Hi everyone.....
I went to moms tonight and Tim and Tami were there. Tami looked really good I thought and she said she went to one meeting today....that was a first......at least for a long time. She wanted to stay longer and visit with friends but all the excitement upset her stomach and she had to leave sooner than later. Her trying to heal is all unpredictable and making plans is a little stressful for her. That should all change given some time. Our cousin Lynn Kirkman came to visit and check on mom. When he came into the living room, Tami immediately remembered a time 24 years ago last month that he came and gave our Dad a special blessing. He was so sick and Lynn's blessing helped Dad along his way. Lynn stayed and gave Tami a blessing and we enjoyed our visit and then Marsha set to making homemade french fries from our brother's own spuds from Corrinne. When I left she was enjoying her share and looked great to me. Her stomach was a little up and down, but by this evening it had calmed down. We look forward to better days ahead.
Judy
This blog was set up for our dear Tami who is fighting the life threatening disease - Cancer. Hopefully the blog will help you come along the journey with us and provide a way to encourage others to join us for her AFAF community fundraiser. For details, click on the marathon photo.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
More good days than bad....and Detroit won!
Hi Everyone.....
It's late, I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would write a couple of things about Tami. The past couple of weeks seem better to me than the 2 before that. She has more good days than bad and she got on the scale today with all her clothes on of course and the scale read 100 lbs........We were excited although I think part of that is water weight from steroids, but what the heck.....it said 100 lbs. Mom and I were at her house for the bulk of the afternoon and she looked good and was up and moving about and eating. It just seemed good to see her thinking about a few other things than being sick. Tim and Tam were watching the American League final with Detroit (Tim's home town) and New York. Tim was excited that his team won. He was waiting for phone calls concerning some work applications he had submitted and he received 2 while we were there. Tim had made clam chowder and chicken and dumplings that we all shared. He's been good to Tami and worried and taken the care that she has needed, for that I am grateful. Mom made a fresh strawberry pie (Tami's favorite) while we were there and it was half gone by the time we left. (Of course we shared:)). We also shared some homemade bread that a friend had made, along with some fresh raspberry jam made by Abby. All in all it was a good day.
She still has some trouble and pain with all her tubing and can't wait for the time that she can have those removed and press forward to heal better. She hopes that can be done sometime in November, but that will be up to Dr. Lambert. She wanted Tami to weigh at least 105 before she thought of going in to fix her colon and bladder more completely. She said the weight will actually aid in the healing process.
Well, it's been a year and 2 months since we were told she would only make it six, so for me, mom, family, friends and Tim & girls......what a blessing. None of us know from day to day when our number is up, but it seems we have all had enough of a blessing in Tami to appreciate, love and relish the time we have. Each minute is a precious gift that we might lift each other along this road of life. I have been lifted just by having the opportunity to share in her recovery, if only just a little bit. I hope many of you feel the same way.
We realize that many of you have paved your own road with struggles and tears....I guess it's just universal that we become lifted by the struggles of others. We hope that all is going well for you and I'll try to post when Tami may be going back to Boston to have that other surgery. We'd sure like to get her better for the holidays.
Love,
Judy
It's late, I couldn't sleep, so I thought I would write a couple of things about Tami. The past couple of weeks seem better to me than the 2 before that. She has more good days than bad and she got on the scale today with all her clothes on of course and the scale read 100 lbs........We were excited although I think part of that is water weight from steroids, but what the heck.....it said 100 lbs. Mom and I were at her house for the bulk of the afternoon and she looked good and was up and moving about and eating. It just seemed good to see her thinking about a few other things than being sick. Tim and Tam were watching the American League final with Detroit (Tim's home town) and New York. Tim was excited that his team won. He was waiting for phone calls concerning some work applications he had submitted and he received 2 while we were there. Tim had made clam chowder and chicken and dumplings that we all shared. He's been good to Tami and worried and taken the care that she has needed, for that I am grateful. Mom made a fresh strawberry pie (Tami's favorite) while we were there and it was half gone by the time we left. (Of course we shared:)). We also shared some homemade bread that a friend had made, along with some fresh raspberry jam made by Abby. All in all it was a good day.
