Yet Another Heart Ache For Amanda Andersen

[688MOM]

Amanda became a CNA because after going through the Spinal Cord Injury and staying in the Hospital she decided she knew what patients needed. She is currently still taking classes to go towards becoming a Nurse. After being told; yet again, she wouldn’t be able to become a CNA; she proved them wrong once again. She worked at a local Reno Hospital in the Oncology Department and loved it. She really felt she was making a difference in the Cancer Patients and their family’s lives. She was on cloud nine.

Last week, Amanda hurt her knee while working the job she fought so hard to get. She was helping another CNA scoot a patient up in bed and felt her knee snap and it gave away. Yes, this is the right leg that has gone through hell and back. After x-rays and MRI; she was informed that she tore her ACL/meniscus and needed surgery. My heart fell to the floor to think she would have yet another hurtle to get over. What more can go through and what is she able to take. She was so excited that she was able to tell Disability that she no longer needed their help, she was able to get the Health Insurance offered by the Hospital she was working at and really felt her life was finally headed upward…… Amanda moved out of our house in December into her own apartment with her boyfriend… Now, I don’t know if they will be able to stay there.

Now what???? We have no idea… That poor little leg is the one that is still paralyzed. It took over 6 months for a simple blister to heal on it; I don’t know if it can heal or if it can make it… I sat there and saw huge tears well up in her eyes and she said “this is the 1st thing that I have failed at since my accident”.… As a Mother, you try and explain that she didn’t fail, that she will make it, that she is a strong person and she can get through this.…. I’m so afraid that she is tired of fighting. Every day is a fight for her; she fights the pain in her back, she fights the rude people starring at her and making snide remarks, she fights to survive. God I can only hope and pray that I can give her the strength that she needs to go through this… Please, send some prayers Amanda’s way…. We see the surgeon Thursday; I will keep you informed as to what happens.

[quadyricks]

Tell her to keep her chin up,it will work itself out in time,and everything will be ok. Great that she became a cna and was happy,and helping others. In the meantime goood luck and she and you will be in my prayers.

[fastlearner]

Wow... What a hard road. I know that she is tough and will come through this. Best wishes.

[jeremy68mom]

Positive thoughts and prayers for a complete and speedy recovery are being sent.

[Tatonka]

If adversity builds character then Amanda has to be one helluva character! I'm really sorry to hear about this, I know how hard she has worked to get this position and to rise above. Amanda is one tough and determined individual, I'm confident she will find a way to rise above this setback. I wish her all the best and please don't hesitate to let me know what we can do to help. Mona, you also should know that our thoughts and prayers are with you - hang in there you can handle this!

:)

[TwinTurbos]

What a crushing disappointment! Amanda has such will and determination I'm sure she will pull through this. "What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger." You're in my prayers Amanda!!!

Mona - I can sympathize with your ache as you watch Amanda go through this. You've been there for her through so much, and now you'll be there for her during this setback. I know it will be a while, but I'll anxiously await your post that she's back on her feet doing what she loves. I'm thinking of you and wishing you the strength YOU need to get through this.

[688MOM]

