GF Woman Fights Rare Cancer

Tambarlee Mercer: "When they told me I have two weeks to live I'm pretty sure I was in shock, I cried I didn't know what to do."

Today 4 years later 44 year old Tambarlee Mercer has beaten the odds. What led her to that day began 4 years ago. She woke up one morning short of breath and felt sick.

Tambarlee Mercer: "I couldn't work I couldn't go from the parking lot to class so my faculty was concerned and said you got to go to the doctor."

Tamarlee went to a number of doctors, and had more than one diagnosis before landing at the Mayo clinic in Rochester, where she learned the truth.

Tambarlee Mercer: "I have sarcoma and of all cancers sarcoma is 1-percent of all cancer and mine affected blood vessels."

David Mercer: "This isn't how we planned to finish our lives we planned to grow old together."

Tami's daughter has planned a benefit for her on November 5th at the VFW.

The family is hoping the money will help to pay for the thousands of dollars in medical bill they've received.

Mercer was told only 150 people in the world had what she had.The cancer was essentially strangling her lungs. The only cure was to remove it. She did and thought she was cured. But the cancer returned every year. She's gone through chemo, radiation, and 11 surgeries, including the most recent where she had her one lung removed.

David Mercer: "Its very emotional something I'm not used to."

Her Husband David has been by her side for the past 4 years. He says its their three kids who they really worry about.

David Mercer " I tried to be honest with them but I think they have a lot of emotional issues."

Tambarlee Mercer: "You think about all the things you stand to miss."

Tambarlee is back home recovering. She was told if comes back surgery may be out of the question and chemo and radiation won't work. She says she relies on her faith and hopes she wont have to face that decision.

Tambarlee Mercer: "Its been an eye opener, I've had to sit back and stop and appreciate what i've had i don't think I've ever done that."