Brain Surgery Recovery & Support for Amanda
Donation protected
- - - Settle in through the end; it's a bit long but worth it- - -
As many of you know, Amanda has been fighting a brain tumor for the last several years. In 2005, doctors found a benign astrocytoma in her right temporal lobe. After two surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, and 10 years of fighting, doctors found that the tumor had begun to grow again. She spent 2018 fighting the growth through MORE monthly chemo therapy treatments, diligent prayer and faith, along with lifestyle changes and natural therapies.
After all of those efforts, doctors determined that the growth was continuing and significant enough to treat surgically.
Amanda endured her third brain surgery on November 19, 2018, the day after her 35th birthday. She was in surgery for 5 hours, the neurosurgery ICU for two days and the general hospital for 2 more days. During her stay, she had around the clock care and MRI's.
The neurosurgeon was only able to remove 95% of the tumor because it is located very close to her optic nerve. To remove the last 5% would be to ruin Amanda's vision, or to take it completely. The tissue that was removed is being tested currently to determine the type of tumor that has grown back. The possibility of it being cancerous has not been eliminated.
Also, with 5% remaining, the next steps are still unknown. The future will hold more follow up visits with her neurosurgeon and oncologist, including multiple MRI's to track her progress.
This surgery and hospital stay alone is enough to start a medical cost campaign, but on top of that, Amanda has two little girls and a husband at home. She serves her church and her community faithfully as a teacher.
She will be out of work for about 12 weeks to fully recover. She does not qualify for short term disability, which means she does not receive any reimbursement of her paycheck during her time out. She is currently waiting to hear if she will qualify for any sick bank leave reimbursement.
All of this to say, we all know how much Amanda gives to each of us. She faces each day with a strength and confidence that most of us pray and wish for. Even in getting the news that she would have to go through a THIRD brain surgery, her concern immediately turned to her family and community.
Over the last weeks, I have heard numerous people offer their prayers, which we are extremely thankful for! We know and believe the Lord heard them and has His hand over Amanda, the doctors and her family. I have also heard many people say, "Let us know how we can help!!" Again, we are so thankful for the generous outreach!
My call to you is to offer help in this very tangible way; let's not let looming medical costs cast a shadow over their Christmas.
Please continue to pray for Amanda and her family as they recover and wait for the next steps with the last 5% of her tumor. But also, please consider helping in a monetary way so the stress of this entire situation can rest easier on Amanda's shoulders, as she continues to carry herself with great strength and confidence in what the Lord is doing in her and her families life!
We thank you and we love you!!
Amanda's verse:: Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
As many of you know, Amanda has been fighting a brain tumor for the last several years. In 2005, doctors found a benign astrocytoma in her right temporal lobe. After two surgeries, chemotherapy treatments, and 10 years of fighting, doctors found that the tumor had begun to grow again. She spent 2018 fighting the growth through MORE monthly chemo therapy treatments, diligent prayer and faith, along with lifestyle changes and natural therapies.
After all of those efforts, doctors determined that the growth was continuing and significant enough to treat surgically.
Amanda endured her third brain surgery on November 19, 2018, the day after her 35th birthday. She was in surgery for 5 hours, the neurosurgery ICU for two days and the general hospital for 2 more days. During her stay, she had around the clock care and MRI's.
The neurosurgeon was only able to remove 95% of the tumor because it is located very close to her optic nerve. To remove the last 5% would be to ruin Amanda's vision, or to take it completely. The tissue that was removed is being tested currently to determine the type of tumor that has grown back. The possibility of it being cancerous has not been eliminated.
Also, with 5% remaining, the next steps are still unknown. The future will hold more follow up visits with her neurosurgeon and oncologist, including multiple MRI's to track her progress.
This surgery and hospital stay alone is enough to start a medical cost campaign, but on top of that, Amanda has two little girls and a husband at home. She serves her church and her community faithfully as a teacher.
She will be out of work for about 12 weeks to fully recover. She does not qualify for short term disability, which means she does not receive any reimbursement of her paycheck during her time out. She is currently waiting to hear if she will qualify for any sick bank leave reimbursement.
All of this to say, we all know how much Amanda gives to each of us. She faces each day with a strength and confidence that most of us pray and wish for. Even in getting the news that she would have to go through a THIRD brain surgery, her concern immediately turned to her family and community.
Over the last weeks, I have heard numerous people offer their prayers, which we are extremely thankful for! We know and believe the Lord heard them and has His hand over Amanda, the doctors and her family. I have also heard many people say, "Let us know how we can help!!" Again, we are so thankful for the generous outreach!
My call to you is to offer help in this very tangible way; let's not let looming medical costs cast a shadow over their Christmas.
Please continue to pray for Amanda and her family as they recover and wait for the next steps with the last 5% of her tumor. But also, please consider helping in a monetary way so the stress of this entire situation can rest easier on Amanda's shoulders, as she continues to carry herself with great strength and confidence in what the Lord is doing in her and her families life!
We thank you and we love you!!
Amanda's verse:: Isaiah 41:10 - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Organizer and beneficiary
Ashley Ragsdale
Organizer
North Richland Hills, TX
Amanda Kerce
Beneficiary
