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The Sunday Series (37), with Mark Brodinsky

August 17, 2014 By markbrodinsky 11 Comments

They say never give up. Learning from those who refuse to lose might be the greatest inspiration of all.

The Sunday Series (37): Amanda’s Sunrise

Just days away from a major milestone in her life, 17-year-old Amanda Endres is feeling good. She’s a fighter. She’s determined and she is looking forward to a ton of tomorrows. But the future wasn’t always so bright.

Almost 10 years have passed and though only 8-years-old at the time, Amanda still remembers. She was feeling really tired, cold all the time, her stomach hurt, she had fevers, the doctors kept telling her parents it was just the flu. But after a blood test, the doctors changed their story. Amanda had pneumonia… that part would have been easy to take, if there also wasn’t another diagnosis, a blood cancer called, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, (ALL), (http://www.cancer.org/cancer/leukemia-acutelymphocyticallinadults/detailedguide/leukemia-acute-lymphocytic-what-is-all).

Next up a three-week hospital stay and Amanda feeling scared and sad. Her sisters, Jacquelyn, Madison and Sydney weren’t allowed to visit because of the fear of infection. Amanda was missing a ton of school and then there was the chemotherapy. Rounds of chemo, until the doctors felt she was in remission from the disease, at least enough to go home, yet it was just the beginning.

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The outpatient treatment lasted 2-1/2 years, chemotherapy to continue to wage the battle and to stop the disease from staging a comeback. It seemed to be working, until one day on the soccer field when Amanda started feeling dizzy and had to leave the game. The cancer had returned.  Another hospital stay, just as long as the first just three years before, and the chemo continued. “The chemotherapy was stronger this time”, says Amanda, “because I was more high risk, but at least I had expectations of what was going to happen. I missed out on more school and that really upset me because I was determined to have perfect attendance at school that year.”

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Round two seemed to do the trick, but Amanda was forced to keep up the routine of outpatient chemotherapy treatments, facing the consequences that come with it, fatigue, feeling sick and hair loss. She says her parents and her sisters were and still are her greatest supporters, helping her to battle through it all. But there’s also the ray of light which comes from Camp Sunrise.

Camp 2005

Established by the American Cancer Society back in 1987, the camp started with only seven campers. Today the week-long camp, maintained and sponsored by Johns Hopkins Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Division of Pediatric Oncology, serves over 100 campers. And one of those 100, Amanda Endres, says it changed her life: “All the people at Camp Sunrise inspired me to keep going. All the stories from kids like me and the terrific counselors. They are like my second family. When I’m there I have no worries about being different. All the people understand me in a way no one else can.” This year marked Amanda’s 9th year visiting the camp.

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But while Camp Sunrise kept her spirits up, some bad cells continued to keep her down. Another relapse in November of 2013 and another round of chemotherapy. But with the pounding her body was taking from the poison, the doctors said they needed another direction for treatment, a bone marrow transplant. Fortunately for Amanda, her 11-year-old sister Madison was a “half-match” and Johns Hopkins had developed a procedure called a haploidentical transplantation, which had been successful in curing patients of some cancers and blood cancers. Amanda says her sister Madison, scared of hospitals and needles, was a brave soul and the transplant was a success.

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The procedure took place in February of this year, and this Tuesday is a big milestone. August 19th is 180 days since the transplant, a watershed day to measure the success of the procedure. Amanda spent the first 100 days after her transplant at Believe in Tomorrow, the home away from home for some of the children who are treated at Johns Hopkins Oncology center. But now Amanda is back home and will be getting back to school and trying to graduate on time. “It was tough this past year”, (her junior year of high school), says Amanda, because of the time in the hospital but she is making strides. She attends The Academy of Health Sciences at PGCC (Prince George’s Community College). A new program in Maryland, there Amanda can take her high school classes and some college credits to earn an Associates Degree and her high school diploma all at the same time.

Amanda loves the school and health sciences and as happens so often, her life experiences have given her a direction in life. Amanda wants to be a nurse, specifically a pediatric nurse because as she says, “I look up to them and I want to be a nurse to help kids that are just like me.” A mission and a vision to help others because at 17-years-of-age Amanda knows what it’s like to struggle with a childhood disease, but she wants to give back and she’s ready.

While modern science may have saved her life, it’s the people in her life that have served as Amanda’s best medicine. “I’ve learned to stay positive and definitely have a greater appreciation for life. Going through all of this has made my family stronger. I never saw my parents upset, they always stayed strong for me and motivated me to keep going. My sisters are my best friends and Madison is my hero. How close we are… I don’t even know how to describe it.”

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Sometimes words are not necessary. Amanda need only look to her family, friends and the incredible experience of Camp Sunrise. For Amanda, all of them light her way toward a better tomorrow.

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Until next time thanks for taking the time,

Mark Brodinsky

Mark Brodinsky, Author, Huffington Post Blogger, (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-brodinsky/)

Learn more about Mark: (http://www.talkinggood.com/profiles/MarkBrodinsky)

The #1 Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story

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Comments

  1. Beth Fisher says

    August 17, 2014 at 9:26 am

    Keep Punching Amanda! You are a true inspiration. Thanks for sharing Mark!!

    Reply
    • markbrodinsky says

      August 17, 2014 at 9:29 am

      Thanks for reading Beth. And you’re right, Amanda is an inspiration!

      Reply
  2. Jeremy Walsh says

    August 17, 2014 at 9:39 am

    I am inspired every week I read these Mark. Thanks for sharing your gift and everyone’s story. Amanda you are an inspiration to the world.

    Reply
    • markbrodinsky says

      August 17, 2014 at 9:54 am

      Thanks Jeremy. Thanks for your gift of inspiration as well. Amanda’s story is one worth sharing, as are so many!!

      Reply
  3. Jennifer says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:12 am

    Thank you for sharing. She is our inspiration everyday!

    Reply
    • markbrodinsky says

      August 17, 2014 at 11:00 am

      Thank you Jennifer, for raising such an amazing young lady!

      Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:15 am

    Thanks for sharing. She is our inspiration everyday.

    Reply
  5. rcommodari says

    August 17, 2014 at 10:35 am

    Thanks for sharing Amanda’s story. A true inspiration to persevere. I will certainly keep Amanda in my thoughts and prayers.

    Reply
    • markbrodinsky says

      August 17, 2014 at 10:59 am

      Thanks Rob. You know inspiration when you see it!

      Reply
  6. Brett says

    August 17, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    Thank you Mark. You captured it so well with your words. Im her father and could not be more proud.

    Reply
    • markbrodinsky says

      August 17, 2014 at 5:02 pm

      I’m sure you are very proud, she’s an inspiration. And what a beautiful family you have. I have two girls, but you doubled the fun.

      Reply

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Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

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Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

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I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

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Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

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Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

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From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

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I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

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I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

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You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

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I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

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Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

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With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

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Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

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Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

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A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

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This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

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There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

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From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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