Angels for Amy

Can you imagine watching your first born turn 10 years old and two days later celebrating at Animal Kingdom not knowing you've begun a 22 year journey with cancer? That is exactly what Amy's mom has been through. Sheri discovered Amy's first tumor at Animal Kingdom by innocently pulling her daughter's hair back and away from her neck to cool her off in the June heat of Florida. It wasn't long after, Sheri and her husband, Frankie, would learn that their daughter had stage IV Hodgkin Lymphoma. Amy would spend the next three years in the hospital with Sheri near at the Ronald McDonald House while Frankie was home with newborn son, Austin. During this time, Amy received a bone marrow transplant and high doses of radiation and chemotherapy. Austin has not known a life without cancer. Amy has not known a life without cancer.

AMY MADE IT CANCER FREE FIVE YEARS!! That is the magic number in cancer remission. That is what you look for when doing annual tests. You want a clean scan in 5 years. Amy had a clean scan and was cancer free. In 2007, she graduated high school and was living a normal life. Loved the outdoors, close relationship with her family and GOD and cancer was behind her.

In 2008, Amy began feeling abdominal pain and asked Sheri to take her to the ER. Due to her history, she was admitted and after testing, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma of the abdominal lining. This was caused due to the high dose radiation and the scatter from when she was younger. Amy was given 6-12 months to live. It was during this time, she planned her entire funeral. Frankie and Sheri had to have the hard conversation of what were her daughter's final wishes. I cannot imagine this nightmare as a parent. Amy's faith shined during this time and she would tell Sheri that wasn't scared of dying because she knew she was going to heaven. Amy was sad because she knew the hurt that would be left behind. Miracles happen, prayers work and GOD hears because in November 2008, Amy was CANCER FREE again. PET scan showed her body was cancer free due to surgery, radiation and a treatment team that was doing improved cancer treatment for abdominal mesothelioma.

So, what does one do when you beat cancer twice? Find you soul mate, fall in love and marry in 90 days!! YEP!! That's what Amy and Jacob did. Jacob didn't even know he was proposing on Frankie and Sheri's anniversary when he asked Amy to marry him. Everything comes full circle. 90 days! When you know, you know! That was August 2019 to December 2019! By the way, if you are the nosey type go look at the wedding pictures because it was beautiful.

Back to Amy and this fundraiser, the cancer came back in February 2021. Mesothelioma is in her bronchial airway causing 50% obstruction. Amy is having great difficulty breathing and has had a pleural cath inserted to remove fluid as it build. Amy is beginning a 63 day treatment plan at Moffit tomorrow and the expenses will again mount up for out of pocket needs, gas and additional expenses as travel to Tampa is needed. A scooter to help Amy maneuver better has been ordered and to pay for this in full and alleviate any additional financial out of pocket is needed.

All help is appreciated. A kind memory shared is also appreciated. A favorite scripture or message of hope is always needed. Please if you can, donate. If you can't, please share. Thank you to all those that take the time to read, respond and react. Blessings and peace always, "B"