Tammy Naramore McDaniel

🧡 MY STORY IN 5 POINTS: WALKING IN FAITH ON MY 58th BIRTHDAY 🧡

•The Diagnosis and the Silent Disease:
In January 2025, my world changed when I was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). It is a rare blood cancer caused by an accidental genetic swap between chromosomes 9 and 22, acting like an internal light switch stuck permanently in the “ON” position. Because it builds slowly behind the scenes, it is truly a silent disease that most people know nothing about.

•The Daily Invisible Battle: To keep that cellular switch taped down, I take a daily targeted therapy pill called Scemblix. While I am profoundly grateful for this life-saving medicine, processing it every single day forces my body through deep bone pain and severe fatigue that you cannot see from the outside.

•A Hard and Fast Wake-Up Call: This birthday weekend, the harsh reality of being immunocompromised hit me like a runaway train. COVID-19 hit hard and fast, leading to consecutive emergency room visits at ECU Health for an acute febrile illness and severe tonsillar ulceration. It has been a frightening valley, but I am going to be fine.

•Down But Absolutely Not Defeated:
It is always tough deciding how much to share on here, and you worry about being dramatic when everyone else is carrying their own heavy issues. But I am sharing my truth today because awareness is everything. I may be down right now on the couch, but through the grace of God, I am absolutely not defeated!

•My Birthday Wish (Join the Hive!): Today, September 22nd, is World CML Awareness Day (9/22, named after those trading chromosomes) and it is also my 58th Birthday! Sharing my birthday with this global movement is a beautiful reminder that my life is intentionally held by my Heavenly Father. My biggest praise is for my incredible husband Kevin—who has been my absolute shield—my daughters, grandbabies, family, and loyal friends.

Please wear ORANGE for me today to help bring light to this silent disease! 👑🙌✨🌿🍂
#chronicmyeloidleukaemia #noonefightsalone🧡 #cml #cmladvocates #iamthey
P.S.. the song Scars by I Am They has been my anthem leading up to my diagnosis and everyday si