Sandy Beardsley
Living with a Brain Tumor
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11/01/05
Day Thirteen
Filed under: General
Posted by: Dan @ 1:34 am

Tuesday, 11:00pm…
Seems like a little convergence zone here…. Sandy was watching the TV news this morning (since she hates TV news and newspapers, this was strange in itself). A reporter was interviewing a couple of guys at the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco who were cycling from Prudhoe Bay Alaska to the southern tip of Argentina, 15,000 miles. The purpose of their trip, besides an adventure, is to raise money and awareness for, you guessed it, brain tumor research. They are brothers whose mother died from a brain tumor a few years ago. They are raising money for the National Brain Tumor Foundation, a great group we have contacted in the past.
Sandy decided she had to talk to these guys. So she called the TV station after the interview was over. She was put in contact with the producer, who gave her the rider’s publicist’s phone number. She called her, told her the story and why she was calling. The publicist said, "Would you like to talk to them? They’re right here." So Sandy ended up having a great conversation with Mike, one of the brothers. In the meantime, I checked out their website - spinningsouthward.com - and learned more about their trip. It turns out they were going to be riding through the coast area where we had been yesterday. So Sandy arranged for us to meet them for a late lunch tomorrow at the pub we were at yesterday. It’s only a half-hour from here now that I know the fast way there. So hopefully we can connect with them tomorrow.
But first things first… Sandy will be having her staples taken out tomorrow morning (she’s not exactly looking forward to that) and we’re meeting with her surgeon. Friday we meet with the oncologist.
Today we walked around Stanford campus and discovered the church we had admired from the outside was open. So we went inside… what an incredible space. Words can’t describe it. See the new photos on the photos page (link at right). The angels were definitely listening in there, so I said a prayer for Sandy.
Sandy also got a couple of great packages in the mail today from the 3rd and 5th grade classes. This really lifted her spirits to see the kids’ drawings and hear their words as I read all the cards to her. And she also wanted me to comment on the quality of the drawings and the penmanship of the letters - very nice. She also thanks all the students and parents who have sent blog comments and emails. She is so blessed to have worked at such an awesome school for 17 years. They are her second family, and the students and parents are the greatest.
Good night,
Dan

7 Responses to “Day Thirteen”

  1. Anne and Andre Nowacki Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 1:50 am Sandy and Dan, Amazing convergences indeed! I just left a note, too, (under day 11 by mistake), about some research you might want to read, which I forwarded today. Full med. journal article. Find it in your dano email inbox, when you have a chance, in between adventures. Anne N.
  2. Millie Watkins Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 8:15 am What a great story about meeting the cyclists. I am sure that was a great experience. Everyone at school is happy to hear that the cards from our kids are coming through. You are the topic of conversation!! We’ll be thinking of you today as you are back to the doctors. We’re keeping you in our prayers. Millie
  3. Lee and Anna Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 10:32 am The convergence zone — that’s definitely what this blog feels like. So many good thoughts crossing paths, weaving together into one strong voice. All of us wishing you the very best. -Lee and Anna
  4. pvd Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 4:33 pm THE WISDOM OF CHILDREN A first grader was sitting in class as the teacher was reading the story of the Three Little Pigs. She came to the part of the story where the first pig was trying to acquire building materials for his home. She said “And so the pig went up to the man with the wheelbarrow full of straw and said, ‘Pardon me sir, but might I have some of that straw to build my house with?” Then the teacher asked the class, “And what do you think that man said?” and my friend’s son raised his hand and said “I know! I know!, he said ‘Holy smokes! A talking pig!” The teacher was unable to teach for the next 10 minutes. A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honor thy father and thy mother,” she asked “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of the family) answered, “Thou shall not kill.” One day, a little girl is sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. The suddenly notices that her mother has several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looks at her mother and inquisitively asks, “Why are some of your hairs white Mom?” Her mother replies, “Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.” The little girl thought about this revelation for a while, and then said, “So Momma, how come ALL of grandma’s hairs are white?” Hope you teachers get a little chuckle out of this. ta, pk
  5. Barb Kelly Ringel Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 6:44 pm Hello Sandy and Dan, I have been praying for you and thinking about you. I just got onto your blog the other day and thank-you for sharing so much. You are both an inspiration of how to live fully, especially when life pushes you. Heal well and quickly. Enjoy each other and each day. Barb
  6. Daniel Family message Says:
    November 2nd, 2005 at 11:59 pm Sophie says: We are studying about ants. Our ants are eating apples and drinking sugar water. We found out it’s a law that you can’t send a queen ant. (So they didn’t get a queen with their ant farm order.) We are writing about what we are thankful for. I’m thankful for my family, my home, God, my pets and my bed. (I think she’s tired.) I hope you come to school soon. And now I am counting my blessings. Love, Sophie Emma says: I hope you’re okay. Karina and I asked Mrs. Watkins if we could have a school newspaper and she said maybe. She is going to look at the newspaper we made in reading groups. I want to interview someone in the school. I want to interview you when you come back. Tomorrow at God’s Kid’s Club I will send my prayers. Love, Emma Sandy, Hope all went well today. I read with interest your story about the bicyclists. There are a lot of odd coincidences going on down in CA. Those angels must be at work. Beautiful pictures of the church. I know that places like that can be awe-inspiring. Just so you know, besides my own prayers, I’ve been asking my own special angel David to be with you. He’s helped keep my kids safe for all these years, so I gave him another chore. Miss your smile in the hallways. Take care, Elizabeth
  7. Noah Daniel Says:
    November 3rd, 2005 at 12:01 am Mrs. B, Hey it’s Noah. How are you again? I hope you are felling better. School was rough today. P. E. finals today. I am so sore! I heard the story about the bikers. We also had our math final scores today. I cant eat to much candy this week!!! Next week it is all going down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How is the weather down there? It is freezing early in the morning down here. Mrs. Viebrock says that she saw snowflakes on her way down to school. That means we may get to go skiing this year!!!!!!!!!!! hope you feel better soon. -Noah Daniel

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