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Amanda's #BattleReady Transplant Team

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Let me tell you about my best friend…


Most people find their friendmates early in life; I found mine in 2014. Amanda and I have the kind of friendship that allows each other to just be where they are. If it’s an all out rant or no words at all, it’s totally fine with us. It’s the kind of friendship humans crave. No expectations but all the support. The kind you know is gonna be there no matter the circumstances. She's an amazing nurse, animal activist, fighter of injustice and just all around good person, even in the middle where it counts. Kinda of a superhero..

Amanda has lived more life in her 38 years than most of us will live in all of our years. Anytime I think I’m having a rough go of things, I feel like I’m whining because no tribulation of mine compares to hers… 


Amanda was 17 when Ethan was born. His father passed away when he was 3 years old. I can personally attest to the hardship of being a young parent, but this is just heartbreaking. Amanda credits her family and her mother, Edith, for offering her love and support to provide a healthy life for Ethan. Then… Amanda was 26 when she was suddenly diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia and immediately hospitalized in January 2007. She spent the next 3 months in and out of ICU at Johnson City Medical Center undergoing chemotherapy. During that time she and Ethan were not allowed physical contact. He was able to be outside the glass doors to ICU and talk to her on a cellphone. He was only 9 years old. 


Amanda’s family cared for Ethan during her hospitalization and illness. When she was released from the hospital after intensive chemo she weighed 88lbs and wasn’t expected to live. She remained very sick for the next 2 years with several more hospitalizations and chemotherapy treatments. When her mother tragically passed unexpectedly in December 2007, Amanda lost her biggest supporter and Ethan lost a caregiver and grandmother.


Amanda’s father, Carl, is still a great source of love and family support for Amanda and Ethan, as well as Amanda’s three brothers. A network of love is so important for healing to occur and Amanda to finally beat Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Amanda’s stepmother, Sherry, was also a great support to Amanda and Ethan during her illness. Sherry is now fighting her own battle with metastatic breast cancer. She is severely ill and being cared for in Tennessee by Amanda’s father. Amanda’s dad has been unable to visit Amanda since she has been sick, but remains supportive and in close contact with her. 


By the time I met Amanda in 2014, she was fully recovered and had just finished her nursing education. Both of Amanda’s parents and step-parents were registered nurses within the Northeast TN healthcare community and she has great admiration of all of their work. She was destined to join the nursing ranks. We worked together at Johnson City Medical Center and became fast friends. She’s the only nurse I’ve seen revive 2 patients in asystole by using the “Hey!!!!” method. She is really good at Basic Life Support! LOL! In seriousness, she’s one of the best nurses I’ve worked with, both in clinical skill and bedside manner. She also has a special gift for psychiatric patients that I adore.


I had no idea at that time the hardships she had previously faced. We got to know each other and connected on music, beer, kids, tattoos and pets to name a short list. Always pretty chill with a bit of Irish camaraderie. We both have sassy Irish catholic grandmothers. They definitely make you tough!


Ethan graduated from high school in May 2017 and left for boot camp with the US Army. He has served our country on active duty ever since. Ethan dated Megan Boswell in high school and Evelyn was born in November 2018. He has provided support for Evelyn and was able to meet her when possible.


Being active enlisted is not an easy life to manage for an unwed father. As the child of an active duty enlisted sailor, I can speak to what it is like for your family member to be committed to serving our country when you can’t live with them. The US government and your service commitment comes first.


Amanda and her family have been proud and supportive of Ethan’s service and his role in Evelyn’s life and are devastated by her unexpected and tragic death; being robbed of a chance to know her and watch her grow. They are supportive of the investigation and want more than anything for justice to be served for Evelyn. 


With all Amanda has survived it was a joy for her to find a partner in Steve in 2016. She was completely happy and in love. 


And like any good best friend I was sad that she was moving to Boston in early spring 2018 to live with Steve, but also thrilled she was finding happiness and a life she deserves.


The move to Boston was a bit clandestine in that Amanda’s cancer returned in October 2019. There’s no better place to be than Boston for top notch cancer care at Dana Farber. Her transplant in December 2019 was successful and her weekly lab testing has been uneventful; exactly as you want it to be! Her team has been amazing, responsive and has a great plan in place to make Amanda well again. 


But the punches just keep coming for this family. It breaks my heart. Tragedy, illness and financial hardship have engulfed them in recent months. With Amanda’s family struggling with hardship in East TN, Steve has been her sole provider and support during her treatment and recovery.


Having a bone marrow transplant is like being born without an immune system. Her immunity has to be built slowly and with extreme caution. She has environmental restrictions, food restrictions and contact precautions. She is unable to do many things you would normally do for yourself because of the risk of illness is too great. With no one to help with the day to day tasks, Steve has been unable to work for several months in order to care for Amanda. 


Their money has run out and Amanda’s disability still has not been approved. This fundraiser is literally their only source of funding right now. They have had to petition the city because they cannot pay their property taxes to prevent municipal foreclosure. They had to provide a letter from Amanda’s doctor to keep their utilities from being turned off. All the while, the medical bills don’t stop showing up in the mailbox. These are the worst of times for this family and my heart just aches for them. 


She was so close to that first 100 days post-transplant and now her cancer may be back during the worst viral illness we have seen in a century. This family has been devastated and is in need of a community outpouring of love and support. 


Please. Please donate and share to help this family who has suffered so much to regain a bit of footing and at least help keep the lights on. Most of our lives are currently in limbo with our national and world crisis as we worry about our health, work, and livelihood; however, COMPASSION is the one thing keeping us sane and will be the glue that holds our communities together. 

Thank you,

Shalena, Amanda, & Steve 

#battleready #cancersucks #leukemiasurvivor #aml #amandasarmy #bonemarrowtransplant

Fundraising team (3)

Shalena Peterson
Organizer
Johnson City, TN
Erin Ferris
Team member
Stephen Pappas
Team member

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