Help in Sandy's Fight Against Cancer
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As friends and family of the Erickson’s, we wanted to share what they are going through and to ask for your help.
In May of this year, Sandy was rushed to Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN with severe back pain. Doctors performed an emergency MRI, where 2 large masses were discovered. One on her right kidney and the other on her thoracic spine. She was immediately admitted and prepped for emergency surgery, where surgeons removed the tumor from her spine. Due to the size of the tumor, her T5 vertebrae was removed and her T3 thru T7 vertebrae were fused. As a result of this traumatic surgery, nerve pathways were damaged and Sandy has lost feeling in the lower half of her body and has been unable to walk. She has since been diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer and has undergone 3 rounds of radiation therapy specific to the right kidney. She is scheduled to have her right kidney surgically removed later this month.
Sandy is currently undergoing both physical and occupational therapy on a daily basis, working toward the goal of being released from Mayo Hospital to her home. At this time, she remains wheelchair bound, and Sandy’s husband Mike is working diligently on preparing their home for that living scenario. As you can imagine, this catastrophic event has turned their world upside down. Work is beginning on making the house wheelchair accessible with a ramp into the house, lift chair system, bathroom remodel, etc., some of which is covered by insurance and much of which will not be.
This fundraiser has been established to help ease the significant financial burdens that they are facing, so that Sandy and her family can focus all of their energy and efforts on her treatment and recovery. Anyone who knows the Erickson’s can attest to the fact that they are incredibly giving when it comes to their time, love, and energy for anyone in need. It is now our turn to show up for them. I know that many of you have asked for a way to help. Helping to alleviate the added financial stresses is the one thing that we can perhaps help with. The family appreciates anything you feel you can contribute. Every bit counts.
In May of this year, Sandy was rushed to Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN with severe back pain. Doctors performed an emergency MRI, where 2 large masses were discovered. One on her right kidney and the other on her thoracic spine. She was immediately admitted and prepped for emergency surgery, where surgeons removed the tumor from her spine. Due to the size of the tumor, her T5 vertebrae was removed and her T3 thru T7 vertebrae were fused. As a result of this traumatic surgery, nerve pathways were damaged and Sandy has lost feeling in the lower half of her body and has been unable to walk. She has since been diagnosed with Stage 4 metastatic kidney cancer and has undergone 3 rounds of radiation therapy specific to the right kidney. She is scheduled to have her right kidney surgically removed later this month.
Sandy is currently undergoing both physical and occupational therapy on a daily basis, working toward the goal of being released from Mayo Hospital to her home. At this time, she remains wheelchair bound, and Sandy’s husband Mike is working diligently on preparing their home for that living scenario. As you can imagine, this catastrophic event has turned their world upside down. Work is beginning on making the house wheelchair accessible with a ramp into the house, lift chair system, bathroom remodel, etc., some of which is covered by insurance and much of which will not be.
This fundraiser has been established to help ease the significant financial burdens that they are facing, so that Sandy and her family can focus all of their energy and efforts on her treatment and recovery. Anyone who knows the Erickson’s can attest to the fact that they are incredibly giving when it comes to their time, love, and energy for anyone in need. It is now our turn to show up for them. I know that many of you have asked for a way to help. Helping to alleviate the added financial stresses is the one thing that we can perhaps help with. The family appreciates anything you feel you can contribute. Every bit counts.
Organizer and beneficiary
Dana Sward
Organizer
Prior Lake, MN
Sandy Erickson
Beneficiary