Tami Shreve

The year was 2000, 18 years ago, Tami was diagnosed with an “Epidermoid Brain Tumor”.  This tumor is very rare and the incidence of intracranial epidermoid is 0.2 % to 1.8 % of all brain tumors. She underwent surgery and was monitored for signs of regrowth. Over the next few years Tami learned that the tumor not only was back but in fact was growing.

It was fall of 2012 they decided it was time for her second surgery. Unfortunately they knew right away that surgery was not successful in removing the nasty tumor and left her with complications to balance and speech, hearing loss and nerve damage to the right side of her face, all of which she overcame while knowing someday she would be faced with another surgery.

The fall of 2017 Tami’s Neurosurgeon here in Minneapolis gave her names of two renowned Neurosurgeons in the United States that were capable of operating on this type of tumor. The doctor she chose was located in North Carolina; he was confident that he could remove the whole tumor.

So in January 2018, Tami and her family traveled to North Carolina to have the surgery. During surgery the doctor was able to see just how massive this tumor was and needed the family’s permission to continue with a more aggressive approach. He was successful in removing the whole tumor but this left Tami with total paralysis of the left side of her body from the neck down and the right side of her face.

Tami spent 3 months at Courage Kenney Center working intensely with a team of amazing professionals to help her regain her strength and mobility. Tami’s body has not recovered as quickly as hoped. Today she is still in a wheelchair and requires assistance for even the simplest tasks. With how hard she was working they had full confidence she would one day be able to care for herself again.

Then the news came that the insurance company decided Tami would be discharged on June 1; not nearly as independent as she needs to be. This has been a huge set back in the progress she was making. Today she still needs 24/7 care. Tami has good days and bad days, many highs and lows, but through it all she has kept her wonderful sense of humor and wit.  She has a HUGE support team of loving friends and family but the uncertainty of what her future holds is devastating and is taking a toll on all of us.

Your generous donations will help lift some of the financial burden off the family so they can focus on helping Tami with her recovery. Their hopes are to use the funds to hire personal caregivers and an OT/PT team that she needs to continue for her recovery. As well as many adjustments that are needed to make the house wheelchair accessible.

We know Tami can do this and we know it will be made easier with all of your support.

Thank you

Your kindness is deeply appreciated