Cancer fighting single mom Tamara Kcehowski

Plain and simple CANCER SUCKS!  This rally is for my dearest cousin, Tammy, who is like a sister to me.  Although she is a few years older than I, we have shared  many life experiences together.  We were even pregnant with our girls at the same time.  We laugh at the same unspoken things and find humor when the chips are down.

I don't even know where to start as her health has never been as good as mine.  Hers has been plagued with ulcerative colitis her entire life and diagnosed with breast cancer (21) years ago.  The breast cancer has returned again but the stakes are much higher this time as now she is battling this as a single mom of a 15 year old daughter, Mikayla, who suffers from a heart defect and neurological issues - all without any family in the state to be by their side.

A partial mastectomy with lymph nodes removed was performed in May 2018 but she didn't get clean margins and underwent a single mastectomy in June along with oral treatment and radiation.  She finished radiation in November but is still recovering from the after effects and another mastectomy is needed.  Three of her medications lower her resistance to infection making fevers common place, not to mention the other unpleasant side effects as she battles on.  How she has slugged through this while working is beyond me.  For the last two years Tammy has been throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the UC and Cancer, including a keto diet, nutrition, meditation, prayer and volunteerism when she is up to it.  Because she believes you can't help but smile and feel good when you are helping others!  She volunteers for anything involving her daughter, community and pets.  Ironically, Tammy became an Aflac Agent to help others from ever facing a financial hardship when you are unable to work due to a serious illness or accident.  Unfortunately, her own diagnosis came before she could be covered under a supplemental policy herself.

Her immediate need in the up coming week is help with the day to day expenses, such as rent and back rent to allow for another surgery.  Her stress of possibly facing homelessness at this time is overwhelming and detrimental to her recovery not to mention the fear her daughter is experiencing.  Having a place to lay their heads while she continues on this journey to recovery would be a Godsend.

Many of you are just now learning of the battles Tammy is fighting and really has been fighting for years.  Her number one concern has always been for her daughter. She is as brave as it comes and stubborn as hell.  Yes, I can say that as she is the only person I know on planet Earth who took an Uber home, by herself, from the hospital after a major surgery!!  She prepared everything in advance, meals for herself and Mikayla because as she said, "I've got this." - never wanting to be a burden.  She is not one to wallow but just grit her teeth and keep going.  Tammy has been there for all of us and touched all of our lives in some way and I am hoping to help get her over this hurdle.

So I ask you to please rally around her with your donations, prayers, well wishes and by sharing with your family and friends so she isn't flying solo again just yet. 


We will keep you updated as her journey continues.