04/01/2026
Hi friends, this is Tamara.
I wanted to say hello and to give you an update on my health and diagnosis.
Since November, I’ve had 5 sessions of chemotherapy, taking place every 3 weeks. The first three weren’t too bad but as time went by, they got more and more exhausting and debilitating. Four and five would keep me in bed for 3-4 days in what I would describe as a “chemical flu”. Recovering from my surgery on November 3 along with chemotherapy made eating a once-a-day activity if even that. Since November, I’ve lost 50 lbs. I’ve also developed neuropathy in my hands and feet.
Currently, I’m doing quite well. I’ve chosen to only be on an immunotherapy, Keytruda and I handle that well enough.
When I came out of surgery, it was discovered that everything they took out of me (uterus, ovaries, etc) was positive for cancer. I also had multiple organs (liver, lungs, spleen, etc. ) peppered with cancerous lesions from the cancerous endometrial tissue that had been growing in my abdomen. I was given between 18 months to 3 years to live.
With every chemo infusion, I’m given an extensive blood test and I’ve had 3 CT scans thus far as well. If you’re familiar with the cancer antigen test, CA-125, you know that “normal”, non-cancerous is 35 (I was over 300 in November). As of March 26, I’m at 34 and back in a “normal” range. My CT scans have also looked clean for the past 10 weeks. There is one area that is being watched, but nothing is growing or changing with that area of interest.
I have to give a shout-out to Froedtert Hospital (Wauwatosa and West Bend locations). Froedtert has been incredibly professional and every person I’ve dealt with from oncology to a check-in desk has been incredible.
When I came out of surgery and then spent 5 days recovering in the hospital, I went directly to my parents house in Hartford, WI. I never went back to my own apartment or my shop. Unfortunately, that part of my life was instantly over and I had accepted that. My mother and step-father have been incredibly supportive with their level of care and resources. I will spend the rest of my life trying to care for them as well as they’ve cared for me. So many others have been instrumental in their care of me, it’s hard to wrap my head around it. Your prayers and good wishes have made a difference. I’m beating Stage 4 cancer within a 5 month period of time and I hope and pray it never comes back.
As I’ve explained to many others, God is designing and directing this and I’m just along for the ride. So many lessons have been learned and I’m amazed at the strength of my mind and body. My attitude towards all of this is making all the difference. Every day is a good day, every struggle has meaning, and I am grateful to not have a cancer journey as difficult as some do.
Losing my business and not being able to serve my clients was a huge emotional hit for me. There were plenty of phone calls I took where I started out fine, but ended up crying on the phone as I explained that I’m not coming back. I’d love to see myself grooming again someday, but I don’t see that happening in 2026. Maybe I’ll be good to go in 2027.
I appreciate all of you. I loved being your groomer or even someone you could just bounce questions off of. It was my pleasure to care for you and your pets.
I’m getting better. I think my hair is growing back and I’m starting to feel more and more normal every day instead of looking and feeling like a cancer patient. I’m excited for my future. God has kept me around for a reason.
All the best,
Tamara
