Tamara Taggart Opens Up About Her Rare Medical Condition
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Image by Kyrani Kanavaros
Tamara Taggart says her health scare has given her a renewed appreciation for motherhood
After a serious health scare earlier this year, CTV news anchor Tamara Taggart has rallied back with a whole new perspective on life
On December 31, 2011, Tamara Taggart rang in the New Year the same way as most everyone else, hoping for a happy and healthy 2012.
Little did she know that just three days later she’d be on the verge of death.
At first, Tuesday, January 3, seemed a day like any other. The CTV news anchor was eager to return to work after a 10-day Christmas vacation, especially because the day marked the one-year anniversary of her promotion to anchor of CTV News at Six, a post the former weathercaster shares with colleague Mike Killeen. The only downer? She had a vicious headache.
Though a nuisance, she didn’t think it was a cause for concern.
“I’ve been in a few car accidents, so I’m used to getting headaches. I did all the usual things to get rid of it: I drank more coffee, I took Advil, I even got a shoulder massage. Nothing helped,” Taggart confides over a late-summer lunch at Coco et Olive eatery on Main Street.
“Under normal circumstances, I would have stayed home, but I wanted to be there for our anniversary.”
Putting mind over matter, she gamely carried on with her day. It was only when she saw that “even with full TV makeup on, I still looked like a ghost,” that she began to suspect this head-pounder was way beyond the norm.
Tamara Taggart's Health Takes a Turn for the Worst
Shortly before she was to take her seat at the anchor desk, she excused herself to go to the restroom, telling Killeen that she was feeling nauseated.
Concerned, he asked, “Should I call Dr. Rhonda [Low, CTV’s on-air medical expert]?”
If she’d had any clue what would happen next, Taggart would have readily agreed. Instead, the next thing she remembers is coming to on the cold restroom floor. Realizing she had fainted, she called for Dr. Low, who bundled her into a cab for home. The doctor suspected, as did Taggart, that she was merely suffering from a severe migraine.
At her East Vancouver home, which she shares with husband Dave Genn and their three young children, Taggart crawled into bed, where she would remain for the next 36 hours, attempting to sleep away the pain. Fortunately, she was able to sidestep her mothering duties for a while, enlisting the help of her family to take care of the rambunctious trio of tots, all under the age of six.
Tamara and her son Beckett (Image:
Kyrani Kanavaros)
By Thursday morning, the broadcaster, whose Type-A personality isn’t suited to being bedridden, decided to get up.
“I brought my phone with me into the washroom, just in case,” she says, hoping to avoid a repeat of the incident a few days prior. She would not be so lucky. Again, she fainted, and again she awoke on the floor. This time, Genn grew alarmed, convinced his wife of six years was suffering from more than just a migraine.
“There’s something’s seriously wrong,” he said, as he reached for the phone to dial 911.
When paramedics arrived, they found Taggart’s blood pressure alarmingly low, her heart rate dangerously high, and strapped her onto a stretcher for Vancouver General Hospital. Her last thought as she was carted into the ambulance was fear that her kids would be traumatized by the sight of their mother strapped onto a stretcher.
“Turns out, the girls were busy eating breakfast and Beckett [her five-year-old son] barely noticed, he was so fascinated by the fire truck and ambulance sirens,” she says wryly.
At the hospital, Taggart remembers an ER doctor telling her, “You have no blood in your body” and that she needed an immediate transfusion. Doctors concluded she was bleeding internally — but from where?
In fact, Taggart had been anemic for the past year, and had been receiving regular IV iron infusions to treat low hemoglobin levels. With this in mind, doctors ordered an endoscopy. When the endoscopy showed nothing amiss, a colonoscopy was scheduled for the next morning that would hopefully reveal the source of the bleeding.
“That night,” Taggart remarks, “went down as the worst of my life. I was lying there, sick, weak, not having eaten for days, not knowing what was wrong with me, and on top of it all, having to drink a laxative that tasted like salty chalk.”
When the colonoscopy revealed nothing out of the ordinary, doctors focused on the small intestine, the only area that couldn’t be reached by either of the procedures Taggart had just undergone. Taggart underwent a CT scan, and the results were shocking: She had a 10-centimetre tumour in her small intestine, a massive growth that had ruptured surrounding veins.
Without immediate surgery, she would have died. As she was wheeled into the operating room, her mother and husband at her side, she wondered if she would survive the surgery.
“It was just so surreal, I kept waiting for people to yell ‘cut!’” she recalls, “I felt like I was in a scene out of Grey’s Anatomy.”
