Tammy and Fighting Crohn's Disease

Thanks for clicking and taking time to read. I'm doing this campaign from someone I care dearly for and is very close to me. She has been through so much in the last 16 years. She doesn't see any future, is severly depressed, and doesn't know how she will get through each day. 

Her story and what I'm hoping to do for her...

At the age of 21 Tammy, so very dear to my heart, was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. For years, she was put on numerous medications that didn't work and her disease became increasingly worse. Unfortunately, she was allergic to the one medication that DID work for her, Remicade.

Then in 2008, her world changed. She had her first bowel resection surgery. But, there were many complications. A routine surgery with a 4 day hospitalization turned into a month and a half hospitalization; which included 21 days in a medically induced coma and one month in the Intensive Care Unit. From all of this, she needed a temporary ileostomy and her leg muscles atrophied from which she had to learn to walk again through intensive physical therapy.

Before that was all over, she ultimately had 5 surgeries in a 4 month period. The surgery was supposed to give her 10 years in remission, yet the worst happened... within a year the Crohn's was back.

Over the next several years her Crohn's was managed with Cimzia, Humira, and different combinations of drugs. She was never able to achieve remission or even freedom from pain. She suffered an enormous amount of pain in order to go to work and function in life.

However, while suffering through the pain and a game of drug roulette with doctors, she managed to take the Pennsylvania Emergency Medical Technician course at Jefferson Hospital. She passed with flying colors as we all proudly knew she would. This woman, who suffered pain every day, decided to dedicate her life to saving others. Tammy finally found a bit of happiness through everything.

Graduation Day! (Tammy in the middle front)

Tammy's smiling face during an icy cold day as an EMT!

Showing off the Ambulance.

That happiness wouldn't last. Nearly 3 years into working in EMS, the pain become too much to endure. She needed another bowel resection. Again, there were major complications. A second surgery and another termporary ileostomy was needed. While in the hospital, she developed pneumonia and other infections that resulted in another 9 day ICU stay.

Life after the hospital was extremely difficult. She spent 4 months with another ileostomy. It was necessary for her to heal physically, but was extremely upsetting for Tammy emotionally. Recovery and pain yet again interfered with every aspect of her life.

Last August, the ileostomy was reversed. Unfortunately, her health hasn't improved. She still endures debilitating pain. As a result of 4 months on a TPN, her stomach shrank leaving her without much of an appetite. Tammy has trouble eating enough to maintain her weight or remain adequately nourished. Recently, she was told she has an Incisional Hernia and has developed fistulas which will all require additional surgery.


In a wheelchair, still with ileostomy, TPN, and Antibiotics at the 2015 CCFA Take Steps Walk.

"Party for a Cure"/CCFA Fundraiser 2016

She is feeling so discouraged right now. Crohn's Disease very much runs her life. She can't attend events without having to rely on a bathroom being close by or having to leave early. She still has to undergo more surgeries and procedures. She fears she is becoming an angry person. What is heart-wrenching, is the fact that she can no longer work. Her dream of remaining in/around EMS may be lost. Looking into her eyes, hearing her speak about how hard it is becoming to, "see the light at the end of the tunnel" is heartbreaking. She has sank into a severe depression, and she worries she'll never be able to live a relatively normal and productive or happy life ever again.

How You Can Help:
Tammy is unable to work. She is going through some very rough financial times. We can come together to help her find some stability as well as maybe, "a little light at the end of the tunnel." Your donations, even the smallest of amounts, can go a long way in helping Tammy pay medical bills and living expenses. This would definitely give her some light and have a bit of the weight lifted. With your help, maybe we can put a smile back on her amazing and caring face.

I know that many of you have been very philanthropic by donating to the 'Party for a Cure'/Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America over the years that goes to the CCFA to help find a cure. I sincerely hope you will continue to generously donate to that cause. (Don't forget about the 'Party for a Cure' coming
April 2017).

THIS CAMPAIGN IS SPECIFICALLY GOING TO TAMMY. 
If you can open your hearts and wallets, maybe we can help Tammy find some peace of mind and a little happiness in her struggles.

I thank you from my very soul.  To reach the goal of this campaign would be to change the current position and lighten the depression of someone that deserves a ray of sunshine in a cloudy world of pain. Thank you so very much for your time, caring and philanthropy!