Amy Lynn Pierro

If you are reading this page, then you likely know my sister, Amy Lynn. You may remember her from high school or have met her in the course of her highly successful career in business and fitness. Unfortunately, life has taken her down a current path neither she nor anyone close to her could ever imagine or want to imagine.

Shortly after the holidays in December 2021, Amy called me with the worst news I have received in my life to this day. Amy was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. The initial prognosis was grim, to say the least. I did not hear the words of the oncologist firsthand, yet I will never forget what was relayed to me. “Amy, your cancer is everywhere,” as he explained that it had spread to her liver, stomach and likely elsewhere. She was told that she had a 30% chance of living with this disease, and there was no cure.

At the time, she resided in Boca Raton, Florida. In light of the circumstances, Amy’s oncologist recommended that she move closer to her family in Tampa Bay and Sarasota. I knew this was code-speak for what I could not bear to think.

With the help of friends and family, Amy relocated to St. Petersburg. She also commenced treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Upon consult with the folks at Moffitt, the initial dark moments of despair gave way to a modicum of hope which motivated Amy to fight.

Though her new treating oncologist confirmed the presence of a sizable cancerous tumor in her colon and malignancy in her liver, he found no indication that the cancer had spread to other organs. Nonetheless, the prescribed treatment foretold a journey to hell with no guarantee of coming back. Amy was informed that she would have to undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy, surgery to remove the tumor from her liver, followed by additional rounds of chemo, plus intensive radiation, and ultimately a life-changing surgery. In short, the battle had just begun.

Before I detail her battle with stage 4 cancer and the uncertain journey she continues to face, I want you to know more about Amy so you can understand why it was so difficult for her to allow me to post this page and tell her story.

Amy and I grew up together in Andover, Massachusetts. We began as typical antagonistic siblings but grew to greatly appreciate each other. As children, we shared life’s happiest moments and leaned on each other in times of turmoil.

By the time she was five years old, Amy was on the soccer field, scoring goals and flying down the ski slopes trailing close behind me despite a three-year age gap. At age 9, she was competing as an accomplished equestrian. In high school, Amy continued her athletic exploits. She not only made the varsity soccer team, but her teammates also selected her to lead them as their captain. Determination and confidence were never lacking in her.

Adulthood would eventually separate us geographically, but we would always remain close at heart. Amy began her career in sales in the northeast. However, in 2006, she took a leap of faith when she moved to south Florida to continue her professional journey. My family and I were so happy to finally have her down here in Florida, closer to us, albeit on opposite sides of the state.

In Florida, Amy entered the world of the fitness industry and landed a position with one of the top-selling supplement companies. She thrived in her role with the company. I was in awe of her success and watched her become unstoppable in all aspects of her business.

Amy was not just satisfied with making her mark as a sales professional in the fitness industry. In 2010, Amy stepped out on stage for the first time as a Figure NPC athlete. From there, she started working with photographers, and her modeling came to life as a side project. Well, that “side project” led to her being published in multiple fitness magazines, and she was awarded the honor of Best Fitness Model of 2011 by The Women of The Arts in Miami, FL. Was I proud of her? Yes. Surprised? Hardly.

Every time I spoke to Amy, her drive to succeed was palpable and seemed limitless. There was nothing holding her back physically or mentally. Amy always found a way to take advantage of opportunities and grow as an individual while supporting and motivating everyone around her.

Fast forward to the Spring of 2019 and in perhaps an ominous foreshadowing of what was to come, while on a business trip in China, Amy suffered severe acute symptoms associated with COVID. She was so happy to return home; however, she had to remain isolated and alone. Isolation was not something to which Amy was accustomed, and she missed her circle of influence, her work, friends and family. Somehow she managed to stay active through online pursuits and work every day throughout her bout with COVID.

Just when Amy thought life was returning to normal, it did not. It all began with subtle digestive issues that turned into chronic pain. Amy struggled each morning to wake up after countless sleepless nights. She told me that she was fatigued, dropping weight, and that it was becoming a challenge to keep up with her daily routine. Everything that she was experiencing, it was suggested that she schedule a colonoscopy. I remember she called me and said, “A colonoscopy? What? At my age?” Her perplexity was understandable given she was only 46 years old and had historically been healthy and physically fit. Just the same, the fact remained that her body was failing her in ways that she could not understand, so she had the test done.

