Photo courtesy Nate Dunford Photography

February 25, 1974~July 3, 2010

Amy is a 36 year old mother of 6.

On April 15th, 2010, she was diagnosed with a rare and terminal cancer: Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma.

Surrounded by her family and friends, she is determined to face her future with faith, hope, courage and love.


Surrounded by her family, and with Gary by her side, Amy passed away in the early morning hours of July 3rd, 2010. Just a short 2 1/2 months after being diagnosed with cancer.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Latest Update


Hello everyone,

For those of you who have been following Amy's story on her blog or facebook, I would like to give everyone a quick update on how Amy is doing and what is the latest on her prognosis.

First I would like to start by saying thank you to everyone who has been there for us. Thank you to all those who have shared their words of love, support and encouragement. Thanks to all of you who have donated so generously to the Amy Jackson Fund. Thanks to all of those who have given of their time and resources to help us with so many things that we have needed. Thanks to all of you who have brought our family meals and household supplies. All of you have been a huge part in making our difficulties and burdens lighter. As difficult as these past several weeks have been, I can't imagine how much more difficult they would have been or what we would have done without all your love, kindness and service.

I know many of you have been asking for more detailed updates and a more complete history as to what all has transpired in our lives over the last several weeks. I will try to first bring you up to date on what Amy's status is at this point in time, and then I will fill you in with a history of Amy's Diagnosis, Treatments, Symptoms and Struggles from the beginning, in a few upcoming posts. Hopefully, if Amy is up to it, we will co-mingle my posts with one or two of her own to allow you all to hear from her as much as possible.

To begin with, after all this time and all that has transpired, I still find it hard to believe that this is really happening to us. At times it still seems unreal and unfair. Yet I wake each morning to the reality of what we are facing. Everything has happened so fast. It just leaves my head spinning and wondering what will be next.


As you all know, we recently returned from a wonderful trip to sunny southern California. We spent a fabulous day at the beach followed by two incredible days at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. It was quite an amazing thing to watch Amy on that trip. Many of you know that for several days prior to our trip, Amy had been experiencing quite a bit of pain in her hips and legs as a result of the progressing cancer in her bones. Many times, we considered cancelling or postponing our trip in hopes that further treatments may allow her to gain strength and relief of pain, thus making her trip more enjoyable. On the last few nights prior to our departure for our trip, Amy's pain was just absolutely excruciating. We came so close to calling it off. In fact the night before we flew out, we didn't get any sleep because we spent the whole night trying to make her comfortable. However, we felt that this trip was so important in so many ways and we felt that if we postponed it, we would never be able to go. Amazingly, Amy completed the entire trip almost completely pain free. We know that this was an absolute miracle on her behalf. There were so many people who were praying for Amy and our family and I am a witness that those prayers were answered. We had an amazing time and created memories that will always be cherished and will never be forgotten.


Shortly after our return home, Amy again began to feel a lot more pain and discomfort. And then on last Friday night June 4th, Amy simply moved just wrong and excruciating pain shot from her hip down her left leg. The pain subsided only when her leg was placed in just the right position and not moved at all. After calling her doctor and describing her symptoms, he immediately told us to get her to the hospital and have her checked out. So... after a quick ride in the Ambulance on Saturday morning to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, and several X-rays and Cat Scans, Amy was diagnosed as having a badly broken right hip and a non displaced hairline fracture of her left femur. The doctors suggested surgery right away. They felt she needed a complete hip replacement on the right side and a shaft placed inside the femur of her left leg to strengthen it and prevent further damage. The surgery was scheduled for Monday afternoon.


Over the next two days and nights however, Amy's body had other plans... Due to the tumors in her lung and other places, Amy's breathing and other vital signs began to be affected very quickly. Her respiratory function quickly diminished and she soon had to be kept on 5 liters of oxygen in order to keep her O2 Saturation levels in the safe range. The nurses and doctors tried several times to reduce the oxygen Amy was receiving, but each time her O2 levels dropped to the unsafe range. After consulting with literally every doctor, nurse, anesthesiologist and social worker involved with the case, it was determined that with Amy's body in its weakened state that the operations would be far to risky, The anesthesiologist even went so far as to say that he would refuse the case because of her high risk. Many of the doctors felt that if we went through with the surgery, we would have a very likely chance of losing Amy on the operating table.

