March 19, 2024
Image from 2022
On March 19, 2024, we learned that my mom Tammy has cancer in the bones and liver. The last little while has been a rollercoaster, as Tam had been declining in health and increasing in pain and other symptoms and we didn’t know why. Right now, there is a lot we don’t know. Through appointments in the next days and weeks we will learn more about her cancer and what treatment will look like. Right now, Tammy is dealing with some extremely painful physical symptoms, and our family is working out all sorts of hurt and shock from this sudden diagnosis. Tammy survived breast cancer about 10 years ago, and knowing a similar fight could be ahead is difficult for all of us to come to terms with.
With the flood of rushed appointments and treatments and surgeries coming up, my parents will need help. Between my siblings and I and my parents’ support network, we’ll cover cooking and other needs like that. I'm taking a leave from work and school to help, and my siblings will be here lots as well.
If you are looking to help, here’s a few ways to do that:
Mental and Spiritual Support
I’ve made an email address for support messages to my mom and our family. Instead of everyone messaging my mom, we’d love if you sent messages to that email address so that we can read them at a good time, and we won’t always respond, but we will read each one and I know it will mean a lot to Tammy. The email address is :
lovefortammydyck@gmail.com
Please don't be offended if you don't receive answers from us at this time, we have muted our notifications as the noises and vibrations were difficult for her.
And please pray. One of the first things Tammy asked me after her diagnosis is how this situation could be used to help people, so I think her biggest prayer request is that somehow this would bring God glory and draw people to Him.
Extra Love
If you know Tammy, she spends all her time, quite literally, trying to make everyone happy. I’m going to do my best to treat Tammy to some joy. I wanna take her to get her nails done, get her house cleaned, and hopefully get her hair done for a while longer. And make her little yard beautiful with some gardening. If you want to help us with any of that it would mean a lot to us and be a huge help. If you want to give a plant in a pot for our patio, that would make her space here beautiful and joyful, and give us something to take care of and enjoy. Especially since we'll be spending so much time at home. Just send me a private message if this is a way you'd like to contribute.
It is not necessary, but if you’d like to bless us by helping with meals and other needs, gift cards to Amazon, WalMart, or Gas stations are most helpful. Coffee and Uber Eats gift cards are also a blessing for when we are on the go.
If you have any questions about how to support, please feel free to reach out to me.
Love, Riley (and the Dyck family!)
