Amy Collea Memorial Fund

Hi, my name is Wendy Botts. I'm a friend of the Collea family. Our daughter Elaina and Ava are best friends.

Amy was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells. These white blood cells are found in the bone marrow and produce antibodies to help your immune system fight infections.

Cancerous plasma cells produce abnormal proteins called M proteins. A high level of M proteins can damage your kidneys and weaken your immune system. These cancerous cells also replace normal cells with tumors, usually in the bone marrow. This can cause bone damage and lead to bone pain or fractures.

Amy started Chemo this past week. She's already dealing with significant health issues from the cancer. She's developed Congestive Heart Failure and her kidneys aren't functioning properly.

The following is a recent post of Amy's regarding her cancer diagnoses;

The hardest 3 words I have ever said!

Posting my thoughts/ feelings/anything on facebook is not me. I have been doing a lot of reflection on my life, and the biggest thing that stands out is the saying “hindsight is 20/20”. For the longest time I had no idea what that even meant, but I do now!! If only I had the “flux capacitor” and the “Delorean time machine” from “Back to the Future”, could I change my past and present? But I would also change me! I have become the person I am today because of my past, and I have to say that it has been a very difficult journey. I have been knocked down by life more times than I can count, but I have always gotten back up and grew a bit stronger than I was before. Being a constant survivor takes its toll on persons psyche! I grew up in very dysfunctional family and the only person I could ever count on was myself. I sought after love in all the wrong places, I have been down the rabbit hole and beyond, I have been bullied and was a bully. But none of those behaviors made me feel happy. I hated everything about myself until one day I realized that this is no way to live. I found talents I never thought I had and gave them freely to help others. I am still taking 2 steps forward and 3 steps back but I just keep on going. I have learned that I need to surround myself with good friends and trust in God. I have 4 beautiful children and so much to look forward to seeing them all become independent thriving adults. A little over a month ago I had to say the 3 most hardest words you could ever say to someone, especially your children! I can say them in my head and feel fine but the minute they come out of my mouth and are heard everything changes. Speaking the words makes it real and hearing them being spoken from my mouth is surreal.

“I HAVE CANCER! “

Being faced with ones own mortality is really a gut wrenching experience. Will the chemotherapy work, will I be here to see my twins graduate from High School? Do I have what it takes to survive this???

OF COURSE I DO!!!

Even though the type of cancer I have is not curable, It is treatable! And this cancer has not met me, like I said before I am a survivor!

So to everyone, I love you all and live today with a purpose because tomorrow is not guaranteed!❤️❤️

Amy is a fiercely independent woman and not one to ask others for help. She has 4 beautiful kids, 3 still at home dependant on her. Amy is currently unable to work and is inpatient in the hospital with heart and kidney issues.

Amy has a long road ahead of her. Worrying about how she's going to pay for bills and how she'll she will provide for her kids is something we as her friends and family can help with.

Please consider making a donation of any amount as Amy takes on the fight of her life!