Quan

Tamika Lynn Felder and I have been friends as long as I can remember using the word “friend”—which began middle school. Tamika and I have a small difference in opinion as far as when we actually became friends. She contends that we were friends even prior to middle school.

The truth of the matter is…our friendship probably began somewhere in the middle. We have been a part of each others life for so long and been through so much together. We did the typical girl things in middle school like talking on the phone, chatting about boys, and shopping…well really watching Mika shop. I have to admit that Tamika was a bit of a shopaholic.

Anyone that knew Tamika knew that she was unbelievably close to her father and epitomized the slogan “daddy’s girl”. Our lives were forever changed when Tamika’s father died of colon cancer in 1992. This was the summer before we were to graduate from high school. This was the first time in our friendship that we truly leaned on each other for support. Even though T.J. was Tamika’s father, he was almost like a father to me. After this tragic event, Tamika and I went our separate ways to college. Our careers lead us in different directions. But, our friendship always remained intact.

We have definitely had our share of battles, but never in a million years did I think we would ever face the battle of the big “C” word (CANCER)!! I remember Tamika’s phone call that she made to me years ago like it was yesterday. When she told me that she had cervical cancer I had an unbelievable array of emotions. I felt shocked, numb, disbelief, somewhat fearful, but also hopeful. You have to know Tamika Lynn Felder to know that she is feisty, spirited, and very determined in anything that she does in life. No one could ever keep Tamika down. This is why I could not believe this was happening to her. There was one thing that I knew I had to do: be there for my best friend!! I knew that I had to be strong for her no matter how scared I was. As I told her goodbye right before her surgery, I remember thinking to myself that Tamika’s life was going to be forever changed after her hysterectomy. After the surgery, Tamika had a whole range of emotions and symptoms. The one thing that I had to understand is that Tamika had been through so much. As a friend, I wanted to help in any way that I could to make her life a little bit easier. I think this is so important during a friendship…to be there for each other no matter what!! More than anything, Tamika taught me to be inspired and hopeful for any situation that may arise in life. I am so proud of Tamika for helping others to understand this process and educate at the same time. She will probably never know the positive impact that she has made in people’s lives. I love her and am so privileged to have her as a friend! May she continue to be a blessing to everyone she comes in contact with.

Quan Myers
Tamika’s BFF