Rise to the Challenge

By Amanda Brunson

1 min read

This month has been very challenging. To be transparent it's been hell on earth and I say that because the biggest below was losing my father this month.

A year of pruning

I have to say 2022 has been a year of pruning. I always say things happen for a reason, so when my job started letting people go; I took it as a blessing; even though I LOVED my job!!! You don't hear a ton of people say that.

So I took that extra time to really help/focus on my dad, who supported me through my blood cancer.

Then my Dad's health took a very fast and quick turn. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, giving him six months to live, and in one week my dad passed. I'm doing this video to encourage someone that even in your darkest moments you still have the strength within you even when you are at a standstill.

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Katelynn Bauer Moderator & Contributor
The love you have for your father is beautiful to watch you express. I hope one day all of us have some one that loves us as much as you love your Dad. My condolences again Amanda, I can't imagine. But I know he's with you and must be immensely proud of you. <3 Thank you for sharing him with us. Warm wishes, Katelynn 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Katelynn Bauer" user-id="3653385"/> 🥹😭thank you💞
KimberlyMM Member
My condolences to you 🙏🏾. You have been in my prayers. With the kind of love that you express for your dad, I can only imagine the love he had for you. This is even more magnified by the love that God has for you both. I thank God for your continued strength, for your transparency, for finding the light of every circumstance, and for your love. You are a blessing to me and know that God will continue to bless you. Keep your beautiful smile on the outside and in your heart. I know it helps to dress up and look good on the outside to help lift our spirits on the inside. So I must let you know that your makeup in the video was flawless. You are absolutely beautiful and glowing.
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="KimberlyMM" user-id="4564334"/> thank you and thank you💞🫂 I’m doing my best to keep moving forward. Thank you so much for your prayers I greatly appreciate you, I can use all the prayers I can get. I’m definitely moving with a broken heart 💔 ❤️‍🩹. I miss my dad so much😔 with tears in my eyes I put one foot in front of the other 👣 By the Grace of God I haven’t lost my mind and I continue to get things done 🤍💛 there are days I don’t even know how I did it or doing, but I know it’s not of my own strength.🫂🫂🫂🫂
2. Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="KimberlyMM" user-id="4564334"/> I couldn't agree more with everything you said here.
Daniel Malito Moderator
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> I am sending you all the love vibes and comfort I can muster. I can't imagine how that feels - after us going through our own cancer journeys and then getting hit with this out of left field. But, like you, I think everything happens for a reason and you are right - it probably was so you could spend the time with your Dad, and it's wonderful that you got to. You know I am always here to chat. Keep on keepin' on, DPM ❤
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Daniel Malito" user-id="3641972"/> 🫂🫂🫂😭🫂🫂🫂🫂💜thank you ❤️‍🩹🐼
Dennis Golden Moderator
So sorry to learn of your dad's passing. The death of a loved one is so hard on many levels. With my wife's passing I found that grief comes at you unexpectedly in waves . There are good days and the not so good days. My advice - embrace it all. Try to stay active and be with people - many of whom will surprise you with a new depth of love and kindness. Please know my prayers and thoughts are with you during this time of grief . ... Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
Sending you positive vibes! I'm so sorry Amanda, when my mom died of lung cancer within a few months of being diagnosed, the last thing on my mind was some myeloma. I so relate to the rise to the challenge when our loved ones are going through their own health trials. I always say when it rains it pours, and we have to learn to regroup. When my mom passed maybe this is how my advocacy truly kicked in, by sharing of ourselves to help others get through. Your dad would be so proud, your padre is by your side as you take each day (as I always say) One day at a time! Much XOXO Hugs
Dennis Golden Moderator
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Wanted to pass this along ... A prayer my wife said often May the light of God ...Surround you May the love of God ...Enfold you May the power of God ... Protect you May God place His Healing Hands upon you and help you heal May the presence of God watch over you Wherever you are God is -- Amen 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> Amen and Amen 🙏🏾 I’m definitely going to start praying this prayer what a beautiful & strong prayer🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾💜 thank you for sharing your Wife’s prayer with me what an amazing gift in many ways. I’m always keeping you in prayer as well.🫂🫂🫂🤍
