In October of 2011, Tami started having pain in her breast through her armpit. With no history of breast cancer in her family, she wasn't really worried about it. On January 12, 2012, after a mammogram and biopsy, she was diagnosed with Stage 2A ER+/PR+ invasive ductal carcinoma aka breast cancer. In total, she had 11 surgeries, 35 sessions of radiation, and hormone treatment before she was declared to be in remission. For the next few years, she had to discover a new normal with a body that was no longer the same, a body scarred by radiation, with less strength and mobility. She fought internal battles with the guilt of surviving when so many others don't, accepting the changes in her body and mind, and keeping a positive outlook through her darkest moments, all while trying to be an attentive mother to her son and daughter, a reassuring friend, a loving wife, and a team player at work. Then, almost 12 years later when she was sure she had put breast cancer in her rearview mirror, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer to the manubrium and mammory nodes. Because of the type of cancer she now has, she has to travel to MD Anderson in Texas for treatment, which consists of radiation, targeted therapy, and monthly injections. She has monthly oncology appointments to monitor the spread of the disease, and she will be fighting this battle until treatment stops working.

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For this reason, In The Middle chose Tami to be a Dreams 4 Metas Recipient.  Tami's dream is to travel to the Amalfi Coast in Italy with her daughter.  In The Middle is paying for that trip so they can make memories before it is too late.  If you would like to donate, click the DONATE button above.

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