Michael Sandlin

Hello Friends and Family,

 As you know now my dad was hospitalized early Christmas morning while they were on holiday in Pine Top.  During the last four months he has been experiencing a general decline in health, but really wasn’t sure how all the seemingly independent symptoms tied together. It all culminated on Christmas morning at 1:30 am when they decided it was necessary to call 911 and had an ambulance take him to the local hospital because he was having a very difficult time breathing. While he was there the blood test showed that his hemoglobin and platelet levels were dangerously low. It was determined that he needed a blood transfusion and also that the little hospital up in Pine Top did not have the type of care he was in need of. As a result they flew him via a medical transport plane to the Banner Baywood Medical Center in Mesa where he underwent a bone marrow biopsy. He has need diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and will begin chemotherapy tomorrow (Friday 12/30). The initial plan is that he will stay in this hospital for the next month and then possibly be released for a few weeks with the second round of chemo planned and additional three week stay at Banner to occur after a two week rest at home. All of this is very preliminary, but we are hopeful that in about 30 days or so he’ll be home for a bit to see  Lucky and Buddy.  He won't be able to have visitors for the next couple of weeks, but as soon as he can we will let you all know.

We have created this CaringBridge page to provide updates on my dad’s condition and allow you to send him messages during this time. He is in good spirits and would love to hear from you. We are staying positive and he is ready for this fight! This Marine is strong!  All of our love combined with the wonderful care he is getting here is going to keep him going!