Sandy's Cancer Journey

Dear Friends,

I want to share with you a need of two of the finest people I know. Gary and Sandy Johnson are two of the dearest friends that we have, as well as friends with churches and people around the world. Our initial contact with them was a meeting over dinner with them asking my parents and us to pray with them about going to Germany to be a part of Rhein River Baptist Church. They acknowledged that their desire was to ask the Lord to give them both jobs as contract or government workers that would allow them to be a blessing to the church, as well as missionaries. Fast-forward now almost twenty years later, in a selfless, many times unknown manner, Gary and Sandy have given tens of thousands of dollars to the work of God and missions. They have personally supported dozens of missionaries through the church. They have bought a number of cars for missionaries. They have paid for trips for people. They have given to numbers of special projects that needed to be done. They have been the epitome of the gift of giving.

All of this to say, that these dear friends, who have given so much, now have a special need. They would never personally ask for help, however in knowing of these needs that have occurred, as well as a great need that they are facing, we have asked them if we could share their need with friends. We have asked Gary and Sandy to write us a basic synopsis of what has transpired and what will take place.

God has been good in that while Sandy was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, she has already surpassed the time that the doctors gave her to live. She and Gary have been such a testimony through this difficult season in their lives. Would you please pray about giving to this need? Also, we would ask anyone who has known them to share this so we can let as many as possible know about their situation.

Sandy's story:

I was originally diagnosed with endometrial cancer in September 2016 and had surgery in November 2016. The doctor told me that the cancer graded out as 1A (the best possible scenario), and that they had gotten everything. They told me that no additional treatments were required. All I needed to do was just go back in for regular checkups.

Fast forward to August 2020. I had an umbilical hernia pop up out of nowhere and had to have emergency surgery to remove it. The pathology of the tissue showed abnormal cells, so the doctor asked me to come back in for additional testing. The tests showed an abnormal thickening in the abdominal region. Surgery was scheduled for September 11. I definitely won’t forget that day. The doctor came to my room after the surgery and basically told me that she had opened me up and closed me up because there was nothing that she could do. I told the doctor that day that it was ok, that the diagnosis didn’t come as a surprise to God. He didn’t wake up that morning and say “Oh my! Sandy has cancer! How did this happen?” He had allowed the hernia to pop up so that I could find out about the cancer.

The cancer is throughout the entire abdominal region, from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor. It graded out as Stage 4. The only thing the hospital could offer was chemotherapy as palliative care.

Gary and I talked, and we made the decision that it was best for me to stay in Germany for my treatment. That decision was based on several things: integrative cancer treatments are more readily available in Germany than in the US, being able to continue with a job that I love and having the support of our military church family.

I immediately began researching online to see what alternative holistic treatments were available and have made significant lifestyle changes based on that research. In addition to those changes I began alternative treatments for the cancer. In February 2021 my regular blood work showed increased cancer cell activity. We prayed about what to do, and the Lord led us to a different integrative doctor with a small clinic 3 hours from our home. When I completed the 3 weeks of treatments in April 2021 my cancer markers decreased significantly, and my body had tolerated the low dose chemotherapy and other natural treatments which were administered. At the doctor’s recommendation I continued receiving IV infusions to boost my immune system and have blood work done on a regular basis to monitor my cancer markers.

I have also continued follow up visits with the local hospital doctors and they have been amazed that I am still doing well and enjoy a good quality of life with only using the alternative treatments. Their prognosis in Sep was 2-9 months; and if I did the palliative high dose chemotherapy possibly a little longer.

My most recent blood work this month showed a significant jump in the cancer cell activity. When I discussed next steps with my doctor, he stated that I basically have 2 options: additional treatments at the clinic or surgery. Since there is currently no blockage in any of the abdominal organs, Gary and I do not feel that surgery would be necessary or advantageous at this time. The doctor agreed with our assessment. Prior to doing additional treatments I will be going back to the clinic for blood work which was not previously available. The results from this blood work will help to determine which cancer pharmaceuticals and natural treatments will most effectively kill the circulating cancer cells.

The treatments at the clinic are only partially covered by my insurance and are very expensive. The test to determine what cancer pharmaceuticals will work best in my body in this next phase of treatment will cost between $1,800-$2,700. This is not covered by insurance. 1 week of treatment at the clinic costs about $10,000, and only a small portion is covered by insurance. I will undergo the next round of treatment (for 2 weeks) as early as the 2nd week of September, and, based on my history, will likely need recurring 2-3 week treatments every 3-4 months. Blood work and PET/CT scans will continue to be used to monitor the cancer.

Through research, we also learned that many other people have been able to cover the costs of their treatments not covered by insurance with the help of others using online options like GoFundMe and similar support programs. Some close friends of ours are helping us now by looking into these options for possibly covering a portion of the treatment costs.

I know my time here on earth is in God’s hands and, by His grace, I’m living proof that a person can survive and thrive with cancer.