Family and Friends

My oldest brother and sister-in-law from Wisconsin are here visiting with me and the family for the next two weeks. It's such a wonderful treat to have them here! Tomorrow my sister and brother-in-law from Alberta arrive and then the whole family will be here - well, not everyone because all the nieces and nephews can't make it at the same time. I'm so excited about being here together - we'll have to take pictures, won't we?
This afternoon I even went out for a short grocery shopping field trip. It was delightful just to be out. As long as I was able to be in my wheelchair it wasn't too tiring. My brother and sister-in-law were along, too, of course.
Oh, I have much to be thankful for and thank you out there for continued prayers and support. Thanks for flowers that just keep pleasantly surprising me. My house looks like a flower garden right now! I love it! I thank God for all of you, caring family and friends!

In God's care,
Sandra

Perseverance

A second day that's good - I like good days when I can keep food down and eat three meals a day. It helps me gain some of my strength back and not feel so weak, as I do now sometimes. This last almost-three week stay in the hospital really weakened me. The infection is still not gone and I have resumed antibiotics once again so I hope this round will get rid of the infection. As long as I'm on antibiotics I will not have chemo so please pray that the cancer doesn't get the upper hand. Pray that I will have the strength to carry on. Like the blessing says in my devotional right now - "Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)

In His strength,
Sandra

My Own Bed!

Tonight I get to sleep in my own bed. How wonderful that will be! I came home from the hospital around 1 p.m. today. I'm so glad to be home again. That was a long and not very pleasant hospital stay. The nurses and doctors were great but I just had some pretty poor days. I hope and pray that things will stay good now. I can tell that I'm weaker now and don't have the same energy but slowly over time, hopefully I can build up my strength again. I'll have to do some good eating!
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine on us - so that Your ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. (Ps.67:1-2)

In His care,
Sandra

It's Me!!

Just a quick note-I have a way to access the Internet so I'm taking advantage of it to just say "hi." I'm still in the hospital but really hoping to go home tomorrow, like REALLY hoping. I'm feeling pretty good and the vomiting, though still present occasionally, is much improved. Please pray for continued healing and being able to go home. Thank you for all your loving support.

Love, Sandra

Code White

One of the times Sandra was in the hospital, we sat around discussing all of the different codes that get called over the intercom at a hospital. Well, it's not so fun when your loved one is involved in one.

What a lot of excitement in Sandra's hospital room the last couple of days. Her room and hallway have been the source of Code White alerts today and yesterday. Because of the location of her room at the end of the hallway, another patient on her wing who tries to escape, thinks Sandra's room is a way to get off the ward. The staff has been fairly quick to respond and no harm was done to Sandra either time. There seems to be a guard posted by the other patient's bed now.

Other than that, we are happy to report Sandra's had 3 better days. No vomiting! There are other symptoms that need to disappear, but your prayers have obviously helped since I put out that request on Sunday morning. Praise God she's been able to keep food down for 3 days.

--written by Ardie

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

This is the verse we all are clinging to today. Sandra's nausea and vomiting have not changed with the switch of medications like we had hoped. Sandra will be in the hospital at least until November 22, when her course of antibiotics is finished. She is getting weaker because of the inability to keep food down.

Sandra is one of the most positive people I know. She is starting to feel discouraged, so for all of you who know her, that says a lot. Please pray for peace, comfort and relief from symptoms for her.

--written by Ardie

Book of Sandra and Friends

A huge thanks to Simone and Al Scholing for bringing the book of notes and pictures from the celebration night to Sandra in the hospital. I understand 5th graders helped put the book together along with other staff at ACS. Thanks so much for all who helped!!

Sandra really loves the book and is moved by all of the notes of encouragement and memories! Many of the medical staff have been looking at the book when they are in her room, including her doctors and nurses. It helps them to have an idea of the special person they are treating.

Sandra remains in the hospital. It's been 9 days since she went into ER and then was admitted. She was really hoping to be home by now, but it doesn't seem like the nausea and vomiting can get under control. Her doctor said she needs at least 2 days in a row without vomiting to be able to go home. Yesterday morning and again today she felt pretty good and ate breakfast. Both days the mornings were fine, but about an hour or so after lunch she started vomiting. Big disappointment.