She still has some trouble and pain with all her tubing and can't wait for the time that she can have those removed and press forward to heal better. She hopes that can be done sometime in November, but that will be up to Dr. Lambert. She wanted Tami to weigh at least 105 before she thought of going in to fix her colon and bladder more completely. She said the weight will actually aid in the healing process.
Well, it's been a year and 2 months since we were told she would only make it six, so for me, mom, family, friends and Tim & girls......what a blessing. None of us know from day to day when our number is up, but it seems we have all had enough of a blessing in Tami to appreciate, love and relish the time we have. Each minute is a precious gift that we might lift each other along this road of life. I have been lifted just by having the opportunity to share in her recovery, if only just a little bit. I hope many of you feel the same way.
We realize that many of you have paved your own road with struggles and tears....I guess it's just universal that we become lifted by the struggles of others. We hope that all is going well for you and I'll try to post when Tami may be going back to Boston to have that other surgery. We'd sure like to get her better for the holidays.
Love,
Judy
Monday, October 8, 2012
Enjoying the Temple
Hi Everyone....
We got up at 5:00 this morning to make it to the temple. I kept praying in my heart that Tami would have the strength and stamina to do this. I was amazed as we all loaded in the car that she really was going. When we walked into the 1st room with Tami, Dr. Lambert had tears streaming down her eyes.....She said she was doing OK until Tami came in the room. Dr. Lambert had probably 20 people there to support her. John, the resident who impressed her and gave her a Book of Mormon while he served with her on a humanitarian mission to Haiti.....His wife and mom were also there. The two missionaries who baptized her, Nate and Natalie and his mom, Tami and Tim and Randy and I, a fellow she operated on 3 years ago with his family and some others I didn't know. It was really amazing to be there with her. Tami is still having some trouble with tubes.....If she can but endure until those can come out. What a day that will be. We hope all is well with everyone and Tim and Tami are continually being blessed by those who have helped them out during this difficult time. They know they are not alone and that so many others also need help, but they are thankful, none the less. Enoy this Autumn time and hug all those around you.
Love,
Judy
We got up at 5:00 this morning to make it to the temple. I kept praying in my heart that Tami would have the strength and stamina to do this. I was amazed as we all loaded in the car that she really was going. When we walked into the 1st room with Tami, Dr. Lambert had tears streaming down her eyes.....She said she was doing OK until Tami came in the room. Dr. Lambert had probably 20 people there to support her. John, the resident who impressed her and gave her a Book of Mormon while he served with her on a humanitarian mission to Haiti.....His wife and mom were also there. The two missionaries who baptized her, Nate and Natalie and his mom, Tami and Tim and Randy and I, a fellow she operated on 3 years ago with his family and some others I didn't know. It was really amazing to be there with her. Tami is still having some trouble with tubes.....If she can but endure until those can come out. What a day that will be. We hope all is well with everyone and Tim and Tami are continually being blessed by those who have helped them out during this difficult time. They know they are not alone and that so many others also need help, but they are thankful, none the less. Enoy this Autumn time and hug all those around you.
Love,
Judy
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Marathon Milestone
Just a short update about our Tami......The past month has been up and down.....it seems mostly down for her but she has been planning to go to St. George to somehow get across the finish line at the marathon. We wrote letters and got special permission to use a wheelchair at the finish line and those who ran the race would help push her through.....Well.....She had two daughters run the race, also nephews, friends and supporters. They walked back to the aid station to pick up Tami and help her across. They just had to wait for out dear Madison and then I went back to find them and to get a couple of pictures.....Well, to my surprise, I couldn't find the wheelchair, but there was Tami.....jogging along slowly with a group of those who loved her. You have to understand that she has had very few days where she wasn't nauseated and to have 3 in a row as of today is just short of a miracle. Tomorrow Dr. Lambert goes throught the temple and as of tonight she is planning to go. Tami wanted to get the medal at the marathon that said "finisher". Because she had qualified for the marathon by finishing her other races and simply to have the realization that she could be there after all the problems she's had since last April. This is a real milestone for our Tami.....She wondered last year if the Lord would allow her to stay and live and run the race of life.....She ran over the finish line supported by many family and friends who love her and I think that is symbolic of the future for her.....Live and Love and Run!!!!
There are several small stories we'll try to include in the future.....
