Amanda Rudisell / Pancreatic Cancer
Amanda Rudisell is a recently turned 30 year old that lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.
March 12, 2007 , just 18 days before her 30th birthday she was told she has Pancreatic Cancer that has spread to her liver and is also in stage 4 ( the last stage ).
At this moment, there is NO CURE for this cancer!
She started taking Chemo therapy soon after.
The end of May we learned the Chemo had absolutely NO EFFECT at all on slowing the process of the cancer.
The lesions on her liver had grown bigger as well as the tumors of cancer inside of her.
Its now June and she just started taking a new clinical treatment specifically for Pancreatic cancer.
Since this treatment is still in its testing stages, we pray this will be the one that will cure Pancreatic cancer over all.
On June 3rd,2007 I ( Her best friend of MANY years ) held a Benefit/bike run in Amanda's name and raised a descent amount of money for Amanda. She wants to have a BRAND NEW car, so she will put more than half of that money down on a car and the rest she has donated to the pancreatic cancer research.
This new treatment she is on started showing changes in Amanda immediately! For 2 days in a row, she felt pretty good, didn't vomit, and didn't have to take her ( MANY ) pain med's!
Although she is still getting sick and having a hard time keeping things down, and still has pain, this treatment is seemingly improving her side effects of the cancer!!
From the research I did concerning this cancer, I learned so many frightening details!
Its terminal, meaning you DO NOT survive this cancer.
If your lucky enough to catch it in the 1st stages ( which RARELY happens) you may be able to survive anywhere from 1 to 5 years, 5 being the maxi um as far as the studies have shown.
Amanda was given no hope and its so extremely devasting to all of us who love her, watch her have to go through this.
At times she wants to give up but over all I think her attitude is more less, Im gonna be the one who is gonna BEAT THIS!
And in my head Im not knowing what to think, Ive read everything there is to read about this cancer, and Im armed with the facts, her chances of survival are slim to none!
But my heart, that's another story.
Have you ever just felt that there was something or someone in your life that you KNEW would ALWAYS be there, and cannot even think about comprehending the fact of it/them being GONE?
One side of me says, pray for the best but reality says she's going to die from this, and one side of me says, THERES NO WAY IN HELL SHE CAN DIE! I just cannot imagine my life without her, and when I look into the future, even knowing everything I do, I still see her there with us!
My name is Lisa Smith and I have been Amanda's best friend since, oh gosh, the 4th grade I believe.
We've gone so many things together, got into ALOT of trouble together lol, and did a lot of our "1st's" together.
The funny part is her and I are complete opposites.
I come from a very strict family environment, and now being an adult, I am one of those people that has been there, and done that, so all I wanna do now is sit at home and read a good book, spend time with my family etc. In some of ways Im uptight I guess you could say,to some extent.
But one thing about me that many people have said is I have a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone.
And that is exactly what I strive to do. I dont even have to know someone and will be the 1st to jump right in and get my hands dirty when that person may be in some kind of distress.
Amanda is a genuine person. And there's not too many people left in this world like her. I tend to describe her, as I always have to others, Amanda is what I like to call " A Free Spirit"
She grew up in loving, close knit family and her mother is a lot like Amanda, or I should say Amanda is a lot like her mom
(" Big" Donna Rudisell )
I think her and her family have got to be the most genuine , REAL people I met and will ever know!
Her Mom ( "Big Donna ") Dad ( Dennis Rudisell ) and her step dad ( Steve Maham aka Beak) are all great people.
She grew up with so many great influences in her life since her mom, dad and step dad have been with the A.F.R ( American federation of riders ) which are "Bikers" that do ALOT to benefit bike runs to raise money for those in need. Children, families, cancers, etc.
The A.F.R came about in the early 1980's and to this day have raised over 2 million dollars for people in need.
Ive personally met many of them and due to Amanda and I being best friends, I kinda grew up with them as well. ( I was always over her house lol )
The AFR are great, beautiful people!!!
I guess the combination of the way she was raised and different influences in her life is the reason she came to be the most incredibly beautiful I now know today!!!
We are still taking donations for Amanda and trying to work on getting her that new car she wants so badly!
In the event ( God forbid) she is nearing the end of life's journey, we all want to give her the things she really desires, because its not looking good for her.
We want her to be able to enjoy what life she has left and try to get her that car before she's unable to drive completely!
(Which isn't too far off) Every day , even with this new treatment, is like watching her wither away.
The cancer has taken a H-U-G-E toll on her already.
She's getting worse by the day although some days are worse/better than others.
She does have one good thing on her side, HER AGE!
Usually, this cancer is excepted with people ages 60- and older.
So its rare her someone her age to develop it!
This has hit her so fast! Im with her at least 2-3 times a week and its is hard to watch this unfold right in front of you, and trying to hold back all my tears while Im in her presence.
We've had moments that we've just laid there holding each other, crying and her telling me her fears.
These types of things always seem to happen to such wonderful/beautiful people! So it makes it all the more devasting when you loose such a incredible person!
One that you dont meet everyday and lucky to ever meet!
I just thank god I was able to, and to have this woman as my best friend is a blessing and honor , too much for words to describe!
I will keep this website updated on all of Amanda's progress, good or bad.
I would like for all of you to pray for her! Its not only devasting to ones that know Amanda but its a loss to society in general. If only we had more people like her, the world would be a much different , but beautiful place!
Also, Please try to educate YOURSELF of risk factors for all types of cancer. The more info your armed with the better!
If you would like to donate ANYTHING , she would sure appreciate it as well as her family and I.
Rest assured all donations go directly to Amanda and we also like to donate a percentage of cash donations towards research for pancreatic cancer, hoping for a cure.
If you would like more information, feel free to contact me by email or phone.
Ill be more than happy to give more information about this nasty cancer and updates of Amanda.
I thank you for taking the time to stop by!
And we hope to hear from some/all of you just to know we have your support and prayers.
God Bless!!!!
MY INFO:
Lisa Smith
513-238-0413
Email : LostLittleLisa@aol.com
Much info for Pancreatic Caner
The Mayo Clinic
National Cancer Institute
What you NEED to know about cancer
PanCAN Working for a cure
What is Pancreatic Cancer?
Send E-Mail to: lostlittlelisa@aol.com
Copyright © 2001 Lisa Smith. All Rights Reserved