Sandy’s Story

Site created on July 24, 2020

You know, it’s interesting. Collectively, as a family, we have followed countless caringbridge sites, supported many friends who have had challenging cancer journeys, cheered loved ones on each step of the way through good times and bad, and yet, when writing your own caringbridge entry, it’s like learning a foreign language. Each word is difficult to find, and each emotion is different than the last. We are devastated that we have a story to tell, a journey to document, and a fight to follow, but we know that with how many people love and care about Mama Sandy, it's an absolute necessity for each one of you to join us in her battle.

July 21:   

Sandy had experienced a couple of weeks of decreased appetite, fatigue, and abdominal discomfort in her left lower abdomen but, in true Sandy fashion as not to “bother anyone”, was pushing through it. Her pain seemed to get worse after eating, so she and Bridget thought that modifying her diet would help and perhaps, it was her gall bladder acting up. Saturday was a small family get together for Adam’s birthday and, even at the party, she reported that food just didn’t look appetizing. Although she didn’t feel the best, she did manage to swim in the pool with the three grandkids, and all of her clothes on (Not all grandmas would swim with their clothes on to entertain their grandkids, but she would). To anyone that knows and loves Sandy, it’s not surprising to hear, as she is someone who is always asking what “she can do for everyone else”. She has always put her children and family first, and never misses a good time with her girlfriends. On Tuesday morning, she had been feeling “ok” so she got up, had some toast, and was planning to go to work. As she got in her car to head to work, she became overwhelmed with a feeling of nausea and immediately became ill. She went back inside and, after several episodes of vomiting, she knew that something was different. Her concern was ensuring that she didn’t have any symptoms of Covid, so she called in to see where her best place to be tested was. When she spoke with the nurseline they directed her to the ER to be seen for what was most likely diverticulitis, gall bladder, or possibly a virus. She had made a primary care appointment, but it was only a telephone visit and wasn’t for another day. So as “stubborn” as she is, “not to bug us kids who are busy enough” she drove herself to the ER to be evaluated (she was in big trouble when we all found out). When arriving at St. Francis, she reported the continued nausea and abdominal pain to the doctor, who proceeded to order an abdominal CT scan.

The scan:

Unfortunately, and much to our surprise, the scan didn’t show diverticulitis as we had hoped, but rather a 2 cm by 2 cm mass within her pancreas. The scan showed the mass was within the pancreatic body as well as lesions present on the liver, appearing to be metastasis. Incidentally, pulmonary emboli (blood clots in her lungs) and a splenic clot (blood clot in the vein from her spleen) were discovered on the scan. Luckily, she had shown no signs of complications to this point, from the blood clots in her lungs and the splenic clot was a valid explanation to her left lower quadrant abdominal pain. We learned that blood clots in the lungs are a common complication of pancreatic cancer.  She was immediately started on Heparin at St. Francis. The heparin would hopefully keep her blood thin enough to prevent new clots from forming, as well as stabilize her current clots so her body could dissolve them on its own. She was transferred to Methodist to better monitor her clots and to devise a plan with the oncology team.

The transfer:

The transfer to Methodist went fairly well. We had some laughs with the EMT’s who, of course, Sandy made friends with on the way over. When she arrived in the room, the EMT asked her if she felt okay to walk from bed to bed? She quickly responded, “are you kidding me, I still need to get my 10,000 steps today”. We got her settled into the room and, after an assessment with the admitting hospitalist and a few good laughs between the two of us, she went to sleep for the night anxiously awaiting the oncologist visit the next day. Wednesday morning, we were introduced to Dr. Trottier, the oncologist that would be following and treating Sandy. Unfortunately, although he still wanted to get a liver tissue biopsy to confirm proper medications to treat the type of cancer she has, he was absolutely sure of her diagnosis. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. How could this be? How could the strong lady, the feisty one, suddenly be sick? How could Grandma Sandy go from the swimming pool with all of her regular clothes on to the hospital in the blink of an eye? While we still have so many unknown questions, most of them are not medical. I’d be lying if I said that we weren’t questioning the big guy’s intent in this one, but Sandy is ready to kick this cancer around and give it hell every step of the way.   

