Team Jami

Today has been seriously stressful.  I've been unconsciously clenching my teeth all day and my jaw is killing me!  Today my little sister Jami had a brain tumor removed...

Jami has been struggling with serious medical issues since she was 14 years old (well, even some before that).  I can't imagine what it was like to spend your teenage years with severe chronic pain, doctor after doctor, multiple surgeries, barely able to eat, constant suffering and friends who didn't understand and most who didn't even support her.  Those with chronic illness can probably relate to how difficult it is to have the support from even those closest to you.  Especially when no one - not even the specialists - know what is going wrong inside your body.

As the years progressed, so did her illness.  As she continued to see doctors they found many things wrong but nothing could explain all the symptoms she was experiencing.  One day Jami saw an episode of Tyra where a girl was explaining her pituitary tumor.  Jami was like "oh my gosh!  I have a that!!!"  It took MANY tests and years for the doctors to realize that she was right all along.

Jami's tumor caused Cushing's Disease.  This rare disease is even more uncommon in someone as young as she was - especially cause they think it began 10 years earlier.  This degenerative disease slowly takes away your quality of life.  As Jami's symptoms progressed, she became more private with her battle.  I don't think anyone can really understand the hell that she has been through.  Her illness once allowed her to attend some college classes and hold a part time job, but as the Cushing's got worse she rarely was able to leave the house.  She finally had to quit her job as a temple worker - that was a sad sad day.  When she did leave the house it was only on the best of days and with strategically placed makeup (she is seriously so talented at hair and makeup).  But over the past year she hasn't even been able to do that.

Today she is at the Skull Base Institute where her doctor is the one who pioneered endoscopic pituitary surgery.  So ya, he's the one you want inside your brain.  This is an intense surgery.  I don't want to go into the details on her illnesses or the recovery on this blog.  That's not my story to tell.  But let me say that even though the surgery went well (whoo hoo!) she has a long road ahead of her.  And even after she recovers from the surgery, works with her endocrinologist to undo the years of Cushing's, rebuilds herself, etc - she will still have to battle her other on-going medical problems.

But today we are celebrating that the surgery was successful!  (well, maybe not Jami, I don't think she's up for celebrating right now........)

We are excited to meet our Jami again.  She is hilarious, loving, kind, creative, thoughtful, smart, beautiful, talented, tough, strong, patient, and amazing.

Back to "Team Jami"....
Last spring my mom, my sister Kandy, and I decided that we wanted to surprise Jami somehow to show her that we are all supporting her.  It is discouraging to be so sick and feel like the world is passing you by while you lay, forgotten and alone.  We wanted to prove to her that there are many people who love her.  So we began Team Jami.  We quietly exchanged emails with Jami's family and friends.  We told them about our idea and asked if they wanted to be a part of it.  Word spread and Team Jami kept growing.  When we ordered shirts we bought over 330!!!  We asked everyone who received a shirt to take a picture of themselves wearing it and send the photos to us.  Then we made a Shutterfly book full of Team Jami pictures.  Each page was physical proof of the love we all shared for her.  We gave her the book and it was such a sweet experience.  The love pouring from those pages and into Jami was overwhelming.  Jami had her book in hand as they wheeled her into the hospital this morning.

We are so thankful to those of you who joined us in Team Jami last year and for the many more who've joined Team Jami in the last week.  We feel grateful for all of you - even some who don't even know Jami!!!  We are so thankful for the network of courage and strength that you've given to her during this difficult time.  The prayers and thoughtful notes you've provided have been uplifting and encouraging.  I know that Heavenly Father hears your prayers on her behalf.  I know that He is mindful of Jami, He loves her, and He wants her to find joy and happiness in this life.  We want to thank you all again.  You don't know what your support means to us all.  If you find yourself thinking of her in the days/weeks/months to come, please continue to reach out to her as her arduous journey is far from over.  We love you all!!!

Go Team Jami!  (I'm not posting the many awesome TJ pictures that I have of other people cause I don't have their permission...)