Tammie’s Story

Site created on March 28, 2010

Welcome to my CaringBridge website. I have finally decided to keep everyone up to date about my progress. Feel free to read My Story.

Visit often to read the latest journal entries, visit the photo gallery, and write me a note in my guestbook.



I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in July of 1992.  I have been treated with chemotherapy several times and have been lucky to have done great with it so far!  I started another course of chemotherapy in February of 2010.  I was getting pentatstin, cytoxan and rituximab every month. Much to my surprise after two course in March I began having some pain and was bleeding into my spleen.  These infarcts can happen in CLL but mine was so large, my spleen needed to be removed. It was my own personal April Fools joke, delivering "lena spleena" on April 1st, 2010.  Glad to be rid of her! I restarted chemotherapy in January of 2011 and had an chylous effusion (lymph fluid in the lining of my lung) in Feb.  I had to spend 9 days in the hospital with a chest tube. And again in March for 7 days.  I was glad to leave the hospital! After 7 months of no therapy I am starting 2012 with a little more chemo.  Finished in June of 2013 and had to start again in December of 2013.....I started a new oral chemotherapy treatment early 2014, so no more IV chemo! In March of 2014, I was hospitalized for a fungal meningitis.  It was quite a serious infection so I will remain on a prophylaxis medicine for the rest of my life! I am also on IgG infusions every month to support my immune system which kept me out of a
having hospital admissions as often. Beginning in 2018, a new oral medicine was added as Imbruvica was not enough to keep my white count where it should be.  It worked really well for quite a while with the exception of skin issues. Unfortunately about 6 months ago the two meds couldn’t keep up so Rituximab infusions were added. We were hoping to get through the summer but though we increased infusions it barely maintained. So I had work up and was admitted for an unrelated stem cell transplant in July of 2021. Thanks for checking in and thinking about me - life is short - don't waste a single minute of it! God is so GOOD! Pray for HEALING!

ONE YEAR post transplant - bone marrow shows no sign of CLL - Thank you Jesus!


Unfortunately, in February of 2023 I had a significant sepsis event due to streptococcus pneumoniae bacteremia because of my history of splenectomy I was at risk for infection with this type of bacteria.  I spent 7 months in the hospital from February to August of 2023 and during that time had to have both of my hands amputated above the wrists and both legs amputated at the knees.  


In March of 2024, all of my counts dropped after a COVID infection and to investigate a bone marrow biopsy was done which showed an aggressive form of donor derived leukemia (AML).  This is not currative and I was given weeks to months to live - now I'm spending my days soaking up all the time I can with loved ones! 

Newest Update

April 25, 2024 - making memories

Journal entry by Jessica Cichocki —

Things have been stable since the last post.  We were able to get mom up to the cabin two weekends ago which was a big wish of hers come true!  She has not been able to get up to her favorite place in a very long time!  We enjoyed family time, s'mores by the fire, the grandkids all put on a little play on honor of their "gaga" which was adorable, and the weather was beautiful.  Thanks to those who helped us prepare by making food for us for the weekend! It was amazing!

We got our pictures back from the Easter photo shoot the weekend before, thanks to the amazing Mick Schulte for these captured moments that we will cherish forever. If you need pics done she is your gal - https://mickschultephotography.com

Mom continues to feel overall well and continues on IV antibiotics at home to treat the bone infection in the roof of her mouth (vanco and cefepime) at least through May.  Her counts are stable so she has not started any treatment for the AML.  She continues to go to the clinic twice per week for blood and platelet transfusions as needed.  We feel very blessed to continue to get to enjoy good quality time together as a family.  

As I wrote previously, we continue to hope and pray for as much good time with mom as possible and we are soaking up all the moments that we can.  We set up a google drive folder and would like people to submit a video if you can - you can just take the video on your phone and upload it to the folder.  This is a sort of living memorial if you will and the video can be whatever you want to say to her or to share a favorite memory about her.  She is absolutely loving all the videos we have received so far! 

The only hitch we have found is you need to have access and the google drive app on your phone - if you would like access, comment with your email below and we can add you - we have added all those who have requested previously.  Also, if you had trouble and sent your video in a different way please request access so that we can have them all in one place (although I'm thankful for everyone that was able to figure out a workaround as I'm not tech savvy!!).

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1se_Ercow12jaSJiXfJahq2C863WYgzwQ?usp=drive_link

Thanks for all the continued love and support and prayers!

~Jessica~

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Here is the list of continued needs and ways to help:

1. Link to meal train to sign up to deliver a meal:   https://mealtrain.com/0or7w9

2. Financial donations to pay for medical expenses given her inability to work.  Best done through Venmo @Tambra-Dahlheimer or through GoFund me Link here: http://gofundme.com/f/support-for-tammie-and-family

Read More of the journal titled "April 25, 2024 - making memories"
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