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UPDATE:

Amanda has gone home to be whole again with her grandmother, our father, Bruce (who loved her so), and the many others she grieved while she was with us. Family and close friends who were able to be present said goodbye after we received word from the neurologist that there was no chance of recovery. Her medical team did all they could for her and never were able to determine a precipitating event. Of course, this is maddening, we want answers. However, we are working to move to accept that we will never satiate those questions. Be patient with us during this time.

We are all heartbroken. Amanda loved so many, was there for so many, and was such a big part of the trials and joys for so many. There is a gaping hole in all our lives left by her absence.

We grieve for our loss, but we express and remind ourselves of the gratitude we have for that grief. Grief means we had something valuable to lose. This is a bitter time, but only because of the sweetness of knowing, loving, and being known and loved by Amanda.

In accordance with the generosity she embodied to all who knew her, she may be able to support a friend who is on a transplant list. Please pray along with us that it is a good match and the transplant is successful. It would be amazing to give light in these dark times.

Please also continue to pray for Amanda's family, especially her husband, mother, brother, aunt and uncle who were there by Brady's side through a extraordinarily difficult week. As we grieve, remember their grief, remember their loss, and pray for strength and comfort to find them and for God to guide them through what will be a very long dark road.

Thank you, friends, family, and community. Please continue to support in whatever way you can.

ORIGINAL POST:

Anyone who knows Amanda loves Amanda. Anyone who knows Brady loves Brady. These two are some of the best you’ll find. Right now, they are both fighting an uphill battle and need all the help they can get. 

We don’t have all the answers because she was away on business, but what we know is this: Amanda was found unresponsive in her hotel room and rushed to the hospital with low O2. She has been in the ICU since the morning of 8/26/2022. There have been many ups and downs since that time. She has pneumonia, a hole in her esophagus, persistent low O2 when not on a ventilator, and her brain has sustained substantial damage due to lack of oxygen. For the time being, she is stable, but her prognosis is poor. We are praying for a miracle (we believe this is possible) for her and Brady, and your prayers are desired by the whole family.

To all who know her, Amanda is a shoulder to bear some of the burdens when others need it. Amanda is always running from one place to the next to take someone’s dog for a walk because they are on chemo and can’t do it themselves, to care for someone’s cat while they are out of town, she always offers assistance in whatever way she can, even if it means a great deal of time, effort, and sacrifice. She knows what it means to rely on the help of others, and because of that, she helps above and beyond expectations. Amanda is a fighter. She is a 13-year survivor of a very rare cancer; she has overcome many physical and emotional challenges; she just doesn’t quit. Right now, Amanda is fighting the fight of her life. We are grateful she is strong because she certainly needs to be.

We know that, regardless of the outcome, there is a long journey ahead of us. Brady is known by all to be a kind, caring, loving, and selfless husband, friend, coworker, and anything else you may need. He has been by Amanda’s side as much as the hospital has allowed. He has prayed for and with her; he has stepped up to this impossible task with elegance and dignity. Brady is a strong man and an amazing husband, but medical bills, hospital stays, and all the possible outcomes of this situation will require more than he has the capacity to provide. We ask that you give what you are able to in support of whatever this long road ahead of Brady has in store. 

Thank you for supporting Brady and Amanda and the entire community of Armstrongs, Sanzaris, and all those who know and love them.