Community Rallies For Northern Middle School Teacher After Surgery Complications

2 photos of amanda cain with family members — Source: Callie Waggamon

OWINGS, Md. — Amanda Cain, a social studies teacher at Northern Middle School, has been hospitalized since November after a minor procedure resulted in severe pancreatitis. Now, Cain and her family are focused on getting her home.

According to Cain’s sister, Callie Waggamon, Cain went in for a procedure in November. Pancreatitis was listed as one possible complication – about 10%-15% of patients have complications of the pancreas, but most of the time, it’s mild inflammation that resolves with time and home care.

In Cain’s case, the symptoms “spiraled” and turned into severe pancreatitis, inflammation that can cause severe pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as lasting damage to the pancreas and the surrounding organs.

Cain is doing well but has been essentially bedridden for four months. She will need to spend time in rehab to recover lost muscle health and receive occupational therapy. She still has a long road ahead before she can go home, let alone back to work.

But due to her hospital stay, Cain exhausted her leave options from work. Her fellow teachers donated their leave to her, but she has also reached the maximum amount of donated leave she can accept according to county rules. Without a paycheck, Cain will soon have to pay her insurance premiums out of pocket, leaving her family with few options.

These friends and family members started a GoFundMe to help Cain and her family cover medical costs and make up for her lost paychecks. They’re hoping to raise $20,000, and have so far raised nearly $15,000.

“We know a lot of people are on hard times, so we know not everyone has the means to donate. Even sharing the information would be greatly helpful,” Waggamon said.

Waggamon describes her sister as “very family- and community-oriented” and said that no matter where they go, her students find her and come up to talk to her. She also has a caring group of friends from the school that enjoys taking trips together and participating in community events. She said more than anything, Cain is ready to be back home with her daughters.

Learn more and donate on the GoFundMe page.