Help Amanda As She Fights Uterine Cancer

My best friend Amanda is 42 years old and was recently diagnosed with high-grade uterine sarcoma, which is a rare and aggressive form of cancer. For those of you who know Amanda, you know that she is an extraordinary human being. She is loving, unbelievably strong, witty, and always puts her family and friends before herself. Amanda is a single mom of two girls (Layla, 11 and Kate, 6), who are her entire world.

Amanda's diagnosis came after a routine hysterectomy in March. She has since had a second surgery where they found that the cancer has spread. She is going to need a third surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible, during which she will undergo HIPEC (hyperthermal intraperitoneal chemotherapy); (layman’s terms: hot chemo bath into the abdominal cavity after removal of known cancer cells). This is going to require a 2-week inpatient hospital stay while she goes through intense recovery, and then there will be more recovery time at home.

Because of the many appointments and procedures, Amanda has been unable to work her full-time hours and has used up all her paid time off. She will not be able to work while in the hospital recovering from surgery, and with the intense chemo, it is uncertain how her recovery time at home will shape up and what her return-to-work will look like over the coming months. Short-term disability unfortunately is not available. With the everyday necessities of life, finances are getting tighter and tighter.

Amanda is one of the strongest, most selfless people I have ever known and is always there to give her love and support or the “shirt off her back” to anyone who needs it. We would like to send back some of that love and support to Amanda. All donations will be used to help pay Amanda's monthly expenses (rent, utilities, car insurance, gas, groceries, etc.). The goal is to take as much of the financial stress off her as possible, so she doesn't feel the pressure of having to choose between her recovery and providing financially for her family.

Any amount you can donate will be truly appreciated. Everything we can do to help and surround her with love is what is most important so she can focus on beating this and spending time with her precious girls. Please spread the word. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Here is the link to her Caring Bridge page. Feel free to follow for updates and to send her messages of love and encouragement. Please understand that there is a lot for her to deal with right now and she may not respond. Though there may not be a response, please know that every message is appreciated!

#AmandasAngels