Dealing with a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST)
Fortunately, surgery was successful, and Taggart spent the next nine days recuperating in hospital. Pathology tests showed that Taggart had a Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumour (GIST), a rare condition that afflicts approximately 15 out of every one million people, usually seniors.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumours, according to Dr. Charles Blanke, are a relatively rare type of cancer found in the digestive system, most often in the wall of the stomach. The cause of GIST is unknown, but those with some genetic disorders, including one called neurofibromatosis, are at increased risk of developing the disease. Advanced GISTs do not respond at all to standard chemotherapy and used to be uniformly fatal. However, targeted biologic therapies are extraordinarily successful in patients with GIST, halting cancer growth for years in the majority, and in some for more than a decade.
The big question on Taggart’s mind was: “Is it cancer?” The short answer, she says, is yes.
“All tumours are cancer,” she explains. “It’s just a matter of whether they’re benign or malignant.”
This type of cancer, however, doesn’t play by the usual rules. Unlike other forms of the illness, GISTs cannot always be neatly classified as benign or malignant. They are capable of metastasizing, however, and — equally worrisome — they are immune to the usual cancer interventions of chemotherapy and radiation.
During Taggart’s three months’ leave from CTV, she put her journalistic skills to work off camera, seeking out answers from experts on this puzzling condition. She was referred to Vancouver oncologist Dr. Charles Blanke, who informed her matter of factly, “Fourteen years ago you would have died.”
Fortunately, in 2002, a medication called Gleevec was found to significantly improve the prognosis of patients with GIST. The bad news: Taggart’s GIST was located in the small intestine, which has a greater recurrence rate than if it had been located elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.
She had other questions for Dr. Blanke, as well: “Is this going to be what kills me?” she asked.
“Not if I can help it,” he replied, before hedging: “In the short term, no. In the long term, I can’t definitively say.”
To reduce and hopefully eliminate the chance of recurrence, Taggart must take a daily course of medication for the next three years, possibly longer, and submit to ongoing CT scans. “What do I tell people?” she inquired further. “Do I have cancer? Do I not have cancer?”
Dr. Blanke answered, “You tell them, ‘I had a tumour that was removed to prevent it from spreading and now I’m taking medication to help prevent it from coming back.’ End of story.”
A New Lease on Life for Taggart
After a three-month hiatus, a healthy-looking Taggart is back in front of the camera (Image: Kyrani Kanavaros)
As traumatic as the experience has been, and as reluctant as she’s been to tell her story in public, Taggart admits there have been some positives. Like others who have had a brush with death, Taggart says she has been changed “in every way, shape and form.” For starters, she has a renewed appreciation for life, which has only reinforced her joys in motherhood.
“I savour every moment with the kids. I always did, but now I’m hyperaware of every moment. And I was always clear about what’s important to me, who’s important to me, but it’s crystal clear now. Crystal clear. I don’t care what people say or think about me anymore. I feel more grounded, more mature, wiser.”
She is also learning not to sweat the small stuff. “I don’t get worked up about little things like I used to. Things that used to make me crazy, I stop and think, ‘Tamara, what are you doing? It doesn’t matter.’ ”
As she explains, her experience really brought home the realization that “everyone is going through something, even if it isn’t always immediately apparent.”
Taggart herself, looking pink-cheeked and healthy, is a case in point. “I was always an empathetic person, but now I’m even more so,” she adds. “When I walk into that cancer agency, I just want to fix everyone.”
It’s a feeling that also spills over to her work.
“I feel more emotional when I’m covering stories about people with hardships,” she says. “When I report the news, and it’s usually bad, I always think, ‘Why can’t we just be nicer to each other?’ I look at these people who do horrible things to others and I just shake my head and think, ‘I know something you don’t: Life is precious.’ ”
Ultimately, the word that Taggart says best describes what she’s been through is “grateful.”
“I’m forever grateful to the people who saved my life,” she says. “It started with my husband, then the paramedics, and the ER doctor, the head doctor, the surgeon . . . and I’ll never forget the wonderful nurses who took care of me. They helped me get strong again so I could get home to my family.”
Originally published in TVW. For daily programming updates and on-screen Entertainment news, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletters, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.
Wow - what an incredibly scary, awful ordeal Tamara. Thank God you are on the mend. You always look so lovely and happy. We should chat sometime. I had a "little ordeal" of my own. Make sure gluten is not a problem.
All the best to you and thanks for the work you do delivering such a great news cast!
Patricia Chuey
Hi Tamara!
