Support Sandy's Cancer Recovery Journey

Hi, my name is Donna Henrichs and I am a good friend of Sandy Festian. Sandy resides in Merriman, Michigan, and as a therapist she has had the privilege of providing counseling and emotional support to our community here in the Iron Mountain region since 1991.

In late July of 2023 Sandy learned there was a large tumor in her liver. The diagnosis was intra-hepatic bile duct cancer which is a rare and very aggressive cancer. It is considered a terminal diagnosis. Many people who have this cancer have few symptoms until it is too late to save their lives. Sandy and her family doctor found the tumor unexpectedly when they were not looking for it. It was metastatic and large.

Sandy sees a team of experts in the kind of cancer she has at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee. She began with chemotherapy as soon as possible and completed it this past January. Bile duct cancer is always terminal unless an operation can be done. Only 15-20% of people with bile duct cancer are candidates for surgery. Thankfully, Sandy was one of them.

On March 8, 2024 Sandy had a 10 hour surgery with two surgeons working on her side by side. Though the operative report said it was more complex and difficult than expected, THEY GOT IT ALL! Sandy has a very difficult road of recovery ahead of her, but her doctors have said she has already made amazing progress thus far.

Since Sandy's surgery her team at Froedtert advised she receives 5 and 1/2 weeks of radiation to eliminate microscopic cancer cells that the surgeons were not able to see during the surgery. This will be completed as an outpatient, so Sandy will need a place to stay in Milwaukee.

There is a wonderful place called, "Kathy's House," which works with the hospital to provide lodging if a patient must travel a far distance for his/her cancer care. Kathy's House costs $50 per day with the treatment lasting 5.5 weeks, the total cost comes to $1,900 for lodging. In addition to this expense there is a requirement that someone stays with Sandy. Sandy feels it is important for her to provide food for this person. She feels a reasonable cost for groceries for herself and her friend/caregiver would be $800. Therefore, we are looking to raise $3,000 ($1,900 for lodging + $800 for groceries) total for Sandy.

God is so good, and Sandy's survival thus far is truly a miracle. More than anything, we would appreciate prayers for Sandy as she continues this journey. We thank you in advance for the outpouring of love and support! God bless you all!