Make-A-Wish grants Buffalo teen’s dream

Amanda Gonzalez’ family -- little sisters Lupita, Esmerelda, and Anna, and parents Jose and Sonia Hernandez Gonzalez -- join Amanda and Make-A-Wish volunteer Frances Collier on the tiny porch of Amanda’s Library. Van’Go’photo BHS freshman Amanda Gonzalez is the proud new owner of a small private library, thanks to the Make-AWish Foundation, a national charity which works to fulfill the dreams of young cancer patients.

Last fall, seventeenyear old Amanda, a freshman at BHS, began to suffer with sleeplessness, loss of weight, coughing and general weakness. She found that she could not lift her two-year-old sister. After visiting a clinic in Palestine she was diagnosed as anemic, but when she did not improve, an examination at the Aguirre Family Care Clinic led to further tests in Bryan and a more frightening announcement. In January, Amanda was diagosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of cancer, at Stage III. "It was in my neck, stomach and chest, but the great thing was that it was NOT in my blood or lungs," the teen recalls. She underwent surgery to put in a port to receive her chemotherapy treatments and necessary blood transfusions. Amanda began treatments at Medical City Children's Hospital in Dallas.

Amanda missed the next semester of school, as she was frequently hospitalized. Amanda estimates that she has been hospitalized seven or eight times since being diagnosed with the disease. As a home-bound student, BISD teacher Sarah Boyle came to Amanda's home on a regular basis. "We worked together well," Amanda explains. "When I had trouble with Algebra, she helped me. She kept me from getting behind, and if I had any trouble I would call her." She has stayed busy by listening to music, and helping with her little sisters. Three-year-old Esmerelda proudly demonstrated the A-B-C song which her big sister had taught her.

Unknown to the teen, the hospital had recommended Amanda as a candidate for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In March, Frances Collier, a volunteer "wish granter" from Fairfield contacted the Buffalo teen with the news that she could make a wish -- and it would be granted.

"I thought right away: a LIBRARY! I love to read. I LOVE to read," Amanda repeats emphatically. She was asked to submit a list of her favorite books and authors, which she recites easily: "Stephanie Meyer, Stephen King, Lisa Harrison's "Clique" series, the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants... mysteries, horror!"

In addition to providing the books, the Make-AWish Foundation wanted to provide a physical building to house Amanda's Library. Working with Ulrich Barns of Cleburne, Texas they selected a little log cabin, and last Friday the 8' x 12' Log Hideout was delivered to the Gonzalez home. The little building boasts a porch with steps, shuttered windows, lattice skirting, and a Dutch door. Inside, there is a single "reading room", and a tiny loft. It is finished out with plywood insulation and electricity, and contains a small heating/air conditioning unit.

BHS Principal Don Elsom and NHS members Creagor Elsom and Jordan Nix volunteered on Friday, hanging curtains and assembling furnishings. The library is outfitted with book shelves, bean bag chairs, a rug and reading lamp. A tiny table is a perfect fit for Amanda's littlest sisters, Lupita and Esmerelda. Amanda loves to read to the little girls and specifically requested some books for them in her "wish list".

Amanda has responded well to her medical treatments. Her blood counts are up and she is eating better, and she is looking forward to returning to school with her classmates in the fall. She has enjoyed regaining her strength and is looking forward to the time when she can add favorite activities like roller skating, going out, and biking. She also wants to learn to play piano and might try out for band.

This tough teen is currently undergoing another round of chemotherapy which began June 24th. She will go every two weeks. "So far I've been handling it pretty well, but it brings my blood counts down," Amanda explains matter-of-factly. That spirit impresses everyone who meets Amanda, including her Make-A-Wish liaison, Frances Collier, who has enjoyed getting to know this special young lady. "Her maturity -- the way she's dealing with her illness. She has an upbeat attitude and she've very enthusiastic about this library."

Amanda sums up, "I'd like to thank the doctors that helped me and my dad (Jose Gonzales) who helped me and encouraged me to keep going -- not bring myself down. And my stepmom (Sonia Hernandez Gonzalez) also took care of me."

* * * The Make-A-Wish Foundation is looking for more volunteers to serve in this area. Check out their web site.