#MandaStrong – What Is Happening With My Sister’s Friend

[This is a guest post by my sister Shay. whom many of you “met” on The Bachelorette and The Bachelor. (She sort of stole the show.) Please read, pray, “like,” and support her friend.]

Back in February 2009, I blogged about my one of my closest friends Manda and her battle with cancer. Manda had cancer as a child and had part of her calf amputated when she was five. After that she was in remission.When we met as young marrieds about 9 years ago, we became instant friends. Manda might actually be the nicest person I know.

Back in 2008, Manda and I were both pregnant with our first kids at the same time and after Kensington was born, Manda was one of the very first people to see and hold her. A few months later in January 2009, on a really snowy day, I drove to the hospital to visit Manda and her brand new son Aiden. We both had our babies and life seemed pretty perfect.

Six days later, I was putting towels up in my guest bathroom when my phone rang. It was Manda crying that her leg had broke. She said all of a sudden, her leg broke and they were at the ER. I remember thinking how awful that she has a broken leg and a six day old baby. I remember thinking that I couldn’t imagine anything worse. I was so wrong.

After running some tests, it was revealed that Manda’s leg had broke because her cancer was back and in her leg (therefore making it weak and causing the break). When her baby was only 2 weeks old, Manda made the brave decision to have her entire leg amputated.

We have a really special group of girlfriends and we spent that year with Manda and her brand new baby as she went through grueling chemo and radiation (not to mention learning how to live life as an amputee). We made food for her, we sat with her, we cried for her, with her and held her hand as she cried. I honestly can’t imagine a harder year for someone…especially a new mama.

After the one year mark, Manda was given a clean bill of health and started life over as a mom to a one year old boy with a new handicap but a very positive outlook on life. Over the last almost 5 years, we have almost let that miserable year fade in the background. As girlfriends, we have moved on and focused on happier and more positive things. Last summer, Manda gave birth to a beautiful little girl Miley and it really felt like the yucky old chapter had ended and a new chapter full of life and promise had begun.

Two weeks ago, I was opening the fridge to get a drink when my phone rang and it was Andrew. He said Aaron (Manda’s husband) had just called to say Manda’s cancer was back. This time, in her spine.

Words cannot express how heartbroken I am for my sweet friend. At 33, she is facing cancer now for the third time. If you know a lot about cancer, then you know…your body can only take so much chemo and radiation. They told Manda last time, that she had already had her lifetime supply of many of the types of chemo and radiations effective for her type of cancer. Her heart is also really compromised because of the prior chemos and having more can be very dangerous.

When I got off the phone with Andrew, I called our girlfriends…our rocks in life and told them. We all met at Manda’s house and prayed in her front yard. She came outside to hug us and it was really hard. We love her so much and don’t understand why she has to go through this again.

Manda is fighting. Manda is such a fighter. She has a wonderful husband and two precious kiddos and she is going to fight this cancer with everything she has.

Before Manda starts her treatments tomorrow, we surprised her at the end of her family photo session for some group hugs, lots of positive words of encouragement, silly stories with laughter and some heartfelt prayer. We want to be cheerleaders for Manda. Positive, encouraging, uplifting cheerleaders. When you’re in a bleak situation like this…you need some positive people to make you laugh…and trust me, we can all make her laugh :).

The burden the Maxwells face is much more than just physical. There are emotional and financial burdens too. We have started a Facebook page for updates and prayer request that you can follow. We are giving really specific prayer requests for what Manda needs. Every time you pray for her need, we ask that you “like” the status so that she can watch the number of prayers go up. We know that God can provide a miracle. We know the power of prayer.We have also set up a Go Fund Me donation page. All of the money will be given directly to Manda and her family to pay for medical bills and other necessities they need while she fights this horrible disease for the third time. Because this is her third round of cancer, the treatments are a little more unconventional this time and therefore not covered by insurance. We are raising money to help them with this financial burden.On Wednesday, you will be able to buy a Manda Strong t-shirt and all of the proceeds will go directly to Manda and her family.

Manda loves the Lord with all of her heart. Though she doesn’t understand why this is happening, she will be the first person to say that God has a plan for her life and she trusts him completely. She is so positive and encouraging.

Right now, our specific prayer requests are that she can get a really clear and concise treatment plan. We also pray that the Lord gives her strength to fight this fight while also being a mommy to two (she wants to be brave for her kids). And of course, we pray for healing. We pray Manda can be healed of this awful disease once and for all. We need a miracle.