I’m Amanda Holland and I live in Anchorage, Alaska. My husband Logan and I have been married since 2011. When we were married I was blessed to become a mom to his son, Logan M. (18 years old), and we have two beautiful little girls: Madilyn (5) and Hope (6 months). I’m also a dog mom to Skye. I’m a Head Start teacher and was recently promoted to help train new teachers. I love that I’m able to make a difference in these kids’ lives and hopefully make a positive impact on their future.
I was diagnosed with EHE in November 2014, when Madilyn was 4 months old, which made it even more terrifying. I had just had what I was told was some cysts removed from my shin and ankle and while having the stitches removed the PA casually says, “Well it’s not what we thought it was, but I don’t think you’ll need chemo right away.” I was trying to comprehend what he was saying as baby Madilyn was sleeping in the car seat on the floor. I asked what it was and his response was, “Well I don’t know how to say it and I don’t want you to go and google it.” Pathology from the Cleveland Clinic determined that it was in fact EHE. I was sent to Seattle in January 2015, to make sure there were clean margins, as my local oncologist had to google EHE because he had never heard of it. I had more tumors pop up and was sent back to Seattle in January 2017 to have them removed again. Scans have shown my lungs and liver to be clear. I’m currently on a “wait and watch” plan.
The thing about EHE is that you will never be completely “in the clear.” It will always be lurking in the background waiting to pop up. There is no set treatment plan. Something that helps one person may not help someone else. This is why The EHE Foundation is so important to me. We are raising money to help find treatments and, hopefully, a cure.
