I am taking a respite from Friday Eye Candy for something much more serious and time sensitive. As you know, Chassity from Look, Linger, Love has become a sweet friend of mine through the blog world. We met up not too long ago in Charleston where she shared with me about her dear friend, Amanda. Since then, more has come to light and I am hoping that in posting Chassity’s message, one of my readers might have some much needed insight to a very rare type of cancer. And I am a huge believer in the power of prayer, so I am hopeful that we can all make a difference. Please take a moment to read Amanda’s story through Chassity’s voice: …………………………………………………………………………………… One of my oldest and dearest friends needs some prayers in a major way. It’s the most heart wrenching story, one that I’ll spare you most of the details, of a young woman with cancer.
My story with Amanda begins when we were kids. We grew up together in the same small town and were close friends all throughout school. Many, many memories. Countless really. We both went to college at Indiana University and were roomies for 3 of those 4 years. After college graduation Amanda married and started a family in Indiana. Even though I moved to Charleston she and I have remained close in that sacred "we’ll be friends forever" sort of way that only really good friends can have.
In April of 2011 Amanda, along with her husband Aaron and their two daughters Ava and Ella, welcomed baby Nolan to the world. The pregnancy had been one that was extremely difficult and painful due to a fibroid and a lymph node the size of a cantaloupe and a grapefruit. In May, about one month after Nolan’s birth, we learned that Amanda has cancer. After numerous tests and surgeries and a recent trip to MD Anderson in Houston, the cancer has been determined to be UTROSCT. UTROSCT is an extremely rare form of cancer which stands for Uterine Tumor Resembling Ovarian Sex Chord Tumor. Googling will pull up very little. Sadly, it has already spread to her sacrum, breast, rib and skull. To make this whole situation even more cruel, Amanda is experiencing unbearable pain. But you wouldn’t know, I’ve not once heard her complain about it. She began carboplatin/taxol chemo treatment yesterday, but it is a very hard road ahead, one that is in God’s hands. Because this cancer is so incredibly rare, they’re pretty much throwing darts at a treatment. If you happen to have any information on UTROSCT (maybe you or someone you know has it) please contact me. Likewise, if you know or happen to be an OB oncologist, please get in touch with me. Any information would be helpful at this point. You can visit Amanda’s Caring Bridge page to learn more about her condition.
I humbly ask that you please take time out of your day to say a prayer for my friend Amanda, her family, her doctors, and for her strength. I assure you that this amazing woman and her beautiful family are worth every second of your time. And if you feel the need to do more, please share this post. You never know who might see it and how it could help. 
……………………………………………………. Thank you for taking the time to read Amanda’s story.
Praying for Amanda.
-Rene
Thoughts and prayers are being sent!
I am praying for Amanda and her family.
Praying for Amanda
What an amazing woman Amanda is! God healed my failing kidneys 28 years ago and they're still doing well..so I fully believe in His healing power. I will pray for Amanda and her family.
http://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-hospitals.cfm
I will be praying!
Thank you for sharing this. Lifting this family up in my prayers today. Please keep us updated!
I read this at LLL and have been thinking about this beautiful young family ever since. Keeping them all in my prayers.
Praying praying praying!
Oh Courtney, you're such a lovely person to share this here on your blog. Thank you so much for the kind words. Love you!
Ugh, my stomach hurts for them. Prayers are a simple request I can fulfill.
Read Chassity's post regarding Amanda, and you are so right…the more it gets out there, the better the chance SOMEONE will have answers. Prayers continue to go up for this young family.
This is just heartbreaking…I am definitely thinking of her and keeping her in my prayers.
This brought tears to my eyes. Prayers sent her way.
I am also a reader of Chassity's blog. I read this the other day and it is so so sad. I am continuing to pray for her and her family in the this difficult time. I am also a big believer in prayer.
praying. Those girls are just a miniature her. What a beautiful family.
We just had a sermon on the power of prayer – it is has been proven in scientific studies to improve healing (not to mention what science can't touch – miracles!) I believe in the God we pray to – that He can and will provide the best for us and I know that He will take care of her and her family. I will be praying for God's will.
I read this on Chassity's blog, and again today, and can't get through it without tearing up. So horribly scary and heartbreaking. Certainly puts life into perspective.
I will be praying for her and her entire family!
I read this yesterday on Chassity's blog and it's been on my mind. Very sweet of you to post this, Courtney. I will keep beautiful Amanda and her family in my thoughts and prayers. I do believe in the power of prayer. I wish there was something else I could do to help.
This broke my heart yesterday when I read it on Chassity's blog. She's in my thoughts and prayers. The Lord is mighty to save!
What a beautiful friend you are, Chassity. Know that I will be joining all of the prayer warriors lifting up Amanda's name and asking for a complete and miraculous healing in her body. God bless you.
xoxo laurie
I'm heartsick over the tragedy that has fallen on this sweet mother and her family. She will be in my daily prayers.
xo, CAS
I have prayed for her- I believe God can work a miracle and restore complete health! She is healthy and will have a long life- in Jesus' name!!
I read this yesterday but didn't have time to comment as I went off to read Amanda's blog. The power of prayer is amazing ~ she and her sweet family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Jo
Definitely praying.
I will be praying for Amanda!! I believe God wants to heal her entire body and do a miracle! I pray for 100% restoration in Jesus' name!
Absolutely praying.
Read this on LLL and still makes me tear up reading it again. I believe in miracles. Praying for her and her family.
I recently took a class on herbs from the School of Natural Healing. Dr. Christopher is a renown herbalist. I don't know how Amanda feels about using natural ways of healing, but I thought I'd put it out there. In his book, Herbal Home Health Care, he talks about an "incurables program." He submits that there are no incurable diseases, but at times there are incurable patients. Anyway, if she is interested, it is worth looking into!
Hi – I was just reading your blog about your friend. I realize you posted this over a year ago, how is she doing?