The plan:

After taking a few hours to attempt to swallow the devastating diagnosis that all of us were in disbelief of, Dr. Trottier kept things moving right along. Within 18 hours of diagnosis, the biopsy was completed and a port was placed in her chest (to facilitate treatments and blood draws). Most importantly, we had a plan. Our hope is for the biopsy results to be back Monday, and chemo will begin Friday. She will be starting on Folfirinox, which is a chemo combination used for pancreatic cancer, which is administered on a two-week cycle. She will be treated on Friday’s and then will be sent home with a continuous IV infusion for 48 hours. When the infusion is completed, she will return to the hospital for removal and can return home for rest. While Sandy and the rest of us know that there is a big journey ahead of us, we are heading into it with a heart full of strength, faith, hope, and trust. We are prepared to be there with Sandy each step of the way, and we hope that you share your encouragement, prayers, and thoughts with her on here as well. She already misses work, she misses her friends, she misses being out and about, and we know you all miss her. Unfortunately, as much as she’d love to see everyone, we are asking that people refrain from visits at this time. With all that is going around, we just can’t take the chance that she could catch something that would keep her from beginning treatments on time. We need her to be as strong and as fierce as ever as she enters her battle. She is faithful and full of hope and plans to battle each day as it comes. Anyone that knows Sandy knows she doesn’t do anything halfway. She is full force, strong, and courageous and she has no plans of changing that now.

We will update this as much as possible as we know that so many of you will be fighting alongside us.

Keep the prayers coming my friends,

Brittney (Thomas’s wife).

"One day at a time, one step at a time. Do what you can, do your best. Let God handle the rest."

 -Michelle Jones

 

 

Newest Update

April 26, 2021 "It's never goodbye, just see you later"

Journal entry by Brittney Joachim —

“It’s never goodbye, just see you later”

This morning at 0652 am, our sweet mama took her last earthly breath. She passed away peacefully as we all gathered around her praying the rosary with worship music playing in the background. For Sandy, we firmly believe that she has not lost her battle, but has simply made it to the ultimate finish line. We feel that ultimately, she won the battle and received the most precious prize.  Our hearts are broken at the thought of moving forward without having our Mama by our side, but we know that she’ll never be far away. All of us kids and auntie Debbie have spent the last three nights having slumber parties here and keeping a close watch on mama. She got her fair share of smooches, hugs, I love you to the moon and backs from Jack, Char, and Cole, visits, and prayers over the last week from friends and those who loved her most.

As her time was drawing near, she was able to receive a blessing from Father Tom as well as communion earlier in the week. Receiving these two things were very important to Sandy, as her faith never wavered and remained one of her greatest commitments. Even when her body was failing her, her spirit, faith, and soul were strong. Even through her very last breath, she was clothed in grace, dignity, and poise. She left a legacy that will never be forgotten. The most giant hole has now been made in our family as well as in each of our hearts, but we will continue to pray for peace to fill that hole as we learn to navigate the future days without our dear Sandra Dee.

Our family can not express a deep enough thank you to all of you that have reached out, stopped for a visit, sent flowers, food, or cards, and or just provided a thoughtful prayer for our family. We have felt the love that surrounded our dear mama and it has helped to ease our pain at the thought of losing her. We knew she touched a lot of lives, but to find out it was to such a great degree, has been so comforting. There is no denying that she was well-loved. We have some big shoes to fill, but we will hope to pick up the pieces and march onward, just as mama would want us to.

We are comforted knowing that our sweet mama is finally pain-free and reunited with her Mom and Dad. It’s safe to say, we miss you already, mama, and thanks for everything. We know that because we believe in Jesus, “it’s never goodbye, it’s just see you later”.

Sandy read Jesus calling and would often reflect on the daily devotionals from it. We read today’s suggested bible verse 2 Corinthians 14: 16-18, and we know, she and the big guy had this well thought out.  

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

A celebration of a life Damn well-lived (we owe so much money to the swear jar after this week, but it seems appropriate), will be held on Thursday night at Ballard Sunder Funeral Homes 4-7 with a funeral on Friday morning at St. Michael’s in Prior Lake, a viewing will take place from 10-1045 with a service beginning at 11.

Do us a favor, go outside, look up at the sun and remember how many times she took each one of our rainy days and turned them into days of sunshine and joy. Smile today, as you remember your beloved friend Sandy.

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