Ryan’s mom, Sandra was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer just 7 weeks before our wedding. Ryan was her only child, so she was thrilled to see him get married.
She was chosen to participate in a clinical trial and she kept a positive attitude her entire journey. She never questioned God or lost her faith. She actually used her diagnosis to bring more people to Him.
She also got bilateral bells palsy while she was going through chemo. Since her job was working at the call center for Jenny Craig and since it was harder for her to speak with bilateral bells palsy, she had to take some time off. But she didn’t just sit at home watching TV. Don’t get me wrong, she loved her San Diego Chargers, and you could hear her cheering from a block away, but she kept herself busy, still baking for her friends, attending Bible study, going to church, and knitting scarves that she would sell to still add to her income.
Her scarves were called Sensational Scarves by Semper Fi Sandi. And she included her story as well as a Bible verse on the tag she attached to each scarf.
Sandi went home to be with Jesus the day Victoria turned 4 months old. She fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith. She survived 16 months with pancreatic cancer, which is a really long time with that type of diagnosis.
Sandi was a former Marine and was always a great hostess. She loved everyone and she could meet you anywhere and be an instant forever friend. She was always prepared for fun! And she absolutely loved the 4 months she got to be a grandma.
The kids always talk about Grandma Sandi even though Victoria was the only one who met her, and looked pretty much like her twin at the same age when they were both 3 months old.
Since she passed away in July 2014 we have walked in the annual PurpleStride 5k at De Anza Cove in San Diego to raise money for pancreatic cancer researcher.
We will be walking in our 5th PurpleStride 5k this weekend along with some of our family and friends. Walking across the starting line is always so emotional for me, granted I have been pregnant 2 of the 4 times we did it. We plan to continue to do this 5k as a family in memory of the Unbelievable Semper Fi Sandi.