Love
Judy
Sunday, September 23, 2012
I wish I could speed things up!!!
Hi Everyone......
There are a few who are out of state that would like to hear a bit more about Tami. Well, we wish things were better, but her tubes are still giving her trouble. The two kidney tubes have been blocked the past couple of days and so needless to say, she doesn't feel well. It's Sunday night and Tim is planning to take Tami to the hospital in the morning to see if they can unplug the tubes or if they need to be reinserted. She had a couple of good days last week but we're still not satisfied that she is healing well and gaining weight. Tami's hopes are still up, she's still fighting, we put her story into the marathon committee in St. George to see if she can be pushed during the marathon if she feels up to it, and all in all, we're all hoping and praying she'll recover.....In the meantime.....we just Fight to the Finish and smile all we can.
Love,
Judy
There are a few who are out of state that would like to hear a bit more about Tami. Well, we wish things were better, but her tubes are still giving her trouble. The two kidney tubes have been blocked the past couple of days and so needless to say, she doesn't feel well. It's Sunday night and Tim is planning to take Tami to the hospital in the morning to see if they can unplug the tubes or if they need to be reinserted. She had a couple of good days last week but we're still not satisfied that she is healing well and gaining weight. Tami's hopes are still up, she's still fighting, we put her story into the marathon committee in St. George to see if she can be pushed during the marathon if she feels up to it, and all in all, we're all hoping and praying she'll recover.....In the meantime.....we just Fight to the Finish and smile all we can.
Love,
Judy
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Mind over Body??????
(You must realize that Tami's slooowww jog is not much more than a slow walk....and Dr. Lambert said Absloutely no running!!!!!!!)
Happy Sabath, Team,
It's coming up on one year since our sweet stage-4-fighter ran The St. George Marathon filled with little pacmen all in her abdomen. As October approaches (too quickly for those of us running...) Mom starts digging around in her closet for those good ol' running shoes.
By the time I woke up this morning, Mom had pulled Dad out of bed and they had been walking (Momma was running, that stinker!) the loop at the park. They made it a mile when Mom called it quits. Dad and Mom got home, Dad made us breakfast, and Momma slept. Later as Mom was getting ready, tears streamed down her little cheeks as she realized she wasn't going to be able to run this marathon. She explained how she feels like she was walking in somebody else's shoes today, and was sad to admit that they're her own. "I'm not as sad as I am humbled. You realize that your mind can go so much further than your body, but your body brings you back to reality."
On a happier note, Momma seems to be doing so much better! That "little flu bug" was no little bug at all, but a great big monster! Finally, however, it's passed. This weekend she's been up and running (literally, like I said,) helping Tiana with registration, and she not only watched the BYU-Utah game yesterday, she cheered...and later yelled and holled at the TV as Utah just barely won the game.
Mom, of course, doesn't feel "normal." She's struggling everyday with her Tami-attachments that she just isn't quite on board with yet, and she's frustrated that a year ago she ran 26.2 miles, and now she can hardly jog 1. We try telling her everyday how proud we are of her, but she struggles, as we all would. So please, Team, keep her in your prayers. We're not to the finish line yet, and we all need to keep fighting.
Always remember to F2TF. We love you Tyler, and we love you Momma. Keep up the good fight!
Love,
Maddie
Saturday, September 15, 2012
A hard-fought week.....
Hi everyone......
A hard fought week for Tam......After her Anything For a Friend Outing Last Week, Tami had a set back and lost energy, had a fever, and was within hours of heading to the hospital on the advice of her surgeon when she started to rally just a bit. She's doing a bit better but still has a long way to go. For now she dodged the hospital but has a lot to deal with. She's just trying to get some energy to walk and feel like she's moving forward. Tami's fighting hard..........YES I CANNNNNNNN!!!
Judy
A hard fought week for Tam......After her Anything For a Friend Outing Last Week, Tami had a set back and lost energy, had a fever, and was within hours of heading to the hospital on the advice of her surgeon when she started to rally just a bit. She's doing a bit better but still has a long way to go. For now she dodged the hospital but has a lot to deal with. She's just trying to get some energy to walk and feel like she's moving forward. Tami's fighting hard..........YES I CANNNNNNNN!!!
Judy
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