Bruce Abrahamse

Bruce Abrahamse

January 24, 2025

Terminal Cancer Patient Who ‘Did Everything Right’ Shares the One Regret That Changed Her Life

At 31 years of age, Amanda Hedges believed that she still had her whole life ahead of her. As with many people her age, Amanda had a long list of various things she still wanted to do in the future. However, all of that changed when Amanda was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October 2024. Amanda recently expressed her cancer regrets and shared how she would have done things differently if she could do it all over again. 

An Unexpected Diagnosis

doctor's report
Credit: Pexels

Amanda had been taking medication for anxiety and had decided to increase her dosage. This led to her experiencing mild headaches that disappeared after taking a few painkillers. However, the doctors decided to scan her brain and it was at this point that she was met with an unexpected diagnosis – there was a cancerous tumor growing in her brain. Even more surprising, it was an aggressive type of brain cancer known as Glioblastoma. This type of terminal cancer is usually observed in older individuals in the 60 to 80-year-old age group. Sadly, people with Glioblastoma typically pass away anywhere between three and 24 months after receiving their diagnosis. 

Amanda’s Cancer Regrets

Amanda after treatment
Credit: GoFundMe

Amanda then began her treatments, which initially involved six weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These treatments were accompanied by several undesirable side effects, such as breathlessness and nausea. With her days starting to run out, Amanda spent much time contemplating how she wanted to spend her last days on Earth and her cancer regrets. “None of my old bosses or colleagues are sitting with me while I do chemo. It’s my mum and dad and friends that are here supporting me through this”, she lamented. She then continued expressing her regrets of the past, saying “I wish I could live again so I could stop worrying about the little things and enjoy myself. I would spend more time with the people who actually mattered, make more of an effort to meet someone and have kids, and travel. If I had my time again I would do everything differently.”

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How Amanda Wants to Pass Her Final Days

Amanda in a new wig
Credit: GoFundMe

While she may have many cancer regrets, Amanda refuses to spend her final days only thinking about how the past could have been different. There are still several things she would like to do before she passes. “I really want to stay at a hotel on the beach and just listen to the waves and forget that I am dying. Forget that I am me. Be someone else for a few days and just relax and have fun”, she said. Amanda also has fond memories of seeing Steve Irwin at the Australia Zoo when she was a kid. She expressed that she has always wanted to return to the zoo and see Steve’s son, Robert, perform a show there. 

Turning Her Cancer Regrets Into Future Dreams

hotel by the ocean
Credit: Pexels

Amanda hopes to make the most of her final days instead of dwelling on her cancer regrets. In fact, she has even started a GoFundMe so that she would have the needed funds to try to live her final days to the fullest of her ability. If you would like to contribute to her fund, you can find the link here. Every single dollar will help Amanda enjoy her last days, providing a much-needed respite from the after-effects of her therapies. 

Signs of a Cancerous Brain Tumor

brain scan
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There are several signs of a cancerous brain tumor to look out for. These include headaches, seizures, personality or behavioral changes, numbness or weakness in one area of the body, loss of balance, and loss of hearing. Other symptoms also include changes in vision, difficulty swallowing or talking, vomiting, nausea, depression, and mood swings. However, brain tumors don’t always cause these symptoms, with the most prevalent type of brain cancer in adults growing relatively slowly.

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The Bottom Line

doctor with brain scan
Credit: Pexels

We all have regrets in life and it is no different with Amanda’s cancer regrets. The biggest difference is that you still have time to make the changes in your life that will allow you to enjoy your time more. Work is important, but don’t forget to make space for lifestyle as well. Life is short – make sure to spend your time wisely, so that you too won’t end up spending your last days on earth in regret about the past.