The past four years have been a journey of ups and downs for Amy Cooper and her family. As she battles yet another new diagnosis of cancer – Epithelioid trophoblastic tumor (ETT) – a form of gestational trophoblastic cancer, Amy is sharing her story now to raise awareness, show the family’s appreciation to those who have given them encouragement along the way, and to let people know that although this diagnosis is rare, and the time prognosis is unknown, it does not mean she is out of options for treatment. It just means they will continue to move forward one day, and one treatment at a time.
With that being said, her husband, Jason, would like to remind everyone, “Please be careful of what you say about her situation, because we have children…we don’t keep anything from our kids, but we don’t want them hearing false information, either.”
“We were told, ETT is something you will be living with,” said Amy, acknowledging the unknown of how this cancer will affect her. But she’s ready to fight and is keeping her and her family’s outlook positive.
Amy’s journey began in 2017 with a visit to the doctor where they told her at 45-years-old, she was pregnant. A few days later, they changed the diagnosis to cancer – Squamous cell carcinoma to be exact. When the cancer spread to her lungs and kidney, they changed the diagnosis again to Choriocarcinoma, which is a fast-growing cancer that occurs in a woman's uterus. Only 5% of female cancers are this kind, but it has an 80+% cure rate. But the first round of chemo for it didn’t take. Neither did the second round.
“It just kept coming back,” said Amy.
She has undergone years of treatment including several rounds of chemo, a DNC, surgery to remove a cyst from the vaginal wall, lung surgeries to remove cancer, and immunotherapy. Then in March she was diagnosed with ETT. Because this cancer is so rare, there are no treatment studies, only case studies thus far.
“It’s kind of been a whirlwind of stuff,” said Jason.
Through all of it, they have been grateful to be able to do the majority of the treatments in Ames, under the direction of doctors in Rochester. Although Amy has been to Rochester a few times, COVID changed some of the playing rules for her treatment. Doctors wanted to keep her compromised immune system as safe as possible, so they worked out a plan with Amy’s doctor at Mary Greeley in Ames, a facility that both she and Jason feel comfortable with and are grateful for. It was especially a blessing in disguise because during the time of strict COVID restrictions, when nobody could get in to see Amy, the staff at Mary Greely filled the role of family for her.
“This last year was really scary – having cancer during a pandemic,” said Amy. “I’m glad I could get a vaccine shot.”
During one of her trips to Rochester this summer, there was more bad news for Amy. A scan to look for evidence of cancer cells led to another discovery, and Amy was called to come back immediately. They had found a 4 inch blood clot in the middle of her chest. A few days in the hospital helped her to heal, but it is something both Rochester and Ames will have to keep an eye on going forward.
Amy is grateful that both hospitals are working together to establish the best treatment plan knowing all that they now do about what Amy is dealing with.
“They know there are other treatments to try, they just don’t know exactly which one they will use when,” explained Jason.
As for right now, Amy is finished with chemo and is using the time to build up energy as she fights different side effects since chemo stays in your body for a while. For this reason, after much consideration, she made the difficult decision to spend the energy she does have focusing on her healing and her family. That meant she had to give up a job that she loved, working with the people of Robert Blue Middle School as the secretary.
“The school has been wonderful. They really worked with Amy,” said Jason as to their flexibility when it came to Amy’s treatments and time needed away. “They always seem to be looking out for the best interest of their staff.”
Amy agreed, quietly, knowing she would miss them seeing them all on a daily basis very much.
So it’s no surprise then to hear that it is Amy’s friends and co-workers from school that have reached out to ask the Coopers if they would allow them to help financially by holding a “Cruise for a Cause” this coming Saturday Night, Sept. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. in the Robert Blue Middle School parking lot. Any and all cars or vehicles of any sort are encouraged to come out, line up on the north side of the football field, and make a freewill donation to participate in the cruise that will follow Fort Ave. past the Cooper’s home, then turn east on 2nd St. SW. The procession will be led by the Eagle Grove Fire Department and Ambulance services. All proceeds will go towards the Coopers’ expenses that are not covered by insurance – like gas, food, and hotel stays.
The Cooper’s were grateful for the offer, but admit they felt a little awkward about giving the okay for the benefit to be held. They are used to being on the other side of things, doing the giving instead of the receiving. But after a lot of thought and prayer, they decided to accept the help being offered to them. Yes, they have great insurance, but realized, with the help of another Pastor friend, that’ it’s okay to be the recipient of help too, offsetting other expenses not covered by insurance.
“We need to be able to receive just as we give,” said Amy. “If we collect more than we need, we will make sure to share the remaining funds with others in need.”
Jason added, “We realize people want to help, and we want them to know how much we appreciate it and that we will use the money responsibly.”
Both Amy and Jason agreed that people have already shown so much generosity throughout their family’s cancer journey with Amy that they can not show their appreciation enough. People have brought meals to the house, have prayed endlessly, and sent cards and gifts. The Coopers even received a gas card in the mail anonymously. When Jason listed his vehicle for sale online and shared a bit of his story why he needed to sell it, one stranger sent money in the mail. And when they went to buy a more reliable vehicle to take Amy back and forth to treatments in Ames and appointments in Rochester, the car dealer, knowing their story, gave Jason and Amy first access to the vehicle, wanting to do what he could as he had lost a son to cancer. All of these people, and the people at the schools, the church, and the community have touched the Coopers’ lives in such a big way, perhaps more than they will ever know.
“It does feel better to give than to receive, however, because receiving makes you feel awkward, especially when you are receiving grace, which is an undeserving gift,” admitted Jason.
It’s no surprise then how the thought is for them for the Cruising for a Cause event this weekend. But they are grateful for all who organized it and all who will come out and participate in the drive or just watch from their lawns as people drive by.
The Cooper family is also grateful for their faith and the trust they have that God is with them on this journey.
“We couldn't be doing this without our trust and faith that life is a gift, but eternal life is a great gift,” said Jason, with Amy shaking her head in agreement. “We must put our faith and trust in God’s promise…that there’s an eternal life that will be far better than we can imagine.”
