Published: October 15, 2009 09:30 am      

Keeping awareness alive

Tammie Kooi was 27 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Now at age 47, Tammie, 1445 17th Ave., Camanche, has been cancer free for 19 years.

In April of 1990, Tammie discovered a lump on her breast and went to her local doctor. She was told not to worry too much about it.

“I just knew something wasn’t right, so I kind of pushed for a mammogram,” said Tammie. The mammogram confirmed that she did in fact have breast cancer.

“I guess you just don’t expect to hear that. You just kind of go into a ‘What am I going to do now’ kind of mode,” said Tammie, adding, “I knew I needed to do something to get rid of it cause I wanted to live the rest of my life.”

At that time Clinton did not have a specialist as it does today, so Tammie chose to be treated in Iowa City. Due to her age, Tammie opted to have a lumpectomy. However, when the doctors went to perform the procedure, they found more cancer than initially expected. Tammie’s lymphnodes also were found positive for cancer.

“I was told it was a fast, aggressive type and that I needed to do something. So I had the mastectomy right away and then I had six cycles of chemo,” said Tammie.

Tammie finished her chemotherapy treatments in October 1990. Within one month, she had recurrence. Tammie said the doctors told her the prognosis was not very good.

“At that point, I was told that without a bone marrow transplant, that I would not likely see 30,” said Tammie.

Tammie met with another surgeon and discussed her options. Instead of a bone marrow transplant, they decided to try removing the lump which had returned and having her take aggressive radiation treatments. Tammie had six and a half weeks of radiation every day. By the end of her treatment she was cancer free and has remained cancer free these past 19 years.

“Obviously you have a different outlook on life after being told you may not live the next three years,” said Tammie. “I think I’ve learned to appreciate more of just life in general; appreciate people more; appreciate things more. It changes your whole outlook. I’m thankful for a lot more.”

Tammie said the experience has made her very active in breast cancer awareness. She has volunteered and participated in a variety of programs.

“At first I thought I didn’t really want anybody to know. But then I changed my whole thinking on that because I thought if I could make a difference somehow by letting my story out there, then it would be, what was the purpose in not telling my story,” said Tammie.

Tammie started volunteering with the American Cancer Society’s Reach to Recovery program. This program provides cancer survivors a chance to offer information, help and support to individuals battling breast cancer. Volunteers make telephone calls or visits to these individuals. Packets with literature, bras and other items are given to the patient.

“I think it started originally — and I can remember having my visit in the hospital — just to let you know you’re going to get through this. You know, there’s other people who have been through this,” said Tammie, adding, “I get an opportunity to let women who are going through it know kind of what to expect and if the just need a shoulder to cry on or have any questions that, you know, on a personal level, I guess, can be answered.”

She said the program can be a way to support breast cancer patients and offer them hope. She said it can be a reminder that there is “light at the end of the tunnel.”

“Cause sometimes, when you get that diagnosis, you’re thinking, obviously you’re thinking there is no light at the end of the tunnel,” said Tammie.

Since the first year she was diagnosed, Tammie has been participating in the Race for the Cure in the Quad-Cities. That first year Tammie and four of her friends took part in the race. She said over the years she has grown this group to include family and friends. She said now she hires two buses to transport more than 100 people to the race.

Over the years Tammie has also participated in the Relay for Life. This Sunday, Tammie will be bowling for a cure in Camanche. She also has participated in mastectomy fashion shows at Trinity. Her involvement in breast cancer awareness has grown to the point it has taken over a room in her home.

One of Tammie’s rooms is filled with a variety of pink ribbons and other breast cancer items. Her walls are even decorated with a border of light and dark pink ribbons. Each of these cloth ribbons were cut out by Tammie. A quilt with a pink ribbon on it hangs on one wall. Another quilt is a patchwork of her various Race for the Cure T-shirts.. A small artificial Christmas tree is decorated in ribbons. Tammie said she had to frame the small doll shirt with a pink ribbon on it when one of her friends gave it to her. She said many of the items in her room were given to her from friends and family.

Tammie said she feels very lucky to have been cancer free for the past 19 years. Over the years, she has received a great deal of support from friends, family and the community. She said she is extremely grateful for this.

“I don’t know where I’d be without having had that support of my family and friends when I was going through that,” said Tammie. She said she is happy to be able to offer that support and advise to others as well.

“No one’s safe from having to worry about it (breast cancer). That’s for certain. I mean, at my age, as I said, especially at 27, I was definitely expecting it,” said Tammie. She said people need to be prepared for the possibility of breast cancer and most of all, trust their instincts.

“If I would not have pushed for that mammogram; that’s always in the back of my mind,” said Tammie.



Each week during the month of October, the Clinton Herald will profile an area woman who has survived breast cancer. To find out more information about breast cancer awareness, log on to the American Cancer Society’s Web site, Cancer.org.