She had the vagus nerve stimulator implanted on May 8 of 2000, and we did see a small decrease in the intensity of her seizures.
She had surgery on November 8, 2001, and did extremely well.
Angel Amanda leaves behind her family...though forever in her heart and theirs. There's big Brother Patrick. He really struggled after the death of his sister. He turned 18 in May of 2002 and went off to college on August 24.
Then there is little sister Ashley, who turned 10 on September 2, 2002.. Ashley is a very communicative child and has been writing and drawing since the night Amanda died. They too are forever changed. They both were so helpful with Amanda and grew to be very empathetic and compassionate people because of our experience with Amanda. Then of course there is Mom and Dad. Dad has been competing in triathlons and using exercise to help him cope with the loss of his special daughter. Mom has been reading everything possible. She also put together a beautiful slide tribute and presented it at the Pennsylvania emergency medical services conference in Lancaster, PA, in August of 2002.
This is Ashley with her very dear cousin Lindsay. Ashley is on the right. Lindsay was born 5 days before Amanda, and her mom is Amanda's godmother.
These two pictures were drawn by Ashley. The "window art" was drawn over several hours at the hospital when we were waiting for the organ transplant team. A child life specialist spent so much time with her trying to help her deal with the situation. She was wonderful.
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Ashley drew the second picture on December 31, 2001 (when she was at her Dad's office for a short while). She is very expressive as you can see.
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The Mention of Her Name
The mention of my child's name
~ Author Unknown ~
I miss Amanda so much and cry for her often. I long to see her face, touch her skin, and smell her hair. I long to cradle her in my arms and sing her to sleep. I long to kiss her goodnight........
May bring tears to my eyes,
But it never fails to bring
Music to my ears.
If you really are my friend,
Let me hear the beautiful music
of her name.
It soothes my broken heart
And sings to my soul.
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