Sandi's Cancer Journey
Donation protected
Friends,
We are sharing Sandi's cancer journey and story, in the hope of helping Sandi (and Rod) assume some sense of normalcy and ensure they can spend as much quality time together as possible. This is a long process and will require many days of missed work for Rod. However, there is no where he would rather be - nor should he be. He NEEDS to be with his wife of 28 years and by her side throughout this journey!
Sandi has always been that bright smile in a crowd. She is independent and hardworking. Anything in her daily life could cause a back ache, but finally she realized this was more than just a nagging pain. In a short amount of time, Sandi and Rod were told this wasn't a backache, in fact, Sandi had a diagnosis. Diagnosis? What? Wait? They just needed some extra strength meds...Right? No...sadly they were to find our Sandi had this somewhat rare, less than 200,000/yr in the US, MULTIPLE MYELOMA - a cancer of plasma cells. Long story short, plasma cells are the fiber of your bones and without the plasma cells your bones become brittle and deteriorate. There is NO cure! We can only treat, hope for the best and LIVE for the now!!!
The last few months we have tried to prepare ourselves for the new reality, but have yet been able to wrap our heads around what we need to do to support Sandi and Rod. Those of you that know Sandi understand her - she is fiercely independent and STRONG! She is that person, that you NEVER expect to be sick, hurting, or down. And honestly, she is still that person; however, she needs our help.
Sandi is currently at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics undergoing an extensive round of chemotherapy and will have stem cell extraction on Monday, April 2, 2018. She will go through the chemo process one more time prior to receiving stem cell therapy. This
process will last 30-45 days inpatient isolation. To be very clear, this process is only to treat the cancer - this is not a cure as there is not a cure currently. She will be in and out of the hospital for long period of times and will require around the clock assistance.
Rod and Sandi wish to endure the majority of this together. By helping/donating this allows them the time together and honestly to help with expenses. They may be able to enjoy a night with family or pay bills. Rod wants to be able to stay with Sandi and close to her and support her through this process as much as possible.
Our family is asking for any assistance you are able to provide to support Sandi and Rod through this journey. Please understand the majority of your support will go directly to medical expenses, lodging, meals, travel cost, etc. but may also help Sandi and Rod experience together time and a sense or normalcy when permitted. Thank you for your support and prayers...NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!
All of our love,
Cheli and Jody
We are sharing Sandi's cancer journey and story, in the hope of helping Sandi (and Rod) assume some sense of normalcy and ensure they can spend as much quality time together as possible. This is a long process and will require many days of missed work for Rod. However, there is no where he would rather be - nor should he be. He NEEDS to be with his wife of 28 years and by her side throughout this journey!
Sandi has always been that bright smile in a crowd. She is independent and hardworking. Anything in her daily life could cause a back ache, but finally she realized this was more than just a nagging pain. In a short amount of time, Sandi and Rod were told this wasn't a backache, in fact, Sandi had a diagnosis. Diagnosis? What? Wait? They just needed some extra strength meds...Right? No...sadly they were to find our Sandi had this somewhat rare, less than 200,000/yr in the US, MULTIPLE MYELOMA - a cancer of plasma cells. Long story short, plasma cells are the fiber of your bones and without the plasma cells your bones become brittle and deteriorate. There is NO cure! We can only treat, hope for the best and LIVE for the now!!!
The last few months we have tried to prepare ourselves for the new reality, but have yet been able to wrap our heads around what we need to do to support Sandi and Rod. Those of you that know Sandi understand her - she is fiercely independent and STRONG! She is that person, that you NEVER expect to be sick, hurting, or down. And honestly, she is still that person; however, she needs our help.
Sandi is currently at The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics undergoing an extensive round of chemotherapy and will have stem cell extraction on Monday, April 2, 2018. She will go through the chemo process one more time prior to receiving stem cell therapy. This
process will last 30-45 days inpatient isolation. To be very clear, this process is only to treat the cancer - this is not a cure as there is not a cure currently. She will be in and out of the hospital for long period of times and will require around the clock assistance.
Rod and Sandi wish to endure the majority of this together. By helping/donating this allows them the time together and honestly to help with expenses. They may be able to enjoy a night with family or pay bills. Rod wants to be able to stay with Sandi and close to her and support her through this process as much as possible.
Our family is asking for any assistance you are able to provide to support Sandi and Rod through this journey. Please understand the majority of your support will go directly to medical expenses, lodging, meals, travel cost, etc. but may also help Sandi and Rod experience together time and a sense or normalcy when permitted. Thank you for your support and prayers...NO ONE FIGHTS ALONE!
All of our love,
Cheli and Jody
Organizer and beneficiary
Jody Rohlfs Faust
Organizer
Bettendorf, IA
Rod Larson
Beneficiary
