Tamara's Post-Surgery/Cancer Fund

As many of you may know, Tamara and her husband, George, have had a year of medical complications and repeated hospital visits, most recently a pelvic prolapse surgery and cystocele repair, which will require 12 weeks of recovery during which she cannot move extensively, and not enough to work, and a biopsy which resulted in a diagnosis of vulvarian cancer, while the extent of the cancer hasnt yet been determined, at minimum it will take 3-4 months to treat, and even  more if it requires chemotherapy . These surgeries are made more dangerous because of her incurable blood clotting disease, which requires doctors to perform massive blood transfusions throughout the operation. A lot of people know Tamara's design work through her studio TamaraK, or her features in GQ and the Times Colonist, or her inclusion in a featured show at the Victoria Art Gallery, but because of these medical issues, she has been unable to work since late August, and will remain this way until she recovers from her October 13th surgery.

Tamara has also been left with neuropathic pain from a case of shingles, and is suffering from a stomach ulcer which doctors are still deciding on a proper treatment for. Her leg was shattered in three places in December of last year which her nervous system has still not recovered from.  George has been very supportive through these procedures, taking a second job in construction to help supplement their income but also is still recovering from a surgery earlier this year. With the recent discovery of cancer, there will doubtless be more expenses and more time away from work in future, forcing Tamara to survive on a severly limited disability pension. To help cover living expenses while she cannot work during her surgical recovery, we are asking for 20,000 dollars.


It's a big ask, but until Tamara is able to work again, it will allow her and the Konstantinov family to pay for eventual cancer treatment, medications, groceries and rent. This money will also help to relieve some stress giving Tamara time to rest and work on her mental health, which has been impacted severely due to the repated hospital visits, several addictive painkillers and 12 antipsychotics, 8 of which are addictive medication. This level of medication has worsened her middle form schizophrenia and made the anxiety and depression she has suffered since childhood worse and its effects more frequent, and as it stands she is under constant medical supervision and it is often hard for her just to get up in the morning. Tamara has had to recover from 3 suicide attempts after her mother passed in 2004.Tamara is an active member of her church and church service community. Her generosity and care for her family and friends and unique experiences as a refugee make her emblematic of the Canadian spirit. Any contribution is appreciated.