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Posted by: Dan @ 8:19 pm
We’re blessed… Sandy got through the surgery. I’ve seen her in the Intensive Care Unit four times so far, and each time she’s looking better. The first time I saw her, around 1:00pm, she was awake, able to talk and wanted me to send her love out to everyone. She will be in ICU through tomorrow probably and then moved to a regular room. The nurses are keeping close watch on her, and she’s doing relatively great, considering what she’s been through.
It was the longest morning of my life… we got here at 6am, she had an MRI at 7, and prepped for anasthesia by 8. Up until then, I could be with her, but then had to say goodbye. The hardest goodbye for me ever, even having the faith that she was going to be OK. Those few hours seemed like an eternity. The surgeon came out to talk to me around 12:30 and said everything went smoothly and no complications. He did say what we already figured was true though, that the glioma (tumor) appears to be a higher grade (meaning fast growing), but they won’t know for sure for several days after tests.
Finally they brought her by on a gurney on the way to the ICU and we were able to talk briefly. What a huge relief. I lost it, again, and walked out into the sunshine crying with a mix of joy and fear. But mostly joy that she appears to be OK from the surgery.
Each time I’ve talked to her (they only allow me in ICU for a few minutes every two hours) she appears a little stronger, can talk more and is even making jokes…. which she did on the way into the operating room as well. She’s amazingly strong. I’m staying here at the hospital tonight, probably sleeping on a couch, just so I can at least be near her, even though I won’t get any more visits after 10pm. I better sign off until tomorrow, I’m at a computer in the health library and people are waiting to use it.
Thank you all again for the wonderful messages, thoughts, prayers and love. You’re helping us pull through this.
Good night,
Dan
October 24th, 2005 at 9:11 pm Hi big brother! What great news that is! Give Sandy our love, and PLEASE take your friends advice and take care of yourself!! You must be exhausted!! Love, your little sister, Gaylon and Sparky too!
October 24th, 2005 at 9:39 pm I am so glad that you were able to get by a computer and let us know the great news. You both must be exhausted. Now time to heal and get the rest you both deserve. Thank God!! Please know what an inspiration the both of you are. Thank you for sharing your comments with us. I loved the kid punching the air beating Sandy’s cancer and your trip to the bike store. Way to go!!! Susan Schweizer
October 24th, 2005 at 9:41 pm Way to go, Sandy!! Dan, take care of yourself, my heart is with you today! Sandy is so lucky to have you, and you her!
October 24th, 2005 at 10:14 pm n
October 24th, 2005 at 10:20 pm Hi Dan - Debbie and I are so happy and relieved to hear the news you provided on the surgery. We think of you both constantly. Keep the faith. We send our good thoughts, prayers, and energy your way for better and better news over the next days. Our Love to Sandy and You - Don and Deb PS - Dick Dieckman, Tom Horning, and Kevin Russum (the other barn raisers)send their best wishes and prayers too.
October 24th, 2005 at 10:22 pm Way to go, Sandy and Dan! Glad to hear you both made it thru surgery day. Here’s hoping things will look brighter each day. We’ve been thinking of you a lot. It’s very helpful to get you “up to the minute” reports, Dan, but don’t get too bleary eyed at the computer. You should both soak in lots of warm weather there and bring some home with you. Love, Robin, Chris and the furballs
October 24th, 2005 at 11:00 pm It was so good to hear that surgery went well. Everyone at school was asking about you all day. We are keeping you in our prayers. Sandy, let those doctors and nurses take good care of you. Dan, thanks again for the excellent updates. Your writing skills are very impressive. Although it feels like you both are far from home, we are all with you in thoughts and good wishes.
October 25th, 2005 at 6:02 am This is an AWESOME way to keep in touch. Thank you! So glad to hear the good news and we keep our thoughts and prayers with you through full recovery. Your experience with the music concert on Sunday just reaffirms, for me, that there are no coincidences - only the Universe, Great Spirit, or God speaking to you with love and encouragement…..To Your Health, Paige & Chip
October 25th, 2005 at 7:10 am Good morning Sandy and Dan, I hope you were both able to rest last night. Patti K. called me and left a message that Sandy was lively, even onery in the ICU, which I didn’t have any trouble believing. Travis was in town this weekend; my two want me to send along their love. I’ve been thinking about you two every since I heard from Dano; this blog is a great site for passing along news and day-to-day feelings. Stay strong Sandy, I’m boning up on my Jeopardy trivia for the next time I see you. All my love, Dale.
