Welcome to Tamika's CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Please respect her privacy by not posting anything on social media.
In October Tamika went to her doctor after feeling some strange lumps in her left breast. After a check-up, her doctor recommended she have a mammogram. After that initial mammogram showed some suspicious lumps, they scheduled a more invasive Mammogram and ultrasound.
On the day of the Contrast Enhanced Digital Mammogram, Tamika's anxiety was through the roof. She made it through, but before her ultrasound could begin, she ran out of the room wearing only her hospital gown. An amazing nurse found her and calmly brought her back to the room, along with our mom who was waiting for Tamika on the other side of the clinic. The ultrasound reaffirmed the doctors suspicions and a biopsy was scheduled. Tamika braved her biopsy and we anxiously waited for the results. Days later came her diagnosis of Stage-2 Breast Cancer. With this terrifying news also came good news. She was negative for HER-2 which means the cancer may be isolated and not aggressively spread. In planning for her care, Tamika met with her surgeon and oncologist who have made a fast plan of action. Quickly Tamika underwent procedures and tests that included a pet-scan, EKG, ECHOcardiogram, along with surgery to place her Port-A-Cath.
Tamika's care plan will start in December, shortly before Christmas. She will undergo 4 rounds of invasive chemotherapy every 2 weeks, followed by 8 rounds of less invasive chemo every week ending with potential radiation and surgery.
It is by the grace of God she is standing strong, attending her appointments and will be healed! Please follow her journey here. Keep her, Jimmy, JJ and our family in your prayers.
Please know that giving a 'Tribute' through CaringBridge goes directly to CaringBridge, not Tamika. If you have made a tribute to CaringBridge, but meant to donate to Tamika, please call CaringBridge at 651-452-7940 and they will refund your donation.
For those who have asked or will ask how to support Tamika and the boys during this time, we have the following things in place:
Meal train- to provide meals for Tamika on her Chemo days, and the 5 days after Chemo when she is expected to feel unwell. Through this site you can sign-up to either make or purchase a meal to be delivered, or purchase a Grubhub gift card. Feel free to sign up using this link
https://mealtrain.com/1de80qGoFundMe- to help with the costs of out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance, her Cooling cap and homeopathic remedies for easing pain and discomfort
https://gofund.me/c0d6f75dShipt- where you can have groceries and supplies delivered to her home. For this link, please see the 'Ways to Help" tab.
Prayers- Free, powerful and no link needed ❤️
