Amanda's Fight

My sister is an amazing person.  She’s loving, kind, thoughtful and always puts others first.  Over the past few years Amanda has been struggling with a rare disorder called Achalasia.  She’s already had to have two different surgeries which really haven’t seemed to make things better.  2016 has been an extremely rough year for Amanda.  She got laid off from her job in August but still had to work there for 7 months to help train the people her company was outsourcing to (those people didn’t end up catching on, so Amanda was recently offered her job back), she had to put down our childhood dog that was having several health issues, she and her boyfriend of 6 years broke up and she had to have surgery 11 days before Christmas (she spent several months fighting with the insurance company to get the surgery approved since Achalasia isn’t well known, it would be considered an “experimental” surgery).

Knowing that she was losing her job and insurance was running out she was trying to make sure she got all of her check-ups in. We have an incredibly strong family history of breast cancer, so, in October Amanda decided to get the genetic testing for the BRCA mutated gene done that we have been told about and encouraged from family members to get.  The day before her birthday she found out she tested positive for the gene.  Even though she knew there was a good possibility of having the gene, it was still shocking news.  With everything else that she had going on and with still wanting to have a family, she decided she’d address that once things eased up a bit.

A few weeks ago she noticed a lump in her breast after feeling a slight pain.  She decided to go get it checked out and after a doctor’s appointment, mammogram, breast MRI, ultrasound and biopsy she found out that she has breast cancer.  WHAT?!?!  She’s 31!!!  It still hasn’t completely set in yet.  The doctor said that it’s an “aggressive ductal carcinoma grade 3”, which means it’s fast spreading.  Back in October when they did the genetic testing they didn’t feel anything.  The doctor is recommending chemo which will take about 4 ½ months and a double mastectomy surgery since the likelyhood of getting a second cancer is high due to having the gene.

We found out today that having chemo could potentially jeopardize her chance of being able to have children which was very hard news to hear.  Going to a fertility doctor to potentially save some of her eggs is not only expensive but also is a process; one which would postpone chemo.  Lots of tough decisions need to be made fast.

She has a bone scan tomorrow and if insurance covers it, a PET scan on Monday.  She’ll be getting a mediport put in for chemo as well as a biopsy done on her lymphnodes to see if the cancer has spread.

This is just the beginning of (another) long journey and the financial burden is going to add unneeded stress to her plate, especially with not knowing how much she’ll be able to work.  Her portion of the MRI alone is $700. 

Amanda is not one to ask for help, but she most definitely needs it during this unexpected challenging time in her life.  Any support or help is appreciated.  I will post updates as we find out more.  Thank you for taking the time to read this.