October 25th, 2005 at 8:47 am Good morning Sandy and Dan…congratulations! What wonderful news to be through your surgery and well on your way to recovery. Heather has been forwarding information to me and yesterday morning around 11:00 am or so, I was walking my dog along the ridge, looking down into our lovely fall valley and thinking about Sandy in surgery. Suddenly I was washed over by this knowing..that Sandy was going to be alright and that the surgery was going well. It was a wonderful, life affirming feeling that all was going to be ok. Of course I have been keeping both of you in my thoughts and prayers and know you will be looking forward to coming home soon. Such a lovely fall we are having and it just got better with your news. What a wonderful gift that you have each other to love and support through this time. Take care…much aloha Susan
October 25th, 2005 at 8:50 am Sandy and Dan - Just wanted to let you know we are praying for you. Thanks for sharing the good news of the surgery and other blessings along the way. May the Lord bless you with complete recovery. Daniel and Robin
October 25th, 2005 at 9:40 am Sandy and Dan, A message from the Daniel girls: Emma says: I offered up my mass up for you on Sun. My mom says that I could spend the time at church thinking about you and all my thoughts and prayers would go up to God and he would send it down to you like rain or snow. I miss you. Sophie says: I want to give you a big hug when you come back. Lily says: I’ll do it later. (Our favorite 4 yr. old.) Elizabeth says: I hope you get this message. This is my third attempt and then my tech advisor, Millie, said it was our AOL service. I am at the lab to post this and miss seeing you in the hallway. You were in my thoughts and prays all day Mon. (when I wasn’t rounding up run-away preschoolers). So glad to read the update that things are going well. I know you have the best there is for support down there. Thank you Dan for the updates. You are a great writer (and artist Emma added.) Take care. Love from, Elizabeth, Emma, Sophie and Lily (and Grant, Noah and Cullen even though they didn’t contribute to this message. It was a girl moment.)
October 25th, 2005 at 9:46 am Danny and Sandy, We are grateful and relieved to hear that Sandy is doing so well. Love and continued prayers for you. Aunt Cathy
October 25th, 2005 at 10:07 am Dan and Sandy, my family is sending lots of healing energy and prayers. Sounds like things are going well so far and we’ll continue to pray for her quick recovery. Tell her lots of love is being sent her way. Thanks for the updates.
October 25th, 2005 at 10:28 am Dan’O — Great news about the surgery! Got your phone message yesterday and passed on the news to the Forest wide mailing list. Wow — there are a lot of people with full inboxes! And Bruce Keleman refused to answer as well — sheesh. Lots of replies though said to thank you for the updates, and lots of love, thoughts and prayers headed your way. Also saw your comment about the aircraft (MD-80) which is pretty quiet and smooth as far as airliners go. After I read your story about the concert tickets, I felt real good that good karma or whatever you want to call it, is surrounding you both and things are going to be okay. Take care! — Pat
October 25th, 2005 at 10:51 am DanO and Sandy……PRAYERS OF THANKS, PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE, PRAYERS OF HOPE, PRAYERS OF PEACE, PRAYERS OF FRIENDSHIP, PRAYERS FULL OF LOVE!!!!! Kelly and Company
October 25th, 2005 at 11:15 am Clover says “bark, bark, bark, bark, bark”. Which in doggie language is “LOVE, Love, lOVE, happiness and excitement!” Rufous and Prunie say “meow” which in kitty language means “sleep in a shaft of sunshine and receive your healing blessings”. We love you guys so much. Sandy, breath deeply and heal. May God continue to bless you both - Heather
October 25th, 2005 at 11:17 am Hey Dan and Sandy - What a relief to hear things are going as well as could be and also that you have had some positive memorable times at Stanford….we’re all praying for a speedy recovery for you Sandy. Take care of yourself too Dan, see you when you return home. Lots of peace and love your way, barb and family
October 25th, 2005 at 6:48 pm i know that i am sending this very late and it is now the day after u are leaving ICU honey but in truth you and I are different and I just couldn’t write it until today. I love you both so very much my twin and brother. It is honestly with tears that this one is being written. I am blessed that you two have “adopted” me. You are great to say the least and ok Sandy you are on the way to recovery, and yup I will be doing all your chemo with you and then it is on to summer and rock climbing. OK I will go get some kleenex. And go and have more Ice Cream… Love Ya both a LOT Hugs Mary (Thelma)Oh yes and you are in the church bulletin by the way.. so you have lot of prayers going up for you.