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Tammy Needs Your Help

Tammy Bolerjack was born with a progressive and terminal lung disease, known as Cystic Fibrosis. Over the years, Tammy’s illness progressed, and by 2009 things took a turn for the worse. Her lung function started to rapidly decline, and she was placed on fulltime oxygen therapy. Tammy was rushed to the hospital and eventually placed on a ventilator. It was at this time she was advised that a double lung transplant was her only hope to survive. After months of struggle, and twelve days on a ventilator, Tammy finally received a double lung transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida on August 28th, 2011. Despite horrible pain and extended time in the hospital, Tammy recovered well and gained a new lease on life!

Updates (50)

December 9, 2018

A couple months ago I had my Dermatology check up. I go every 6 months since skin cancer is very common to develop being immunosuppressant due to anti-rejection medications. Since my transplant I have had a melanoma on my neck that required major surgery, several squamous cells and most recently a basal cell on my face that was found in my last check up. My doctor wanted the Mohs surgery done so I had to meet with the Dermatology surgeon who would do the Mohs and then meet with the Plastic surgeon who would close the open wound (since it was on my face).

I had Mohs on Nov 19, 2018. I already have anxiety issues due to CF and transplant so this surgery of course doesn't help. The worst part was the needle and lidocaine. Talk about pain in a very sensitive are...it was not fun and all I could do was cry until the area was finally numb. We got lucky and all the cancer was removed in one cutting. And I was also very lucky that I did not have to wait 6 hours to see the plastic surgeon to have him close. He was able to see me an hour after. Of course he had to re-numb the area and that wasn't pleasant...I jumped so bad when he hit a spot. In order to close the area he had to cut more of my skin off...when done I had 5 stitches and a VERY Fat and numb lip!

Before I had my skin cancer surgery, which was on a Monday, I had sinus surgery on Nov 16, 2018 (Thursday). My last sinus surgery was 2 years ago so it was time to get them cleaned out again and open some areas that closed off. surgery took 2 1/2 hours and for the first time ever we decided to try and do out patient and see how it would go (normally I don't do outpatient because I can't do oral pain meds because they make me sick). I can tell you that I will never do out patient on any surgery again. I was in recovery till after 9pm at night (we got to Mayo pre-op at 10am). I had a panic attack and had to be given something to calm down. We finally got out of recovery and went to a hotel near the hospital (we do not live in Jacksonville). I vomited once when we got to the hotel. I took 2 pain pills and went to sleep. I woke up at 4am and had to take 1 pain pill and fell back asleep. In the morning we just kinda laid in bed for a bit and then I started feeling nauseated. I vomited again. We packed up and went to go get breakfast and I had to take my rejection medications at 9am. So I got a plain bagel and took my meds. All of them came up when I vomited again. I tried again to take my medications and again vomited them up. We were half way home when I vomited 2 more times so we called my transplant coordinator and told her I was unable to keep my anti-rejection medications down. She suggested calling in some Zofran for me but I had to tell her that doesn't work for me because everytime I have ever had to try and take it I just vomit immediately. So the only option was to go back to Mayo Clinic into the ER for some fluids and IV Zofran. Once there my port was accessed and they gave me an entire bag of fluids with Zofran. My transplant doctor came down and they wanted to admit me for observation because of vomiting and not being able to keep meds down. I had already told my ER doctor I really didn't want to be admitted so he said drink some water and eat some crackers and we will see if you can keep it down....and I did! So both doctors were ok with me being released but if I vomited anymore I would have to come back and get admitted. Luckily, I did not throw up anymore! We got home and the next couple days were just healing and trying to get some food in me and prepare for my Monday skin cancer surgery.

Sometimes you have to cram surgeries for certain reasons and it's tough with them so close together but now they are done and I'm a few weeks out and doing well.

July 21, 2017

Back in antibiotics for sinuses again. This time and oral and inhaled antibiotic and soon to be nasal flush.

My 6 year post transplant check-up is next month.

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Guestbook

July 22, 2020

I keep you in my prayers and hope you are well.

Anonymous

September 7, 2015

Thinking of our fun times at the beach always brings a smile to my face. Rarely, do I see a lemon wedge and not think of you, lol. Sending love across the state.

Wendy Noble-McDonnell

August 28, 2015

Congrats on your fourth year of recovery!! We are so proud of your dedication and perserverance to your health. You are my inspiration everyday! Love you!!!

Lisa Terrill