Amanda Arneson Medical Bills Fundraiser

For those of you that do not know me, my name is Amanda, and I am known in this community for my greatest accompaniments…my three children. Some of you know me through my job, as a neighbor, as a sports parent, volunteer, friend, family…or you may not know me at all. I am 45 years old. I moved to West Seattle in 2008 from Missoula, Montana…and I quickly decided that Seattle was not the place I was going to call “home” in the PNW. We then found a lovely home near lake Roesiger in 2011, and it was then that we became immersed in this amazing community. I am forever thankful that the Lord brought us here. In 2017 I knew something wasn’t right. I went to doctors, tried to explain to my husband, friends and family what I was feeling…and no one could figure it out. I pleaded with numerous doctors to help me…cried a few times when it seemed as though they would…only to be told, “Your just a tired mom of three, try to get some rest.” Sure…let me go home and let my nanny know that I need to rest. LOL. (BTW, this is funny because I do not have a nanny). In December of 2019 the progression of what was developing could not be ignored, I once again sought medical help …and this time, it was a life changing appointment. This new doctor listened, ran the tests, review previous labs and by 7am the following morning, I was referred to Swedish Cancer Institute. To sum it up I then went through a gauntlet of testing and bone marrow biopsy’s and received what has been an evolving diagnosis of a Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Blood Cancer with a rare mutation. This driver mutation has advanced the cancer into Myelofibrosis, and ultimately I am now facing Myelofibrosis and Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia. This (if you can believe it) is the simple breakdown. I am on an oral and injectable (experimental) chemo at this time. The team at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance is hopeful that this “experimental” treatment has the potential to be disease modifying…and we are praying they are right. With that said, it is costly and not without major down sides. I am additionally trying to approach a return to health with holistic methods…which sadly, insurance does not cover. I believe in both western and naturopathic approaches, but this does not come cheap. I am still working full time, which surprises many…but due to the time I took off to raise my babies when they were young, I do not qualify for medical disability…even though I have worked almost my entire life…to say the system is broken is an understatement. I am moving forward with the self rhetoric that belief shifts biology. My internal dialog must be one of healing…and this will shift the biology of the disease progression….or at least that is the theory. Many people might believe that this is nonsense, lol, but the saying “Mind over matter” came from somewhere, and I deeply believe that the mind is the most powerful weapon we have against physical and metal adversity. In addition to this tactic, I believe in the power of prayer, and thank everyone for their prayers and support. Accepting help has always been difficult one for me, and I have battled with accepting it now more than ever. My brother once said “With community awareness…is lack of privacy.” And I really heard that. Due to the intense fear that my children would hear unfiltered information, or information that is not accurate, from a deep sense of pride, the desire to not “owe” anyone, to the soul crushing idea of unbridled vulnerability and a desperate need to protect myself from the onslaught of advice, and stories that always begin with “I knew someone battling cancer, and….” I have held my cards close to my chest, and remained as “private” as possible on this journey. I am now at a place of peace with accepting help, and I realize that my stubborn nature is not benefitting our situation. With that said, I hope that discretion, kindness, respect for my decisions during this time of great difficulty is deeply respected. I appreciate everyone for their positivity, love and light, laughter and tears…and most of all for creating a community where the love is palpable and felt at great depths. I want to be very transparent with what donations would be used for, and thank you in advance for the generosity and support. Donations will be used for alternative and holistic care, supplements, medical bills, medications, paying down bills to enable me to stop working as the disease progresses, counseling and nutritional support. Psalm 30:2 - Lord my God, I called upon for help, and you healed me.