She was trying to get pregnant one moment, then fighting for her life the next

Carrie Tam was trying to get pregnant when she found out she had uterine cancer at the age of 35. Instead of a baby, Carrie was shocked to find out that she had to have a hysterectomy.

“It was definitely a sense of loss having that ability to carry my own child taken away from me,” Carrie says. “But I knew that I had a choice to make, and my life was the number one priority to me.”

Carrie, now 38, received another blow earlier this year when she learned her cancer had returned and spread to her lungs. This was devastating news for Carrie but, this time, she had Pink Ribbon Girls (PRG) of the Bay Area to support her through her cancer journey. Carrie began receiving free meals, prepared by Freshly and delivered right to her doorstep for both her and her husband. She also found comfort and guidance through PRG’s peer support events. 

“It has definitely been a huge blessing,” Carrie says of PRG. “A lot of people have to go through this alone, so I’m really glad there are organizations out there that can help so many women and cancer patients.”

Carrie’s cancer journey began several years ago when she and her husband were trying to get pregnant naturally with no luck. They decided to see a fertility specialist, at which point Carrie found out she had a large fibroid – muscular tumor that grew in the wall of the uterus. It was benign, as is most often the case with uterine fibroids.

Carrie had it removed and didn’t have much reason to worry until 2019 when an ultrasound revealed some irregularities in her uterus. That’s when Carrie got heartbreaking news: She had Stage 1 uterine cancer. 

“It was definitely a shock,” Carrie says. “Even my doctor was shocked when he came in with the results.”

Carrie’s doctor – who knew how badly she wanted kids – asked if she wanted to go through with the hysterectomy. To Carrie, her health was most important. She received a total laparoscopic hysterectomy, leaving behind just her ovaries. The surgery was a success. Carrie was cancer-free. 

“Doctors said everything looked OK,” Carrie says. “Studies showed that there was a 90% chance that the cancer wouldn't come back.”

The odds seemed to be in Carrie’s favor until earlier this year when she received her annual follow-up CT scan. It showed the nodules in her lungs, which had originally been small enough not to warrant concern from her doctors, had gotten bigger. A lung biopsy revealed it was cancer that had metastasized. Carrie would need to undergo six rounds of chemotherapy. 

Carrie began seeking out resources for cancer patients. Fortunately, she was introduced to Pink Ribbon Girls through the women’s health center shortly after her re-diagnosis. 

“A lot of people have to go through this alone, or it takes them a while to get a diagnosis or find any type of assistance,” Carrie says. “I was very fortunate to have found this organization early on.”

Carrie and her husband began receiving free meals from PRG in May of 2022. Pink Ribbon Girls’ meals are prepared by Freshly – the leader in chef-prepared meal delivery with a rotating menu of more than 50 unique options, all crafted from clean, whole-food ingredients and ready to eat in just three minutes. 

Pink Ribbon Girls recently partnered with Freshly, which now allows PRG clients to log onto the Freshly app or website and customize their food preferences and dietary restrictions. 

“You can see the pictures of the meals and a list of ingredients, which speak volumes about how appetizing they are,” Carrie says. “On the weeks of chemo treatment, I have a lack of appetite. So it was just something I looked forward to, knowing I had those delicious meals waiting for me at home.”

Carrie says her favorite dishes are the tikka masala, mushroom risotto and Korean-style pork with sticky rice. She and her husband opted to have meals delivered on the weeks during which Carrie was undergoing treatment. Freshly gives you the ability to skip meals and customize the day of when you want your meal delivered.

“It's just those extra things, like not having to cook or meal prep,” Carrie says. “That can really take away from my stressors.”

Carrie also found a sense of camaraderie through PRG’s peer support programs. She began participating in the virtual Coffee Talks – the long-time label PRG has attached to survivor gatherings – as well as monthly gynecological cancer group meetings. 

“Everyone has been so amazing and supportive and open to sharing their stories,” Carrie says. “It's very inspiring to see what people go through. Even though it's very unfortunate, you realize you’re not alone.”