Dr. Amanda's Stage 4 and Needs Our Help
Donation protected
Time is our one truly non-renewable resource. Amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Amanda Leigh was working long clinic hours to keep up with patients’ needs and deftly juggling the myriad of moving parts (including laundry, groceries, cooking, cleaning and managing kids’ needs) that come with being the mom of two young children within a blended family.
In April 2020, less than 6 months ago, you can imagine her shock, fear and grief upon discovering that the nagging rib pain she’d had for only a few weeks was caused by an aggressive form of cancer - a sarcoma that began in her chest wall, filled her lungs with fluid and changed her life in an instant. Amanda quickly started chemotherapy; she was hospitalized and nearly died from treatment complications. Once stable enough to be discharged she returned to work, still seeing patients full-time, both a mix of dedication to her patients and of obligation to support her family and pay her medical insurance as the breadwinner of the family. She scheduled chemotherapy on Thursday evenings and would predictably suffer its impact for the next seven days while never missing work, then would repeat the chemo cycle. She showed up for her patients and for her family despite her symptoms, which included having fatigue so debilitating she had to lay down between patients, and was unable to drive herself home after work.
She has fought hard, largely in secret to maintain normalcy and privacy, to not give up, and because she didn’t want to ask for help. While Amanda’s cancer initially responded to therapy, she has experienced more fatigue, shortness of breath and pain. Her scans show her cancer is growing and she’s stage 4. She will be receiving palliative radiation for symptom control of her arm pain, and a trial of a new chemotherapy in an effort to control the growth of the cancer for as long as possible.
Without help, Amanda will need to continue to see patients, going daily for radiation in the mornings and to clinic afterwards where she will continue to have to lay down between patients and get rides home.
Those who love and support Amanda want to give her the gift of time. Time to spend whatever energy she has, on her boys and not her work. To help her pay her medical bills so she doesn’t have to worry about finances, and to help her boys in a future education fund.
Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to allow Amanda to stay at home, to preserve her energy for Brendan and Colin, and to spend all of her remaining moments with them.
Even though she’s private, in her own words about putting this request out for help, “If it offers me some time and some peace, I’m okay with it.”
Amanda is an incredibly warm, generous, and loving woman. She is a remarkable physician. Above all, she is an extraordinary wife, mother and friend.
Please join us in our effort to give Amanda time with her boys. Any donation is greatly appreciated, as is sharing this request.
Thank you.
In April 2020, less than 6 months ago, you can imagine her shock, fear and grief upon discovering that the nagging rib pain she’d had for only a few weeks was caused by an aggressive form of cancer - a sarcoma that began in her chest wall, filled her lungs with fluid and changed her life in an instant. Amanda quickly started chemotherapy; she was hospitalized and nearly died from treatment complications. Once stable enough to be discharged she returned to work, still seeing patients full-time, both a mix of dedication to her patients and of obligation to support her family and pay her medical insurance as the breadwinner of the family. She scheduled chemotherapy on Thursday evenings and would predictably suffer its impact for the next seven days while never missing work, then would repeat the chemo cycle. She showed up for her patients and for her family despite her symptoms, which included having fatigue so debilitating she had to lay down between patients, and was unable to drive herself home after work.
She has fought hard, largely in secret to maintain normalcy and privacy, to not give up, and because she didn’t want to ask for help. While Amanda’s cancer initially responded to therapy, she has experienced more fatigue, shortness of breath and pain. Her scans show her cancer is growing and she’s stage 4. She will be receiving palliative radiation for symptom control of her arm pain, and a trial of a new chemotherapy in an effort to control the growth of the cancer for as long as possible.
Without help, Amanda will need to continue to see patients, going daily for radiation in the mornings and to clinic afterwards where she will continue to have to lay down between patients and get rides home.
Those who love and support Amanda want to give her the gift of time. Time to spend whatever energy she has, on her boys and not her work. To help her pay her medical bills so she doesn’t have to worry about finances, and to help her boys in a future education fund.
Our goal is to raise the funds necessary to allow Amanda to stay at home, to preserve her energy for Brendan and Colin, and to spend all of her remaining moments with them.
Even though she’s private, in her own words about putting this request out for help, “If it offers me some time and some peace, I’m okay with it.”
Amanda is an incredibly warm, generous, and loving woman. She is a remarkable physician. Above all, she is an extraordinary wife, mother and friend.
Please join us in our effort to give Amanda time with her boys. Any donation is greatly appreciated, as is sharing this request.
Thank you.
Organizer and beneficiary
Rebecca Saunders
Organizer
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Amanda Bagby
Beneficiary
