami is still waiting.....She has felt pretty good the last few days and trying to be there for Tiana for graduation festivities and Seminary Graduation...that really has been good for Tami to be here for that....The insurance company still is meeting yesterday and again tomorrow so we hope to have some news by Friday.....It's just been a waiting game.....Sheila in Massachusetts is still working with Utah for a good outcome.....keep your fingers crossed and we'll keep Tami in our prayers.

Judy

Hey everyone....I thought it might help if you had some insight into our experience in boston as we went to her consultation at UMass in Worcester.  you'll start seeing the posts from the letters I sent to my family and friends.  Thanks for travelling on this journey with us.

Judy

Team Tami:  This is the initial reference letter that was submitted to the "Anything for a Friend" board of directors.  This is where we begin the AFAF journey!  More posts to come...

Reference Letter

April 12, 2012

Anything for a Friend

2573 North 2450 East

Layton, Utah  84040

RE:  Tami Flanery

Dear Board of Directors,

We are grateful to be asked to write a letter of Reference for our wonderful sister, Tami.

Tami is from a family of 7, 4 sisters and 2 brothers.  Her mother is 85 and lives with our handicapped sister.  Tami spends countless hours helping with our  mom and her books and helping with medical needs for our sister.  She is without question the brightest ray of sunshine in the family.  She lights up any room she walks into because of her bubbly, happy, over-the-top personality.  She wants no attention drawn to herself or to the troubles she’s had, but seeks out everyone else and wants to know what’s happening in their lives.

She stops to cheer a child who is sad, teaches a child how to fish, and puts her arms around perfect strangers in need.  She has a very contagious laugh and is never without a smile for anyone she meets.  Even in the midst of financial struggles for her and her family, everyone else comes first.

Not much can stop Tami from doing something she is determined to do.  She loves running and has run in several marathons.  Last year after being diagnosed with stage-four cancer and undergoing major surgery, her doctor said she would not be running any marathons that year.  But Tami was determined to push forward and two months later, with the blessing of one of her doctors, she ran the St. George marathon.  And even though she was one of the last runners to come in, she stopped to cheer others along and thanked others before the finish line for still cheering her on till the bitter end.

She’s everyone’s favorite aunt.  She has a gift of genuine love and an enduring faith and trust in her Savior.  She makes everyone feel as if they are her best friend.  Her animation expresses her enthusiasm for life.  She has been a devoted friend to a group of girls she worked with 30 years ago, and they are equally devoted to her.

She served a 2-year mission for her church and met a man there who followed her home and waited 5 years to marry her.  They’ve raised three beautiful daughters whose care and concern has lifted her as she has faced the challenges of this dreaded disease.  Her husband has worked around the clock in his business for many years to support his family; however, the economy has taken its toll forcing him to close the doors.  He is still working long hours to try to meet the family’s needs but has definitely run into hard times.

Tami’s cancer, appendiceal cancer, is very rare and not treated here in Utah.  Chemotherapy is not effective and common treatments are not helpful.  Tami is flying to Boston with the help of friend’s sky miles and money raised from her extended family to consult with a surgeon about her specific care.  WE can only hope and pray for the best outcome.

There are many people who know and love this family.  We are glad to be a part of their lives and look forward to helping in Tami’s care.  We pray that they will receive the help that is needed that we all may look forward to better times.

Respectfully yours,

Judy Porter

Marsha Weller

Lana Olsen

(sisters)

May 12th

Hi Everyone.....

I thought I might give every one a heads up about what's going on with Tami....We've been over to Mom's tonight to help her clean-up and spend some time with her.  Mom has been at Tami's the last three days to spend time with her before she went for her surgery.  Tami has not felt well all day today and part of that I think is her stress about the surgery and the lack of approval for next week.  She realizes how difficult this is on every one who has plane tickets....Hopefully it will be just a week or two away.

 Today they received a call that Utah had not given consent for the surgery and so the surgery was cancelled.  Tami has known that this might happen but was also told that Massachusetts may pick up the tab.  Well, Utah is still very much in the mix.....They have approved the Doctors letters for medical necessity, now the state has to give it's permission. The fact that the surgery could possibly go into the hundreds of thousands of dollars....I think the State is being a little cautious about crossing the T's so to speak.  Utah may still give it's permission....just not for a few more days....They could decide as early as next week....In the meantime, Tim called Dr. Lambert and she says the fact that Utah has drug her feet so long, it's too late for Massachusetts approval because that will take at least two business days.....not enough time for surgery at 5:00 AM Tuesday Morning.  We still hope that Utah will come through because in the end, all her later treatment could be finished here in Utah instead of having to return to Massachusetts so much.  We hope this is just a little glitch and allo will go forward soon.

Tami just doesn't like to talk about this very much so I thought I might save her the trouble of telling all of us what is going on.

She did feel a bit better tonight and worked hard in Grandma's garage for Mother's day.   We're thankful for a good mom who loves us and cares and did so much for us growing up.

We hope you all have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Judy