Support Tammy‘s Care with CJD

On Monday, November 18th, Tammy started acting off and was not her usual self. She was taken to the hospital where numerous tests were performed. She was admitted and the tests continued but it seemed as if no answer could be determined. While in the hospital, Tammy’s mental status continued to decline.

On Thursday, November 21st, the neurologist finally came in and told us that she had Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, also known as CJD. It is a very rare brain disorder, about 1-2 cases of CJD are diagnosed per million people around the world each year. CJD is a rapidly progressing disease that leads to dementia and there is no treatment or cure. It is fatal with a prognosis of about 4-6 months.

Tammy just had her 60th birthday in August and has so much life to live but since her diagnosis the disease has already progressed rapidly. This has left our family and friends completely devastated and heartbroken. She has already been in the hospital for a week but she will need a higher level of care which unfortunately is not fully covered by insurance. 

We do not know how much longer we will have with Tammy and we don’t know how much her care will cost but with your generosity and support, all funds will help offset the cost of her continued care and future funeral expenses, which will include returning to Louisiana so she may be buried with her parents and sister.

Tammy has been the best wife, mother, Mimi, daughter, aunt, friend, and so much more to every person in her life. We never imagined that a disease like this would change the trajectory of her life so much. We are shocked, in disbelief, and completely and utterly broken by this diagnosis.

If you are unable to donate, we ask that you please pray for her and our family as we navigate this unexpected news and the road ahead.

Expected cost breakdown:

-Higher quality living tacitly with a private room, with room for all her visitors

-Around the clock caregivers

-Amenities while in her new living facility to help feel as much like herself as possible

-When the time comes, we will make arrangements for Tammy to return home to Louisiana where she will be buried with her parents and sister

-A beautiful celebration of life to celebrate our wonderful Tammy.