On that fateful day in late December of 2021, Amy received a call from her doctor no one wants to get. Her test results had come back, and she had to listen to someone tell her that she had stage 4 cancer. A large malignant tumor had grown in her colon and metastasized to her liver. Her oncologist, at the time, opined that her cancer had spread to her stomach and likely to other regions. Things were escalating rapidly. Our entire family was in shock, and Amy struggled to process it all. She eventually came to terms that her life had suddenly changed, and she was now a cancer patient fighting to survive.

Even though she was the one with cancer, Amy was more concerned about how she was going to tell her family than how she would fight the odds. She told me that she stared at the phone for a few hours before she was able to make the multiple calls to tell the family. When she ultimately called me and explained the situation, I stood in my driveway staring at the night sky in complete disbelief. I thought, “This cannot possibly be happening to one of my sisters. Little sisters are not supposed to die before their big brothers.”

My family absorbed all of the news together. Just days after Amy informed us, she was back at the hospital for more tests and blood work. Amy was stoic throughout the process and even gritted her teeth and smiled when they told her that they would need to insert a port in her chest for purposes of the chemotherapy.

Just the idea of chemotherapy really shook Amy. Chemo? Radiation? Surgery? This was all happening so fast. Against her will, Amy was expected to step away from her career and move into a life of survival. There had never been anything that was beyond Amy’s control and certainly nothing that threatened her life. She would now have to acknowledge a certain level of helplessness and a need to rely on family and friends. In this respect, my Mom stepped up more than anyone to become Amy’s ultimate champion as she willingly assumed involvement in every aspect of Amy’s battle to ensure no detail was overlooked and no need unmet.

In April, Amy had a third of her liver and gallbladder removed. The day following the surgery, I went to visit her. I walked into her dark hospital room to find her asleep. Mind you, as an adult pushing 50 years old, I learned a long time ago that life does not dole out fairness, something I find myself often exclaiming to my children to their annoyance. Nonetheless, when I first saw my sister in that bed, all I could think was, “This isn’t fair.” I would have traded places with her…. except, truth be told, I would not have handled it with her strength and courage. Speaking of which- within 30 minutes of my arrival, Amy woke up and insisted that I take a video of her walking multiple laps through the halls of the hospital. Despite enduring the ordeal better than anyone, there was no escaping the excruciating post-operative pain and recovery.

Following the surgery, Amy resumed chemotherapy for several more weeks. Upon completion of the latest round, she underwent a scan to determine the status of the tumor in her colon and, more critically, whether her cancer had spread. She had long dreaded this moment as it could reveal that it was all for naught.

On August 10th, Amy’s phone rang. The call was from Moffitt. She was not emotionally prepared to answer as she knew it was them calling to give her the results of the scan. It was, in fact, her oncologist. The results were in. Despite the odds and expectations, the tumor in her colon is now undetectable, and there are no signs that the cancer has spread, though cancerous cells remain in the surrounding lymph nodes. The news has brought tears of joy to our family, along with greater hope that Amy can make it through this.

While this has certainly been a welcome development, Amy is not out of the woods. Amy has completed eight rounds of chemotherapy and has been through the worst of the recovery from the liver surgery, though she still experiences residual pain as her body continues to heal fully. Significant treatment still lies ahead. She recently commenced the radiation component of the treatment plan, and chemotherapy (“chemo pills’) will continue. As she progresses through the radiation stage (five days per week for approximately two months), it is expected that Amy will experience debilitating side effects which will prevent her from working and earning income.

Amy is an incredible sister and a loving Aunt to my children. I have watched her grow from a little kid who would tag along with my friends and me to a strong independent force. She has really never known what it feels like to be dependent and helpless. It has been a very difficult adjustment knowing she has to rely on family and friends. She has reluctantly learned to be humble and when to ask for help, though she openly acknowledges the love and support she has received from her family, close friends… and her unconditionally loyal dog, Katsu, who is always by her side.

For anyone who reads this, Amy hopes that you are inspired and that her continued struggles make you think about your own life. She hopes you live every day to the fullest and that you appreciate what it means to have your health. There is nothing more important than being healthy and independent. Amy has shown her big brother and everyone around her that when you feel like giving up, think again, change your mindset, and fight. She was given a death sentence in December 2021, but she is still here and still fighting.

My entire family appreciates you taking the time to read this and help support Amy as she continues to fight and make her way back to independence and become cancer free.

Thank you so much!

Mike