At this time, we were faced with some very difficult decisions. were we prepared to take a chance of losing Amy at this time? What would Amy's quality of life be like with or without the surgery? How would we continue to care for Amy if she didn't have the surgery? What would her prognosis be with and without the surgery? So many things to think about. We knew that if we chose not to proceed with the surgery, Amy would be bound to a hospital bed for the remainder of her life. We knew that it would be almost impossible to continue with any treatment to the cancer. We also knew that if we continued on with the surgery, Amy would have to spend several weeks in rehabilitation in the hospital and a care center before being able to come home. We also knew that this surgery would not add any time to her overall prognosis and in fact may even shorten it considerably. After several hours of prayer and discussion, Amy decided that she wanted to come home and be made as comfortable as possible and be able to spend the remainder of her time at home in the company of her family and friends.

So... that brings us to where we are now... Amy is at home, in a hospital bed enjoying what time she has remaining, with her family and she says that she prays each and every day that she may just have one more day with her family. She is now on hospice care with a wonderful company called Love Hospice, which is such a blessing. Their sole purpose is to make the remainder of Amy's time on this earth as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. Though Amy is still on oxygen and cannot get out of bed, so far we have been able to make her pretty comfortable. But at times, when we have to move her ever so slightly to treat her bed sores, or bathe her, or change her bedding, she does unfortunately suffer some pain in her legs and hips. Over the past few weeks I have witnessed first hand what this terrible disease can do to a person. We have seen her physical abilities decline rapidly. She however, almost never complains. She is still such a wonderful example of Christ-like love and service. She is constantly trying to find ways to do things for other people, to make them feel loved, or to comfort them when they need comfort. Though her legs no longer work and her pain at times seems unbearable, she continues to find ways to inspire and uplift those around her.


I know that Amy's time on this earth is short and it will be so hard to say goodbye... for now... to my sweetheart and eternal companion. But I am so grateful for each day I get to spend with her. It is such a blessing to be in her presence at this time. I am continuing to learn so much from her each day. I pray each and every day for her comfort. I pray continuously that I may learn to be more like her, that I may learn from her what it means to truly be a servant of our Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. And I pray for the strength to endure my own trials with a smile on my face and faith in my heart that all will be well. I pray for the courage to persevere through the difficult times ahead. and most of all I pray that some day I may truly be worthy of the wonderful blessing of being the companion to one of God's elect ladies here on this earth.

With all my love and devotion to my beautiful wife,

Love,
Gary Jackson

16 comments:

  1. Gary, I too have learned how life can change in an instant. One day I had a husband, and the next day I did not. I have raised my children alone for the last five years, and just remarried last month. I know it is nothing in comparison to what you are going through. Even though it seems unfair and so difficult,these experiences we are given do have a purpose, and really gives us the opportunity to build faith and strength.I am so sorry you are having to endure all of this. I see that you and Amy really have strong faith and give each other strength. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I will continue to pray for you and your family.

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  2. May God comfort you in this time of need.

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  3. Thank you for sharing. You inspire us all to be better. I am so grateful for your example and for your friendship! We will continue to pray for you and your family! We love you!

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  4. Thanks, Gary that is beautiful and truly inspiring. Amy, you are an amazing woman. I am so blessed to have been able to see you in action these past few years and be the beneficiary of your kindness and caring. I love you. Don't forget the kids are always welcome to play basketball over here. Love, Lilon

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  5. Amy, I have tears in my eyes as I can feel the love that your sweet husband has for you. Know that I am constantly thinking about you and your family and that you are always in my prayers.
    Thanks for the lessons you have taught me. I love you and I am so thankful and blessed to call you Friend. Ann Stewart

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  6. What an amazing love the two of you share! You're strength is amazing. Amy, I hope that you will be able to have comfort and enjoy your time with as little pain as possible. You are incredible and I can not imagine what many things you are going through. I too can see the amazing amount of love Gary has for you. You have helped me to remember the simple joys in life. Heavenly Father loves you and you are such an example to everyone! Thank you! You are inspiring! Gary, I hope that you may find comfort and peace. I know you must have many thoughts of what lies ahead. I can't imagine how difficult this would be. You are so strong! Heavenly Father loves you and He will bless you and your family. Families are forever! I will continue to pray for your family.

