- J
- J
- J
September 2007 at age 26 , Amanda Buttram a happy, married, mother of 2 young girls suddenly started experiencing symptoms that led to the discovery of a golf ball sized Anaplastic Astrocytoma Cancer in center of her brain.
It required immediate and difficult surgery and subsequent lengthy rehab.
She suffers significant short term memory issues that have left her permanently disabled .
After 10 years of chemo. She seemed to have survived the unthinkable. Sept. 2017 her port was removed as chemo was seriously affecting her kidneys and all scans had shown no growth of residual tissue in brain, a decision to take a break was made.
On March 20th 2018 Amanda became suddenly very ill. Severe Stomach pain, yellowing of eyes, skin, terrible fatigue and weakness.
On March 23rd 2018 an emergency scan revealed obstructive jaundice due to a large tumor at her Pancreas. Her Mom crying Please God, no!
Bile was spilling into her bloodstream. A surgery to place a plastic stent was done immediately to aid in getting the bile out. A biopsy of fluid from around the tumor during that surgery confirmed the worst. Pancreatic Cancer.
The Stage is unknown at this time , by symptoms and current information, likely later stage.
She was sent to St. Louis to find out what would happen next, as Dr’s in local area cannot do the surgery she needs. Best hope was for a surgery called “Whipple procedure” to remove the tumor immediately. Very extensive and traumatic surgery.
Unfortunately the Dr. came with more bad news , he informed her that it could not be removed at this time due to its size and is located on a major artery.
He has ordered to replace the plastic stent with a metal stent to better aid long term , in helping keep bile out of bloodstream. The metal stent was put in May 2nd. Her bilirubin has to get below 2 to start the heavy chemo and possible radiation as her next step in hopes of shrinking tumor to a size he can remove. Her port removed just 7 months ago was put back in April 26 th 2018. There will also be continued chemo and radiation after surgery . The length of time is undetermined.
Amanda , her husband Jason and 2 daughters now 15 and 11 have fought this war a long time. The girls were so young when the brain cancer took so much out of their Mom .
Amanda’s sister Brandy , mother of 2 , was diagnosed just 2 years after Amanda’s brain cancer with a grapefruit sized Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma Cancer. She is a survivor after surgery and hard chemo but lives in chronic pain.
To say this entire family has been affected and has fought , is fighting the nightmare cancer is , is a gross understatement !
A Fundraiser has never been done before . A decision was made by family and friends eager to help in any way to start this fundraising campaign for Amanda.
The only insurance Amanda has is Medicare through her disability which is very limiting and very difficult.
There are already many medical bills and her care will be quite extensive .
Her family will be missing work to be with and help her. There are travel expenses, help for the girls etc.
The needs are numerous, will be lengthy and some are unknown at this time.
We are all praying and keeping hope for total healing.
Amanda needs to focus on fighting for her life. She has lost 30 lbs. already since March 23rd. She is very ill.
Whatever support anyone can offer is desperately needed. Whether it be financial , emotional, encouragement, prayers, meals for her family etc. More specific needs will be known as this journey progresses. Anything and everything will be sincerely appreciated.
Let’s all show Amanda- SHE WILL NOT FIGHT ALONE!!
Thank you for considering helping and blessing Amanda in any possible ways you may be able.
We will be updating on her care, treatments, results etc along the way. Please keep her in prayer and feel free to share the campaign .
It required immediate and difficult surgery and subsequent lengthy rehab.
She suffers significant short term memory issues that have left her permanently disabled .
After 10 years of chemo. She seemed to have survived the unthinkable. Sept. 2017 her port was removed as chemo was seriously affecting her kidneys and all scans had shown no growth of residual tissue in brain, a decision to take a break was made.
On March 20th 2018 Amanda became suddenly very ill. Severe Stomach pain, yellowing of eyes, skin, terrible fatigue and weakness.
On March 23rd 2018 an emergency scan revealed obstructive jaundice due to a large tumor at her Pancreas. Her Mom crying Please God, no!
Bile was spilling into her bloodstream. A surgery to place a plastic stent was done immediately to aid in getting the bile out. A biopsy of fluid from around the tumor during that surgery confirmed the worst. Pancreatic Cancer.
The Stage is unknown at this time , by symptoms and current information, likely later stage.
She was sent to St. Louis to find out what would happen next, as Dr’s in local area cannot do the surgery she needs. Best hope was for a surgery called “Whipple procedure” to remove the tumor immediately. Very extensive and traumatic surgery.
Unfortunately the Dr. came with more bad news , he informed her that it could not be removed at this time due to its size and is located on a major artery.
He has ordered to replace the plastic stent with a metal stent to better aid long term , in helping keep bile out of bloodstream. The metal stent was put in May 2nd. Her bilirubin has to get below 2 to start the heavy chemo and possible radiation as her next step in hopes of shrinking tumor to a size he can remove. Her port removed just 7 months ago was put back in April 26 th 2018. There will also be continued chemo and radiation after surgery . The length of time is undetermined.
Amanda , her husband Jason and 2 daughters now 15 and 11 have fought this war a long time. The girls were so young when the brain cancer took so much out of their Mom .
Amanda’s sister Brandy , mother of 2 , was diagnosed just 2 years after Amanda’s brain cancer with a grapefruit sized Epithelioid leiomyosarcoma Cancer. She is a survivor after surgery and hard chemo but lives in chronic pain.
To say this entire family has been affected and has fought , is fighting the nightmare cancer is , is a gross understatement !
A Fundraiser has never been done before . A decision was made by family and friends eager to help in any way to start this fundraising campaign for Amanda.
The only insurance Amanda has is Medicare through her disability which is very limiting and very difficult.
There are already many medical bills and her care will be quite extensive .
Her family will be missing work to be with and help her. There are travel expenses, help for the girls etc.
The needs are numerous, will be lengthy and some are unknown at this time.
We are all praying and keeping hope for total healing.
Amanda needs to focus on fighting for her life. She has lost 30 lbs. already since March 23rd. She is very ill.
Whatever support anyone can offer is desperately needed. Whether it be financial , emotional, encouragement, prayers, meals for her family etc. More specific needs will be known as this journey progresses. Anything and everything will be sincerely appreciated.
Let’s all show Amanda- SHE WILL NOT FIGHT ALONE!!
Thank you for considering helping and blessing Amanda in any possible ways you may be able.
We will be updating on her care, treatments, results etc along the way. Please keep her in prayer and feel free to share the campaign .