Sandra is very excited for special visitors arriving tonight from Michigan. Her nephew and wife and their almost 1 year old are going to be here for several days. Sandra hasn't met her great niece yet and is really looking forward to that. She wanted so badly to be out of the hospital for their visit. It's a big disappointment each time her return home gets delayed.

Thanks for your support, prayers and love. Please pray for the doctors to find the cause of the nausea and vomiting so Sandra can return home.

--written by Ardie

Sunday Morning

Sandra would love to be worshipping at church this morning. However, she remains in the hospital. She had a bit of a setback Friday night and all day yesterday with nausea and vomiting again which took a long time to get under control. She is very weak as a result. The antibiotics were unable to stay down (they want to give them orally to attack the infection in the gut). So she lost a day of treatment and nourishment which is hard on her in her already weakened state.

Please continue to pray for Sandra, the doctors and nurses and her family as they care for her. Sharon, who is out from Alberta, has been putting in long days at the hospital. Her presence is very much appreciated by Sandra and all of us!

--written by Ardie

Jimi

Sandra is fighting 2 infections. One is a very difficult one to eradicate so she will be in the hospital for a while yet. We were told this morning, don't count on going home any time soon.

The nurse tonight suggested Sandra give names to all of the medical equipment appendages to her body right now. The first name she came up with was Jimi for her IV pole. She doesn't like it(the IV pole)very well--so now I'll leave you to guess whether the Jimi Hendrix story by Maury at the celebration the other night was true.

Please pray for the infections to be eradicated quickly and relief from the side effects of all of the antibiotics.

--written by Ardie

Isolation

Sandra has been moved to an isolation room this evening. A blockage was removed from her tube this afternoon. Otherwise, there isn't a lot of change to report. She continues to fight infection. I hope to meet with her and the doctors tomorrow.

--submitted by Ardie

The Party is Over

Sandra had such a good time this weekend and was so blessed by the celebration on Sunday evening. In fact, all of us family members were thrilled with the love and care put into that event. Thanks to all who organized and participated--especially those who weren't mentioned behind the scenes!

Unfortunately, the party mood came to a crashing halt last night. I took Sandra in to the ER last evening. She had a very high fever and was quickly dehydrated. She is being treated once again for an infection and has another possible block in one of her neph tubes. She has more tests today after several last night. I'll update you more when we know more. Right now I'm going to bed after pulling an all nighter with her. Sharon and Audrey are with her today.

--submitted by Ardie

From the Bottom of my Heart

What a fabulous night last night! Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Words cannot express all that I'm thinking or feeling. I praise and thank God for you all - for your contribution to the program last evening, for your fervent and constant prayers, for your words of encouragement (and just plain fun, Maury), for the awesome music to which we could listen, or sing along, and just your faithful and continual support. To God be all glory! Great things He has done and continues to do.

Love, Sandra

You Are My God

Just figured out how to put pictures from my iPad onto my blog. The "tekkie" things I continue to learn.... That's why you see a few new pictures even though when the pictures were taken was awhile ago already.
Can't wait until the "big event" this evening! I'm looking forward to all the celebrating we'll be able to do. Sure hope you'll be there, too. And if I am not able to talk to you personally this evening, just know that I would love to be able to do that. Physically, I'm just not strong enough to stay and chat and visit.
"You are my God and I will praise You;
You are my God and I will exalt You.
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His love endures forever. (Psa.118:29)

Love, Sandra

Home, Sweet Home

Home again, home again, jiggety jig. Well, I'm not dancing yet but it sure is good to be home again. I was able to leave the hospital just after noon yesterday and I enjoyed a great nap in my own chair and an even better sleep in my own bed last night. It feels good to be able to take deep breaths again without too much pain and I'm eating better as well. My kidney bags are draining properly after being clogged up and I'm on the road to wellness.😊😊😊😊(those are happy faces in case they don't come out on your computer). I'm very excited about Sunday evening's music celebration. I just know we're going to have a great time praising God...smiling...singing...laughing...praying. "What a mighty God we serve."

In thanksgiving,
Sandra 🎶