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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 1998)
Cleveland fighting battle with rare disease AMANDA from page 9 the body” Nebraska Director of Athletic Medicine Lonnie Albers said. “In Amanda’s case, her bone marrow facto ry has gone on strike.” Ideally, Cleveland needs a bone marrow transplant It is the only cure for the disease. But doctors have not been able to find a suitable donor. So as a second option, Cleveland is receiving treat ments several times a week as needed at the hospital and receives blood transfu sions when necessary. The problem with the transfusions, Albers said, is that white blood cells don’t survive the transfer. Treatment troubles Albers said doctors will know in four weeks how effective the treatments have been. But right now, Cleveland is weak. Her white blood cell count has fall en so quickly that she must wear a mask over her nose and mouth when she leaves the house. Sydney Cleveland, Amanda’s father, said that if she were cut or bruised in just the right way, she could bleed to death. Cleveland’s parents have placed air filters in their house and have kept all rooms extremely sterile in an attempt to reduce her exposure to germs that may cause infections. But the changes in their daughter have been hard to deal with. “It’s been really difficult for me because I’m not used to seeing Amanda sick like this,” her mother, Doris Cleveland, said. “She can’t really do anything for herself. Sometimes she tries, but I make her stop because I can tell how much it hurts her because she just gets this pained expression on her face. That’s really devastating to me. “I wish I could do more. Sometimes she hurts so much that I can’t touch her, and all I want to do is hold her.” Doris Cleveland takes constant care of her daughter, helping with everything from walking to going to the bathroom. Often, Amanda can’t sleep because of her constant aching muscles. EamUy support Sunday, she suffered a setback. Cleveland contracted a virus, and her parents had to rush her to the hospital after she complained of chest pains and a temperature of 105 degrees. She col lapsed upon her arrival. “I was doing pretty good and all of a sudden it happened,” Cleveland said. “Just like that “But my doctors are nice. I get frus trated. They say I’m doing a good job, but I don’t feel good.” Watching his daughter suffer has been difficult, Sydney Cleveland said. Last week, Amanda was unable to walk for a brief time because of the pain in her legs, and Sydney had to get a wheelchair for her. “I’ve always tried to tell her to appreciate every day because you don’t know what will happen the next day. You can be doing extremely well one week, and the next week you can be lying in tiie bed about to die,” Sydney said. Coping in Lincoln Cleveland’s teammates have also had to learn to cope with her disease. NU Assistant Coach Dee Gibson said the Huskers have sent her cards and packages, and Cleveland said she tries to talk to NU guard Monet Williams every other day. “Everybody loves her,” NU assis tant coach Dee Gibson said. “She just had an infectious personality. She was a happy-go-lucky kid - real outspoken.” Cleveland sometimes watches the Huskers when they play on television, and die wanted to travel to Waco, Texas, when they played Baylor. She didn’t go because she can’t be exposed to large crowds. And often, she said, basketball is the furthest thing from her mind. Williams said she believes Cleveland will be back in Lincoln next year. But Cleveland isn’t concerned with that right now. “I don’t think too much about it any more,” she said. “I have too marry other things on my mind.” But as Cleveland continues to fight her battle with aplastic anemia, she appreciates the support of her team mates. “I want to thank everyone there for their support,” she said. “I know I will be stronger when this is over. I know you have to take life seriously.” _i Engineering & Technology Career Fair ‘98 I Over 75 companies from Nebraska and across the nationl Thursday, February 5, 1998 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Wick Alumni Center AND Centennial Room, City Campus Union m addition to talking with Engineering a Technology students and alums, companies have indicated an interest in students and alums from Computer Science, Mathematics, and science areas such as Chemistry. Biology, A Physics. ^:y .; ,x , ,, ■: .. . , ; ; ... -V . ;, ; I,! , : , , ■ - ■ -■ . ,.; , . . Civil Engineering Data Processing (Analysis/Programming) ■ Employment Opportunities Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Roads invite you to stop by our table at the Engineering and Technology Fair on February 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are the state agencyj-esponsible for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and administration of Nebraska's highway system. We employ more than 2,200 people across the state. Our entiy level positions offer excellent benefits and possible relocation assistance. We also provide student work-study programs. Entry level positions include: • Data Processing (Business ft Engineering Applications) • Engineering Stop by the Department of Roads booth/or information! BOEING COMPANY - | , ST. IOUIS I Come visit our booth at the Engineering & Technology Career Fair '98 at the City Campus Union/Wick Alumni Center on Thursday, 5 Feb 98, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Learn about exciting full-time, co-op and summer intern positions with the largest manufacturer of military aircraft in the world. We are recruiting candidates with the following backgrounds. • Computer Science • Computer Engineering • Electrical Engineering I • Industrial Engineering .ill • I • /wecnamcai engineering • Manufacturing Engineering • Business Administration • Accounting/Finance -