I just read your story...WOW...you, Dave & family did go through a very scarey time! And here you are back at work, looking great & still doing an amazing job! Way to go!!
You are an inspiration!!! I hope you continue to be blessed in the days to come...just as you have been blessed in the past ...
Best Wishes to Beautiful Tamara - a BC Success Story - No doubt!!!
Karen
OMG I didn't know how sick you were! Scary for such a young beautiful person. I sent the station a lot of emails querying your absence and they respected your privacy with "she is home resting and doing better, will be back soon!"
Glad you are well and back and hope it remains that way.
Great courage girl and keep positive! :-)
Jim
I didn't know about your health issue until just now. I had wondered why you weren't on TV earlier this year. I'm really sorry to hear about your scare, and I know firsthand what that feels like. In April of 2011 I collapsed on my kitchen floor. Luckily my husband was in the next room, heard me fall, and came running into the kitchen. He turned me over with one hand and with the other he was dialling 911. I did come to, the ambulance arrived quickly, and I was rushed to emergency. My heart had stopped, then started again, and it continued to do that while I was in the ER. The Dr. told my family that he had to immediately put in a temporary pacemaker or I would die. After he put it in, I was transferred to ICU until 3 days later, when I was taken to another hospital to have my permanent pacemaker put in. I'm happy to say that I've recovered fully. I hadn't yet reached my 65th birthday, and I would have been really upset if I hadn't made it to collect my pension! I, like you, have a new appreciation for life, my family and my friends. I wish you a long life, as you are much too young to be taken. May the medication work for you, and please continue to share your progress with your ardent fans.
I would have sent her to the emergency of the nearest hospital for tests.
Most people with migraine do not pass out on the floor.
Should take her pulse if no stethoscope or blood pressure monitor was available on site.
Look for rapid heart rate and irregular heart rate.
I would also like to add that infusing iron for a year without knowing the exact cause of anemia was not what i would have done.
Must locate the bleeding site or cause.
Could have treated the tumor a bit sooner then.
Dr Low, I have a headache and I am puking up blood?!?!
Dr Low replies....Take two aspirin, get plenty of rest and eat spinach and nuts!
Hi Tamara!
Nice to see you back on TV looking healthy and radiant as ever! It must have been a very scary time for you and your family!
I was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumourof the small intestine back in 2005. I had the tumour removed with a bowel resection. It will be 7 years on October 25th post surgery. I, like you take a medication to stop progression and control some symptoms I started getting 5 years after the fact. I found that I was fearful for the first little while after my surgery and hearing the words cancer. I have learned that fear is an emotion I ahve no place for in my life! I look to move onward and forward.
Last year in August 2011 I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast cancer and it will be 1 year October 20th post surgery ahving had a double mastectomy
Overall I am doing great and I know you will too! Keep smiling and know that you are not alone!
Take care and God Bless you!
Diana
A doctor sent her home with a severe headache??? That's often the best warning sign for a hemorrhagic stroke and time is critical at that point. Every person should know that -- the fact that a doctor doesn't is rather frightening. Fortunately, in this case, it was something else, and wonderful that Ms. Taggart was able to get the help she needed.
Thank you for sharing your story. You are courageous and caring. My nephew was in a Starbuck's line up with you many years back and he said to himself" That is Tamara and she is gorgeous. " Not only are you beautiful on the outside but the inside as well. I am so happy that we have kind, young people like you on our planet. You are lovely and so is your family. Keep the kind people close.
You are amazing Tamara, and strong. Keep positive people in your life close and the unkind ones far away.
Tamara,
you raise a good question when you note "why can't we just be nicer to each other". Perhaps a better question is, why aren't there more stories on the news about people being nice to each other?? It's been years since we've had cable for this very reason - it's sad when the stories about all the mean things humans do to each dominatrices the headlines.
As a reporter, who just shared a courageous and captivating story I'm hopeful that you will find ways to get those heart filled messages of hope and love out there! If all we see is filled with love, compassion, and acceptance than this is what we will know and will be directly reflected in a more fulfilled existence.
Maybe we'll even consider getting a tv again :)
All the best!
<3
I agree. There should be a segment in every newscast on the good things that are happening out there. years ago I was walking solemnly through Harbour Park Mall. A little boy, who couldn't have been more than 6, said smile, you'll feel better. My in head voice said "piss off, what do you know". But my heart voice said "what would it hurt"? So I smiled, and that 5 second interlude changed my day. Thanks kid, whomever you are.
