My name is Amber, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s/Colitis when I was 17. I had a few near death experiences at my young age but never any major surgeries.
I got married at 22, and in two years I had two beautiful little girls. I started getting extremely sick and was taken to the hospital. My small bowel ruptured and I had to be taken into surgery. Two weeks later, after finding that I was loosing a lot of blood, I found out I had three holes in my colon, which brought on another surgery. My colon was removed and I had an ileostomy placed. I got to go home for a short time until we found out that my incision was full of infection, this required another surgery. I was sent back home a few days later but my stomach started hemorrhaging. I was rushed to the hospital. I was put into the ICU. Two days later I found out I was bleeding internally. I had to be life flighted. Before my flight, my left lung collapsed due to a central line in my chest. I was taken to a trauma center where I had a six day stay. Coils were put in my rectal artery to stop the bleeding and a chest tube was also placed.
A few months later I was told I had Cancer on my spine, the doctors found a tumor. A few months later I was having my lower spine reconstructed. The tumor came back benign. At this time I was also going through a divorce. I have had eight surgeries in 16 months. I had many ICU stays, blood transfusions, and many times where I was near death. I am proud to say “I may have had many surgeries, and I may have come ever so close to death, but I AM ALIVE!!!”
I have two beautiful and amazing girls, and I am one proud single mommy!! I am in school working on my degree in corrections. I want to be a probation and parole officer. I also would like to get my story out to reach others and give them inspiration, I want also to be a speaker. This is not by any means my full testimony, but I hope it has touched you somehow. Stay strong everyone, it can be done! I have a life treating disease but it has NOT beaten me…I AM A SURVIVOR AND I WILL WIN!!!!
Amber
Ohio
Submitted 6-19-2013
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
This story is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
Amber: you are one of the strongest and most amazing people I have had the privilege to know. Your fight with such a debilitating disease at such a young age has been tough for you and your family. But you are so strong, and your faith in God and his healing power has helped get you through your struggles and kept you here on this earth to raise your beautiful girls. My admiration of you shall continue for the rest of my life. And I am so happy the our daughter chose you as one of her best friends. Continued health and happiness for you Amber, and keep on fighting like a girl!
Joe: That had to be one of the nicest things!! It brought tears to my eyes! I am surrounded by so many loving and wonderful people, and I feel truly blessed! I love the Fahncke family to pieces and I always will! Thank you again and much love and happiness to you all!
Amber you don’t know me, I saw this posted on your cousin Jessica’s facebook. I used to work with her, she is an amazing woman herself 🙂 But wow!! What an incredible story! What a journey you have been on and still so full of life, hope and wanting to reach out to others! May God continue to bless you and your little girls! Thanks for sharing. Your determination is truly inspiring and it teaches others to have perspective on their own lives. Continued good health to you! 🙂
Julie: Thank you for that! That truly means a lot! God has given me a wonderful testimony to share with the world. And I am forever grateful for that! And yes, Jessica is a very amazing women as well, I love her dearly. God Bless hun! 🙂
An incredible fight to stay alive. I am a cancer survivor, I get down about my issues. I have to remind myself that things could be worse. You are an inspiring woman , it reminds me of how strong one person can be, and to keep my chin up. Keep fighting!
Kerry: Thank you so much for that! Yes, it is hard at times not to get down about what we go through. I just keep in the back of my mind there are things in this life we need to live for, and we have to trust and believe that God will protect us, and his will is the best way, and he will never leave us. And yes, keep your chin up hun, we can do this!!!! 🙂
Amber– I knew you had gone through some stuff, but not to this extend. Your story melts my soul, but warms my heart. Love to you!
Thank you Jess!!! 🙂 Love to you as well hun 🙂
All this time after high school this is what you been through?! Damn chick…. thought active duty Army life was hard. Try up-teen surgeries, two kids, a divorce, and cancer on the same plate. Stay up chick, good to see you when I was in town.
Thank You Eyan! Yes, this has been life after high school, but I am living life to the fullest. And thanks be to God that the Cancer came back benign. It was good to see you as well 🙂
I am not surprised at your strength Amber.I have always known that You are a fighter.I commend you for all that you are.I love you girl.
Amber ,
You are a very beautiful woman and a lovely person , ♡CHEERS TO YOU !!♡
May your knowledge of survival , love for life and the will you thrive on that brought you to this point of appreciation of where you are today be taught to your children ! Thank you for sharing this unique gift to all !
With love from Québec, Canada
Brigitte Estelle xxxx