    Love,
    Shezrae

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  7. Thank you for sharing this journey with our community. I don't know Amy well but have appreciated her service at school and have been impressed over the years with her out-going nature and kind spirit. My family will be praying for your family.

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  8. Dear Amy and Gary,
    I am so grateful that I got to know the two of you when you were so generously taking care of Grandma Jackson in the last months of her life. I saw then what a charitable angel you were, Amy, and thought it was amazing that you could offer to bring Gary's grandma into such a busy household as yours, when she needed fulltime care. I didn't realize then that she was only one of the many you have helped and uplifted in your brief journey here on the earth. Who would have ever imagined that only five short years later you would be so close to meeting her on the other side? I am so sad for your family, especially having lost my mother as one of six children, at the age of 14. But what a glowing and enduring example and legacy you are leaving for them, and what an inspiration you are to the rest of us. And, even though these last two months have been so difficult, I am glad that your family has had some time of preparation, of a final wonderful trip together, and a chance for bidding farewell, rather than losing you suddenly without warning, as my siblings and I lost our mother.
    I am grateful that I got to visit with you briefly at Smith's recently, as you waited for Gary in the van outside. Your courageous spirit shone brightly then, as it has obviously shone for so many throughout your life. Soon the horrible pain will be over, and you will be in the presence of the Lord, who will surely say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." I am sorry that I haven't been able to help, due to my own health problems, but I do send my love and prayers, as well as my respect and admiration for both of you. May God bless all of your family, and all those who love you.
    Paula Standifird

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  9. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts. May God continue to watch over you and your family. May you know of your worth and that you are loved. I pray for you and your beautiful family. God Bless Amy.

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  10. Our prayers are with you, Jackson family... may you have much peace and comfort at this time.

    Love, The Huish Family

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  11. Thank you for your example of strength and love for each other. You are truly inspiring and make me believe in the human spirit even more every day.

    Love,
    Tonya Edvalson

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  12. My heart goes out to you, your family and sweet Amy! Even though I've never met her, she is truly an inspiration! May the Lord bless all of you as you spend each day together! Thanks for the update.

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  13. Thank you. Amy you are blessed to have such a wonderful hubby and beautiful kids! You are in our prayers. :o)

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  14. Your Wallsburg family sends their love!!! Grama Leone keeps us updated.

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  15. I'm 55-year-old from Paris, I was diagnosed with second-stage liver cancer following a scheduled examination to monitor liver cirrhosis. I had lost a lot of weight. A CT scan revealed three tumors; one in the center of my liver in damaged tissue and two in healthy portions of my liver. No chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment was prescribed due to my age, the number of liver tumors. One month following my diagnosis I began taking 12 (350 point) Salvestrol supplements per day, commensurate with my body weight. This comprised six Salvestrol Shield (350 point) capsules and six Salvestrol Gold (350 point) capsules, spread through the day by taking two of each capsule after each main meal. This level of Salvestrol supplementation (4,000 points per day) was maintained for four months. In addition, I began a program of breathing exercises, chi exercises, meditation, stretching and stress avoidance. Due to the variety of conditions that I suffered from, I received ongoing medical examinations. Eleven months after commencing Salvestrol supplementation But all invalid so I keep searching for a herbal cure online that how I came across a testimony appreciating Dr Itua on how he cured her HIV/Herpes, I contacted him through email he listed above, Dr Itua sent me his herbal medicine for cancer to drink for two weeks to cure I paid him for the delivering then I received my herbal medicine and drank it for two weeks and I was cured until now I'm all clear of cancer, I will advise you to contact Dr Itua Herbal Center On Email...drituaherbalcenter@gmail.com. WhatsApps Number...+2348149277967. If you are suffering from Diseases listed below,

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Thanks for commenting! Amy is truly uplifted by all the words of love and encouragement you share.