Mandy’s Final Fight with Pancreatic Cancer

Our friend, and my dear baby sister, Amanda “Mandy” was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June of 2022. Last summer, she went to the emergency room with stomach pains in what she thought was her gallbladder, but instead found out she had a mass on her pancreas blocking her bile duct and making her sick. She spent the next week in the hospital having 2 procedures done to biopsy the mass and stents placed to relieve her bile duct and liver. On June 27th a biopsy revealed pancreatic cancer. She describes this as "one of the worst nights of my life." In miraculous fashion, she was referred to a renowned surgeon who specialized in Whipple Procedures, a complex operation involving many critical organs that are all needed to work together. On July 8th she underwent a marathon 10-hour major surgery that involved removing sections of many organs. She spent the next week in the hospital hooked up to every machine you could think of and feeling like she had to learn to walk again. Recovery from this was nothing short of grueling. Her biopsy came back affirming they got all the tumor and only 1 out of 15 lymph nodes had cancer, so there was relief this was found early. Ready to fight and optimistic, a couple weeks later she began hard-hitting chemotherapy and charted a course known to only the bravest warriors. For a few months her scans were clean. However, her January 2023 scan appeared concerning as there were possible lesions on her liver. On Valentine’s Day 2023 an MRI confirmed 4 liver lesions. Although they were small, it still meant that her Stage II cancer had now moved to Stage IV. Obviously, not the news that any of us wanted to hear. Her next course of action was another three months on two new chemo drugs. And thus, the new round began. Then just a couple weeks ago, she began having some very troubling abdominal pain and found herself in the ER. While in the hospital an ordered CT scan revealed that her tumors were progressing which meant her new chemo treatment wasn't working. Her doctor has now referred her to Clinical Research Trials as her best option to continue her fight. Despite this major fork in the road, her spirits remain bright and hopeful. Mandy has begun the process to learn all she can and discover appropriate trials for her to begin. Mandy continues to spend time with her beloved husband and best friend, Jason and homeschools her 3 beautiful children who are in 5th (Fallon), 7th (Bentley) and 12th grade (Olivia). She is a relentless warrior to say the least! On her hardest days she reminds herself, that her kids and best friend are why she "willingly and happily" will go into battle to get to live a happy and long life with them. All funds raised will be used to defray her medical and travel-related expenses, and not have to think twice as she may be referred to pursue clinical trials in some out of state/country renowned centers. Your support means the world to her family as well as my family, as she enters this exploratory chapter of her fight against Pancreatic Cancer. Thank you for visiting this site and for your support!