Well, here we are once again… Tomorrow will be 3 years since her crash. I was so sure that we would only be writing on RiderDown.org to give support to others, to let people know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Yet I’m sorry to say that this is not the case. I’m not sure, nor is the Doc sure as to why Amanda’s health is going downward.
Amanda’s knee does not need surgery (yippee) but it did get a steroid shot and she will need to have physical therapy 3x weekly for at least 10 weeks. Then her knee swelled and now she has fluid under her knee cap. She will go in and have that removed. She was also told that once the Doc releases her either for light duty or normal work; they will terminate her employment at the hospital she works for. There’s the support she needed from her employer right??? Oh but they told her they may be able to help her get a different job within the hospital, just not sure at this time.
Amanda is not only dealing with her knee but for the last few months she has been dealing with issues regarding her lower organs. They were never supposed to work and Amanda showed the Doc’s that they would. Well it seems that the nerves that control them are “confused”, they are “short circuiting” within her. They even have a Physical Therapist that was supposed to help her; yesterday we found out there is nothing the therapist can do. So we are in a standby mode until the next appointment. They do have her on heavy medication(s) trying to knock down infection(s) that have set in.
We are trying to get into a Stem Cell clinic in Germany. We won’t know if that is a go for at least 2 more weeks. My daughter is very strong willed; yet I have been seeing her worn out… She says she feels like her insides are dying, like she is dying from the inside out.
So I would like to give my promise to my daughter Amanda on the 3 year anniversary of your crash tomorrow. I will never give up on you and I will make sure that anything and everything will get done to support a healthier you. I will be your rock when you need someone to cry on and your big hugga bear when you need someone to hold you. I will be your advocate when Doctor’s say there is nothing more they can do for you and I will explain to the Doc’s in my “kind” (hahaha) way that they need to try again or look elsewhere. I will make sure that every dream you have will come true and that nothing is out of your reach. I love you more than you will ever know sweetie… I will make this right for you and put that grin back on your beautiful face again. When I see that smile, I know nothing will stop you. For you to be so small, you have put a huge stamp on this old earth and so many people are affected by your determination and your love for life. I Love You sweetie… Mom

[jeremy68mom]

Although sometimes it seems so impossible, there has to be hope for a brighter future. Please know that tears, prayers and positive thoughts are going out for both of you.
Mere words seem so shallow but there are others that follow your story and are pulling for you in many, many ways.

[688MOM]

Thank you to all for all of your prayers and thoughts. The news we get each week seems like we are headed backwards. Lab work and other testing have brought our worst fears to life. Amanda's lower organs are not getting the message to work properly. Nerve damage and the lack of any muscle in that area are causing malfunctions in her liver, kidney, bladder and female organs. More testing will need to be done before they give us the final conclusion as to what needs to happen. Her knee that she hurt while working isn’t getting better with heavy physical therapy and now the Doc says he may have no choice but to do surgery. Doc still has her with “no work” at this time as the hospital where she was working told her that “she will be terminated as soon as she is released for either light duty or normal duty work as she should never have been hired.” Even though she passed the pre-employment physical by the same Doc that told her she should never have been hired…. So as soon as she is released she will be un-employed and all of us know how hard it is to get any type of employment at this day and time.
We were just notified that the stem cell clinic in Germany (xcell-center.com) has accepted her. Please go to their website and tell me what you think… They take your own bone marrow out of your hip, take to their lab and remove the stem cells; that is then taken and injected into the bottom of the Spinal Cord. They show wonderful results, we are awaiting a date so we can start working on the financial end. We hope this can give her some relief as I’m truly not sure how much more she can take.
Please know that I have not forgotten the people that I advocated for here at RiderDown.org; I just need to be here for my daughter at this time. I think of you often and please throw a prayer Amanda’s way… They are greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Mona

[fastlearner]

Still thinking of you and Amanda each day! Please stay strong.

[688MOM]

Amanda was just approved for the Stem Cell treatment in Germany and we are currently finalizing travel arrangements and getting our financials together. Her appointment is May 31st and we are so excited and full of hope.

Please send Amanda your prayers and well wishes as she is full of the "what if's" at this time. Thank you everyone for all of your support and love you have sent our way.
Mona

[fastlearner]

Best wishes, Amanda!

[Tatonka]

That's very exciting Amanda! I'd love to hear more about your whole experience with this process. Of course my best wishes are with you!!

[TwinTurbos]

What a great opportunity! My thoughts and prayers are with you Amanda!!

[1151map]

Hey Amanda,

It's me Tammy Potts. I am a "Job developer" and work along side the Department of Rehabilitation. Anyone with an injury like your qualifies for assistance in finding a job in a career of their choice. Hope is not lost at all, you can continue your career and also recieve help "free" finding a job. They can help pay for transportation (gas) while your seeking employment. But this is not the time to worry about working. Take care of your health first, think only about recovery, because after your stem cell treatment there will be no time to worry about work.
Give me a holler when you ready to seek employment !!!!! (maybe in about 1 year) I will send you some resources.


big hugs,

tammy potts