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My name is Amanda Bruneau and I am from Sherwood Park, Alberta Canada. I was in university taking classes to get into Medical Labroatory Science as I am really interested in the Medical field. I also worked at Boston Pizza part time as a server. On my spare time I enjoy hanging out with my friends, cooking, watching movies, and I have a huge love for animals.
But in March 2013, I started noticing some weird changes happening with my body. I have always been very slim, and I had gained a lot of excess weight in my abdomen and face. I had also started noticing some hormonal changes. I went to the doctor in May and told him about these issues. Little did I know I had an illness. The doctor didn't think it was anything to worry about so I did not go for any tests. Then at the end of July, I started having really bad abdominal pain. So I went to the doctor again. Then I went for an ultrasound and bloodwork. The results did not come out good. They found that I had numerous masses on my liver and near my right kidney. Right away they sent me for more testing. Every week I was getting more testing done. Everyone just thought it was a cyst and I would be okay. I had ultrasounds, bloodwork, urine samples, CT scans, a biopsy, and an MIBG scan. It was not until October 7, 2013 that they had finally put all of the tests together. I sat in the office at the Cross Cancer Institute with my family and waited patiently for my oncologist. Once I was called in, he looked very nervous. He explained to my that I have a rare type of cancer, "one in a million" are diagnosed with it. It is called Adrenocortical Carcinoma. This cancer starts in the adrenal glands, which are located right above the kidneys. Unfortunately my cancer had metastasized to my liver and both of my lungs. He told me I had terminal stage 4 cancer from the amount it had spread. He gave me about 8 months to live. He said there is no cure, only a very harsh chemotherapy, that is extremely hard on the heart, can cause deafness, and severe damage to the brain. This chemotherapy may only prolong my life for a short while. I told him I did not want to do the chemotherapy.
I went home with no hope. I never thought I would have to plan my own funeral at the age of 19. My family did not give up on me. Through a friend I heard about a doctor in Mexico that had cured people of various diseases and cancers. Then my step mom came across the Hope4Cancer Institute in Tijuana Mexico. They offer alternative treatments from around the world and have one of the best doctors for these treatments. Most of all, they gave me hope, where as in Canada they did not. Since these treatments are in another country, it is very expensive. My friends and family have been doing a bunch of fundraising to help with my treatments. I appreciate every little bit, and the support from all my friends and family. I have never felt so loved in my life. They give me the strength to get better. And I am going to get better.
I will have to admit, these past couple of months have been extremely hard for my family and myself, but with the help of all you loving, caring people, you give me the hope and strength I need to get better. I am not going to take no for an answer, I am not going to sit here and not do anything. I am going to fight, because I have so much left to live for.
This institute has one of the best doctors for alternative therapies for cancer around the world. They also deal with the type of cancer I have been diagnosed with and told me that they can help me. I know some people think, why Mexico? How is their medicine more advanced than Canada’s? Well, they use some methods of therapies that are only practiced a couple places around the world. But most important, they believe in me that I can get better. They gave me hope, whereas here in Canada they did not. If there is any chance that they can help me to get better, I am going to go for it. I think any of you would do the same. After being diagnosed with cancer my life has changed completely. Not just everyday things like not being able to go to school or work, but my whole perspective on life has changed. I do not look at my illness as a punishment, but something I can learn from, and has changed me for the better. I have learned to really fully appreciate every little thing – even such simple things like the sun coming out, or a smile on someone’s face. Life is so beautiful, I think that most of us take many things for granted, I know I sure did. I now realize this and am more thankful than ever for how blessed I am with everything I have.
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