Hello Beloved Family and Friends, this is my first blog post since October 2, 2024 and now we will be using a different format.  My children are starting a Caring Bridge and that’s where all the updates will be moving forward. There has been so many ups and downs with Doctor’s advice and treatment options. Many I’ve tried. Side effects that can be tolerated but annoying or worse. My latest prognosis was that my liver disease is progressing and I should contact Hospice. We like to call it extra special care. I’ve been in Palliative Care for several months for pain management. Hospice will give me care in my own home. No more going to MN Oncology for clinic options, bloodwork or treatments. I did make a trip to the ER on Friday morning the 14th of March, looking for pain relief. That made my consideration to finalize entering Hospice. I do need the extra special care. And I’m content with my choice.

Park Nicollet Hospice has been wonderful. I am assigned a doctor, 2 nurses that visit weekly for vitals, consultation, making dosage adjustments as needed.  I have a social worker, massage therapist, music therapist. They are all here for me. Is it challenging to be in this stage? Yes, but I can travel this journey with dignity, less stress and less anxiety.  We all know there are several alternative options out there. We have to be cautious not to challenge my liver at this time. This is the option I’ve chosen.

My children Julie, Josh and Kendra will begin a Caring Bridge so you may all get updates there.  The link will be posted as soon as it’s up and runnng.

No words can express the care, love and support you all give me. I feel so blessed. Love, Sandy 

PRAYER Requests :

  Pain Management

  Restful Sleep

  My kids to manage the Caring Bridge

  Randy and I to continue to have peace 

BE JOYFUL IN HOPE, PATIENT IN AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL IN PRAYER.  ROMANS 12:12

Sandy’s Walk

 A walk I never intended to walk, aren’t we all constantly surprised by life’s twists and turns…..Approaching 65, thinking about setting out a slow unveiling of my retirement walk, it was to be filled with last adventures in the skies with coworkers of 44 years. A few less working days as I enjoyed the joys at home with family, grands and friends. And a new husband after all. Just married in the fall of September 2022, we were setting out plans for what our future held. 

 But Cancer?  Not a journey I saw myself battling. But does anyone?  There it is. Facing you. The words spoken they don’t take back. Now it’s just - look ahead at your new reality and make a plan. Not that other plan you liked so well, But now this one. Details, details. Many are jumbled in my head. I’ll unravel them here over time. But for now, just some simple starting facts.

Liver cancer. Non cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma - HCC for short. A tumor measuring over 5 cm. Nonresectable. Meaning too large for surgical removal.  But there are so many new ways to battle this one. As an April scan revealed, it has not spread to other organs so there is relief in that. No one would ever look at me and think an intruder inhabits my body. I’ve felt pretty normal and looking back over the past year, my symptoms were just annoying other things. But the truth is my new reality. And so on this walk I go. With all of you by my side. I can’t already begin to thank you enough for the outpouring of love and support. I’ll write with information and I’ll write with feeling. But these words are for each of us for I know my fight becomes yours too. As our world of health and well being is one we share. 

My health journey verse is from Psalm 139

You know what I am going to say before I even say it Lord, You go before me and You follow me, you place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me to understand!   Verses 4-6 

May 22, 2024

Full Moon in Amsterdam 1-19-11

No photos taken today but here's one from Xmas Eve - Kendra 22 Josh 26 and Me!!

A rainy day in Amsterdam - view from the hotel - home away from home these days

January 4, 2011

January 3, 2011