Dear Tamara, thanks for sharing your story, may God bless u and your family with good health and happiness. I hope we all treasure how precious we are. Spend and spread more love and care to our loves one and people around us no matter how busy we are.
Wish u and your family all the best!!
Christine
Dear Tamara, I was shocked and saddened to hear that you have GIST. Our son Luke had GIST for 8 years. Most of those years were good and Gleevec was wonderful. The Gleevec failed after about 5 years and other treatments were tried.Luke had emergency surgery June 8th 2004 and diagnosed with GIST a week later at 24 years old. He passed away April 11th 2012 at 32. We had eight wonderful years with him. He married his sweetheart Renee August 13th 2011. My prayers are for you and your family, I know of many patients who have done very well with medication. In Lukes case, he lived more in 8 years then many do. My son started eating organic foods non GMO, as well and I do believe it helped. You are a treasure and we are all praying for you and your family. You will be the success we are all praying for. I am grateful for the care the Cancer Clinic and wonderful doctors and nurses gave Luke. None of use know what the future is, we must live each day at a time. You are an inspiration to all of us and loved by all. God never promised us that life would be easy, He said it would be worth it. Thank you for sharing your journey with us. It helps us all perhaps we can encourage donations to the GIST Foundation to find a cure. Love and best wishes Janice
my nephew is going through the exact thing now but it is in his stomach and he is even younger than you are. Thank you for coming forward with this information as it has given us hope and encouragment. I pray you have many happy years ahead of you and my nephwe also.
Tamara
You are an amazing/courageous individual.
I admire you not only for your intelligence but for your laughter,smile and humour.
Your story on your health scare brought a tear to my eye and I wish you nothing but good health!
Your family is very lucky to have you.
Be healty,
Lorna
Thanks for sharing our story with us! It does sometime take a health scare for us to remember and cherish what is truly important in life. Wishing you all the best, but everytime I see you speak on those shameless CTV plugs, I'm reminded of how you just don't have the experience or depth to be a news anchor. News shouldn't be fluffy human interest stories - like your health scare.
Why leave a comment at all? You must have some deep troubling problems in your own life! I can only pray that a illness doesn't touch someone that you love! If you are so bothered by Tamara......why watch? Yes... NEWS should have some fluffy human interest stories!
What a backhanded way to insult someone. Didn't you mother ever teach you "if you can't say something nice, keep it to yourself!".
My comment above was intended for the "Anonymous" person above who insulted Tamara about being a news anchor...
I am a breast cancer survivor and now know great it feels to have been given another opportunity to live life to its fullest. You are right that life has whole new meaning. I now even enjoy all the small things and helping people see how precious life is. Changed forever! Many blessings to you, Tamara!
Wow - life can be so cruel. I wish you nothing but good health and happy days. You look terrific!!!!! Love you Tamara.
Tamara, we wish you all the best. Enjoy those darling children and teach them to respect life and be grateful for everything. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing Tamara. All the best of health to you and your family.
Thanks Tamara
I live with a life threatening illness. I have always liked and respected you, now, even more than before your story has helped me see where I should be reminding myself, not to sweat the small stuff, not to get worked up about little things, and to stop and think, what am I doing? "It doesn’t matter." Going forward, I will remember your thoughts and repeat them to myself instead of letting things make me crazy that really in the context of life should not.
Thank you for sharing. You are a very special person. You will probably never know what a joy your are to many. Thank you , for being you. :)
We are all so glad that you are well again, Tamara.
Thank you so much for sharing. That should make us all stop and think and be grateful for all of the good things in life.
We wish you a long and healthy life.
Thank you for sharing. Having my own health issues and coming close to dying you do change your perspective on what is important. I think by sharing not only do you help others by letting them know they are not alone but you also help yourself by releasing the burden of carrying it around.
Bravo Tamara I wish you & your family good health & happiness.
Wishing you the best!
Thank you for sharing your story and so happy that you are feeling well again. I know what you mean about how much it changes your life and how you appreciate how precious life is - having had my own cancer scare totally changed how I looked at life and you are so right about wanting to fix everyone at the cancer center - I think most of us who have had this happen to us - a second chance, want and hope that everyone else there will.
I know that you will totally appreciate each and every day you have because life is so precious!!
Be well!!
Thank you bcliving.ca for sharing this story and a heartfelt thank you to Tamara Taggart for sharing with us.
It must be terribly difficult opening up about private health matters, but in my own personal opinion, it is a tremendous release, and only brings people together. The sharing of this story has only made my compassion increase one hundred fold. So thanks again for being brave and opening up.
Wishing you a swift recovery!
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