Help Tami pay her medical bills
Donation protected
They say that life can change in an instant. I’ve seen it, in other friends’ lives. I felt it when I lost my parents. But I was not prepared for this. As most of you know, I left Bellevue for my dream job in November 2019. I was blessed to be a Lifesaving Care Specialist at the Parrot Garden, for Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. I was combining my love of camping, love of animals, and living in the most beautiful place ever. As hard as it was to leave my home in Bellevue, I was ready for adventure.
And it was amazing! The red rocks were majestic, the inspiration of living there can’t be put into words Everyone at Best Friends was so great, we all have the same dream. SAVE THEM ALL! I was instantly “at home”. I set up camp at the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation Campground. (Several other Best Friends workers lived there) The sunrises and sunsets were breathtaking, and each day I had to pinch myself that I really lived there.
And then there was Covid. By March I was self-quarantined, even though, somehow in June I had Covid.
2 months later, I was still experiencing aftereffects. I made an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor in St. George, It was 75 miles away. Not an easy commute. He thought it could be a torn meniscus. I was given a shot and sent on my way. 2 days later the pain was back with a vengeance. I requested an MRI. I also suggested they do my lower back, trying to determine the numbness. Fast forward to the results. There was a mass on my pelvis the size of a grapefruit.
I was sent for some blood tests. And then my world changed forever.
It was Monday morning at 8:00am. I didn’t have cell service at the campground, but I could receive vmail. The doctor wanted me to call him. I had to drive to a vista about a mile and a half to get service. It was a clear, beautiful morning. I dialed the office. “Dr. wants you to have his personal cell number”. His voice was quiet, kind and I only remember hearing. “you have Ovarian Cancer; the mass is the size of a grapefruit. It’s very progressive, you need to find a place where you can get help. And you must do it now.” The rest of his explanation is a blur. I stared out at the beautiful vista in front of me, alone in my truck, in this dream place I had wanted to live, and I couldn’t feel a thing. “I’m dying? NO! It’s just my numb leg!” What do I do?
I called my cousin in Louisiana. My only family. I don’t remember much, but she said, “come”. I drove back to my camper and spent the rest of the day crying. I didn’t want to die, and I couldn’t leave my kids. Over the next week, my doctors in Utah sent all my medical records to a new doctor in Louisiana, and I packed. I was on the road to Louisiana 7 days later. Leaving my dream behind. I had to stay completely self-contained. No contact with the world, we were in a pandemic, and I was at risk. It took 9 days to reach Louisiana. Laura and Cathie met me at a gas station and led me to my new home. They brought me in and cared for me. 2 days after I arrived, I met with my surgeon, and everything was scheduled to save my life.
I had a complete hysterectomy and started Chemo treatments in December. Combined with great meals and company from the 2 women who gave me unconditional care.
I am not good at asking for help. I do not like thinking I can’t do something. But I really need your help. Turns out, Cancer is expensive. And life continues to give me challenges. Boo, my miniature schnauzer has recently had medical issues as well, and his vet bills are coming up as well. I humbly ask for anything you can graciously give to help Boo and I continue treatment and pay the bills that are coming in.
I am doing better than I ever dreamed. Unfortunately, I am still unable to work. 6 months ago, on that vista, I thought it was over. But it is not! I am so excited to see what life has in store for me!
Thank you for reading this exceptionally long story and for any donation you can send. I will be continuing my treatments and paying my (our) medical bills with your donation. This has been a difficult journey, that I’ve only shared with a few, as it took a while for me to process everything and concentrate on getting well.
And it was amazing! The red rocks were majestic, the inspiration of living there can’t be put into words Everyone at Best Friends was so great, we all have the same dream. SAVE THEM ALL! I was instantly “at home”. I set up camp at the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation Campground. (Several other Best Friends workers lived there) The sunrises and sunsets were breathtaking, and each day I had to pinch myself that I really lived there.
And then there was Covid. By March I was self-quarantined, even though, somehow in June I had Covid.
2 months later, I was still experiencing aftereffects. I made an appointment with an Orthopedic doctor in St. George, It was 75 miles away. Not an easy commute. He thought it could be a torn meniscus. I was given a shot and sent on my way. 2 days later the pain was back with a vengeance. I requested an MRI. I also suggested they do my lower back, trying to determine the numbness. Fast forward to the results. There was a mass on my pelvis the size of a grapefruit.
I was sent for some blood tests. And then my world changed forever.
It was Monday morning at 8:00am. I didn’t have cell service at the campground, but I could receive vmail. The doctor wanted me to call him. I had to drive to a vista about a mile and a half to get service. It was a clear, beautiful morning. I dialed the office. “Dr. wants you to have his personal cell number”. His voice was quiet, kind and I only remember hearing. “you have Ovarian Cancer; the mass is the size of a grapefruit. It’s very progressive, you need to find a place where you can get help. And you must do it now.” The rest of his explanation is a blur. I stared out at the beautiful vista in front of me, alone in my truck, in this dream place I had wanted to live, and I couldn’t feel a thing. “I’m dying? NO! It’s just my numb leg!” What do I do?
I called my cousin in Louisiana. My only family. I don’t remember much, but she said, “come”. I drove back to my camper and spent the rest of the day crying. I didn’t want to die, and I couldn’t leave my kids. Over the next week, my doctors in Utah sent all my medical records to a new doctor in Louisiana, and I packed. I was on the road to Louisiana 7 days later. Leaving my dream behind. I had to stay completely self-contained. No contact with the world, we were in a pandemic, and I was at risk. It took 9 days to reach Louisiana. Laura and Cathie met me at a gas station and led me to my new home. They brought me in and cared for me. 2 days after I arrived, I met with my surgeon, and everything was scheduled to save my life.
I had a complete hysterectomy and started Chemo treatments in December. Combined with great meals and company from the 2 women who gave me unconditional care.
I am not good at asking for help. I do not like thinking I can’t do something. But I really need your help. Turns out, Cancer is expensive. And life continues to give me challenges. Boo, my miniature schnauzer has recently had medical issues as well, and his vet bills are coming up as well. I humbly ask for anything you can graciously give to help Boo and I continue treatment and pay the bills that are coming in.
I am doing better than I ever dreamed. Unfortunately, I am still unable to work. 6 months ago, on that vista, I thought it was over. But it is not! I am so excited to see what life has in store for me!
Thank you for reading this exceptionally long story and for any donation you can send. I will be continuing my treatments and paying my (our) medical bills with your donation. This has been a difficult journey, that I’ve only shared with a few, as it took a while for me to process everything and concentrate on getting well.
Organizer
Tami Barber
Organizer
Covington, LA