Amy's Road to Health and Happiness
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"We turn to God for help when our foundations are shaking, only to learn that it is God who is shaking them." ~Charles C. West
My name is Tim Lucas and I am the younger brother to Amy Judd (Lucas). I created this page so I can share her recent life experiences, in hopes we may be able to lend a helping hand in her time of need. If you would be so kind and lend me a few minutes, as to better understand Amy’s road to improved health and enriched happiness.
In late December of 2013, Amy & Matt Judd went to the hospital for what they thought would be a normal and healthy birthing of their soon to be son, Lucas. She was past her due date, so her doctors induced labor. As a family, we couldn’t have been more excited to meet the newest member of the family. Much to everyone's surprise and dismay, there were several complications that occurred during the birthing process and Amy inevitably was in labor for nearly 22 hours. At times, both Amy and Lucas’ health were in danger. All we could do at the time was pray and be hopeful that they were both in God’s watchful hands. Our prayers were answered and beautiful baby Lucas who we have all come to know and love was born on Friday the 13th. The complications of Lucas’ birth; however, led Amy to contract a gram-negative rod infection. Due to this infection, the doctors ordered a CT scan and put her on a regiment of antibiotics for a few weeks. After the results came back, the doctors discovered some suspicious growths on her pancreas and called for further testing.
At the time, all we could think about was cancer, cancer, and more cancer. While the news was better than we hoped, it was still filled with anxiety and further hardship. As it turns out, those growths were at the precancerous state and had not yet become invasive. The doctors determined Amy had precancerous mucinous cystic neoplasm on the tail of her pancreas. In turn, Amy will be undergoing a very specialized surgery on the morning of January 9th. The doctors will be performing a specialized surgery called a pancreatectomy with splenectomy where they will remove the tail of her pancreas along with her entire spleen. The operation itself will take several hours and she will be hospitalized for 6-8 days followed by a rehabilitation stay of 5-7 days. She will then need to finish recovery at home for 8-10 weeks. Amy will have to be very mindful of her immune system for the rest of her life. The spleen plays an integral role in the body’s ability to fight off bacteria that causes severe pneumonia, meningitis, influenza, etc.
After writing this, I cannot help but be thankful for the little miracle that is baby Lucas. If it wasn’t for the multitude of complications that occurred during his birth, Amy would have never known about the growths on her pancreas. If left untreated, those growths would have surely become invasive and ultimately taken Amy’s life one day. Lucas has proven to be a little bundle of joy and he fills every room he enters with love and laughter. However, it wasn’t until very recently that I realized he provided something farther greater. Lucas turned out to be Amy’s little guardian angel and for that I will forever be grateful.
With all this said, one can imagine the hardships that are ahead of Amy and Matt. This will be immensely straining both financially and emotionally. Not only will Amy be out of work for nearly 10 weeks, but Matt will need to take considerable time off of work to help Amy recover. Let us not forget that during all of this, they will both need to continue being parents to little Lucas as well. So I must ask anyone and everyone who is able, please donate whatever you can to this fund. No single dollar is too little. If monetary means are not possible for you, please feel free to contact me and see what else can be done to help them during their time of need. All who know Amy, know there is little she wouldn’t do for those she cares about. Whether it’s a friend, a child in her classroom, a family member in need, or a stranger she just met Amy is always willing and ready to help those around her. Now it’s our turn to help her and her family. With love and respect, I thank all of you who are taking the time to read this and especially those who are able to help.
Sincerely,
Tim Lucas (Amy's not so little brother)
My name is Tim Lucas and I am the younger brother to Amy Judd (Lucas). I created this page so I can share her recent life experiences, in hopes we may be able to lend a helping hand in her time of need. If you would be so kind and lend me a few minutes, as to better understand Amy’s road to improved health and enriched happiness.
In late December of 2013, Amy & Matt Judd went to the hospital for what they thought would be a normal and healthy birthing of their soon to be son, Lucas. She was past her due date, so her doctors induced labor. As a family, we couldn’t have been more excited to meet the newest member of the family. Much to everyone's surprise and dismay, there were several complications that occurred during the birthing process and Amy inevitably was in labor for nearly 22 hours. At times, both Amy and Lucas’ health were in danger. All we could do at the time was pray and be hopeful that they were both in God’s watchful hands. Our prayers were answered and beautiful baby Lucas who we have all come to know and love was born on Friday the 13th. The complications of Lucas’ birth; however, led Amy to contract a gram-negative rod infection. Due to this infection, the doctors ordered a CT scan and put her on a regiment of antibiotics for a few weeks. After the results came back, the doctors discovered some suspicious growths on her pancreas and called for further testing.
At the time, all we could think about was cancer, cancer, and more cancer. While the news was better than we hoped, it was still filled with anxiety and further hardship. As it turns out, those growths were at the precancerous state and had not yet become invasive. The doctors determined Amy had precancerous mucinous cystic neoplasm on the tail of her pancreas. In turn, Amy will be undergoing a very specialized surgery on the morning of January 9th. The doctors will be performing a specialized surgery called a pancreatectomy with splenectomy where they will remove the tail of her pancreas along with her entire spleen. The operation itself will take several hours and she will be hospitalized for 6-8 days followed by a rehabilitation stay of 5-7 days. She will then need to finish recovery at home for 8-10 weeks. Amy will have to be very mindful of her immune system for the rest of her life. The spleen plays an integral role in the body’s ability to fight off bacteria that causes severe pneumonia, meningitis, influenza, etc.
After writing this, I cannot help but be thankful for the little miracle that is baby Lucas. If it wasn’t for the multitude of complications that occurred during his birth, Amy would have never known about the growths on her pancreas. If left untreated, those growths would have surely become invasive and ultimately taken Amy’s life one day. Lucas has proven to be a little bundle of joy and he fills every room he enters with love and laughter. However, it wasn’t until very recently that I realized he provided something farther greater. Lucas turned out to be Amy’s little guardian angel and for that I will forever be grateful.
With all this said, one can imagine the hardships that are ahead of Amy and Matt. This will be immensely straining both financially and emotionally. Not only will Amy be out of work for nearly 10 weeks, but Matt will need to take considerable time off of work to help Amy recover. Let us not forget that during all of this, they will both need to continue being parents to little Lucas as well. So I must ask anyone and everyone who is able, please donate whatever you can to this fund. No single dollar is too little. If monetary means are not possible for you, please feel free to contact me and see what else can be done to help them during their time of need. All who know Amy, know there is little she wouldn’t do for those she cares about. Whether it’s a friend, a child in her classroom, a family member in need, or a stranger she just met Amy is always willing and ready to help those around her. Now it’s our turn to help her and her family. With love and respect, I thank all of you who are taking the time to read this and especially those who are able to help.
Sincerely,
Tim Lucas (Amy's not so little brother)
Organizer
Timothy John
Organizer
Villa Park, IL
