Reed Family: Fight Cancer fund for Amanda

Faith Over Fear: Help Amanda in her fight against brain cancer

In the midst of their everyday routines, Amanda and Jeff were recently going about the everyday joys and challenges of life. Unbeknownst to them, a sudden disruption was quietly weaving its way into the fabric of their seemingly regular days. In the month leading up to Amanda’s diagnosis she experienced an increased frequency of headaches, some of which would affect her vision. When they started happening more, it was decided to have things ‘checked out’ and that is when Amanda and Jeff heard the phrase that has and will forever change their lives….’there is a mass.’ At 34 years old with two nearly 4- and 2-year-old daughters, this is news that a family is never prepared for or ready to hear. Immediately they were transferred to the Neuro ICU at St Lukes Medical Center where further work up and a plan for surgery occurred. Two days later Amanda underwent a craniotomy to remove as much of the tumor as they could. The other devastating news that was received was that a full resection was just not possible. The tumor had already invaded some of the surrounding brain tissue and the corpus callosum, which connects the right and left side of the brain together.

The final pathology revealed a grade III Astrocytoma, and that it was a primary brain tumor, meaning, that it started in the brain versus traveling to the brain and that it has some more aggressive tendencies. This tumor was located in the left frontal lobe, making working memory, problem solving, and multi-step direction activities more difficult. During second opinion visits with Northwestern, UW Health, and Mayo it was decided that an additional craniotomy to remove more of the tumor would be the next step. Amanda and Jeff have decided to complete this second surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Surgery is scheduled for 11/1. This was not a decision that was made lightly because surgery of any kind poses its own risks. However, at the advice of their care teams, this decision will give Amanda the best prognosis possible. Following this second tumor resection and brief healing period, Amanda will then complete 6 weeks of radiation and chemotherapy. Amanda will continue to be off of work to focus on her treatment and ongoing recovery.

Jeff and Amanda have been told by their care teams that this tumor is currently not ‘curable.’ However…… Amanda, her family, and everyone that supports her is ready for the battle to fight and overcome this tumor, this diagnosis, and to turn this into a manageable disease until a cure can be achieved.

Our mission is to ensure Amanda receives every treatment necessary and to ease the financial burden for their family, allowing them to focus on Amanda healing and getting the quality care and support she needs.. Your contribution, no matter how large or small, will help ease the financial burden on the Reed family, and will contribute to helping Amanda fight for her life! Please join us in choosing……Faith over fear…..calm over chaos.

On the right is the preoperative MRI showing the tumor and all of the swelling. The picture on the left was the day after surgery showing the post-surgical resection.

This view was from a follow up MRI showing shadowy areas where the tumor is still present and the reason the care teams recommended a follow up procedure.

The Reed Family