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. That was such a short notice, but then again, what would have been enough. We are all here for you if you need us and I know you have other support. Of course you have your dad to talk to and his hand will continue to guide you. Sending you lots of hugs. Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
Thank you soo much🫂it isn’t easy I miss him so much‼️I’ve been crying for him every day. But when I am weak, God makes me strong. I was not ready for any of this kind of news. I definitely appreciate community you all help me get through some dark moments. I love you all💚🐼
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> This is definitely encouragement 💜💜💜I’m still job searching and your encouragement came just in time🫂🫂🫂thank you 💗
2. Dennis Golden Moderator
 With the many emotional hits that have come along in my life both recently and in the past few years I decided it was time to meet with a PTSD specialist . All I will say to anyone who has experienced PTSD is --- its quite remarkable how quickly they work with you to help you replace negative thoughts and memories with more positive thoughts and memories.
Susan Gonsalves Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> I'm so sorry about your father. You are rising to the challenge and he's proud of you. I lost both my parents and I tell ya--I still talk to my mom every day 10 years later. He can hear you! As for your job loss, that was meant to be so that you would have that time to re-shift your focus on your dad and healing. Something better will come along for you. It always does. Take care of yourself. 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Susan Gonsalves" user-id="3653135"/> 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🥹💜🐼
Ramae Hamrin Moderator & Contributor
Ah, I was crying right along with you for so many reasons. I didn't have the presence of a loving dad for most of my life, but I was there when he died. He was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma and passed away within a month of diagnosis. In many ways, I was glad it went quickly and his suffering wasn't long and drawn out. But I wish we would have had more time to maybe try for a better relationship. I am so happy for you that you had the dad I've always longed for, but I understand how heartbreaking it would be to move on without a person that was so instrumental to your life. I can tell your dad is amazing because of how amazing you are. Your smile and attitude always make my day, and I am STILL doing 30 min of exercise every day (go Panda club!) because of you!! You will get through this, Amanda, and use it for good, as you always do. And I do believe your dad will be with you every step of the way. Big hugs to you 🤍🤍🤍🤍 -- Ramae
Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭😭🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂Panda Club‼️💪🏾I’m sorry about your Dad as well. I also say the same thing my Dad did not suffer but I wasn’t ready for him to leave me either. Transparency, at times I feel like a loss cub looking for her Dad. I wish things could have been different with your relationship with your Dad. I am glad that you were there with him at the end. Love 💗 even til the end (I hoe your not offended by that) 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🧡🧡🧡🐼
Matt Goldman Member
Amanda, I am so sorry for your loss.
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Matt Goldman" user-id="3648536"/> ♥️
Paula Rosado Moderator
Love you too <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/>. Those photos are beautiful. What a wonderful Dad! I can imagine how proud he was (and will always be) of you. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending my condolences with big virtual hugs. 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Maria Valente" user-id="3654780"/> thank you 🫂🫂🫂🫂❤️🐼
Deb Wesloh Moderator & Contributor
So sorry about your loss. It sounds like you and your dad had an amazing relationship. 
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Deb Wesloh" user-id="3642132"/> it was AMAZING so amazing I never thought this day would come, I thought he would pass at 100 because my grandparents passed in there late 90’s😭❤️🫂
Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> - Thinking of you and hope you are doing OK and ... beginning to find some moments of peace... Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
1. Amanda Brunson Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="DennisGolden" user-id="3641422"/> thank you 🫂💗I find peace her and there. Finding my way through Unchart territory
2. Dennis Golden Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Amanda Brunson" user-id="4145474"/> Somehow we get through it - In many ways its like getting over the shock of being diagnosed with blood-cancer.