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Weekly Updates

"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships...in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead...On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many."  2 Cor 1:8-11

To see video clips of the TV news story segments about Sandi's "Faithful Fight", click here!

Sunday Update - 11/30/03 (At this time, we are not planning any future updates)  

• SANDI UPDATE: Sandi went in for her 3 month checkup (which she will do for the next 5 years).  There continued to be NO signs of any cancer activity in her body any longer.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving rejoicing how God has restored Sandi to health this past year (it was the day before Thanksgiving last year that we first learned that Sandi had the most serious life-threatening form of breast cancer).  We had a wonderful "international" Thanksgiving with friends from many places around the world (Colombia, Nepal, India, Puerto Rico, Guatemala, Malaysia and San Francisco)!

• FINANCIAL UPDATE: A few days ago we totaled up all the bills related to this cancer journey.  The total expenses were $140,000+.  The insurance took care of $130,000 and we needed to come up with $10,000 for co-pays, deductibles and non-covered items.  By God's grace and through people's wonderful generosity, $10,000 was received from 13 families and individuals which allowed us to cover all of our expenses 100%!  How incredibly thankful for the generous gifts we received to help us in this journey.

• TV UPDATE: The TV station decided not to run a 30 minute TV story on Sandi's story at Thanksgiving, but they may still choose to run a wrap-up story at some point in the future.

• WE APPRECIATE YOU!  Thank you for all the interest you've shown in Sandi and our family.   We also greatly appreciate your prayers this past year!  If you would like to write us for any reason, our email address is: bk@kluth.org

Tuesday Update - 10/1/03

• SANDI UPDATE: Sandi finished her 6 weeks of radiation treatments and her skin has healed well.  She looks and feels great.  She has been teaching Spanish one morning a week at a large Christian school in town that has an extension program for home schooling families.  We celebrated Sandi's birthday (September 20th) with a surprise party and her gift was a beautiful wall clock that plays different songs every hour (this is the remind us every day and every hour that God has given us the "gift of time")!  

• FAMILY UPDATE: All 3 of our children are now in school full days and enjoy their teachers, classes and friends.  Jeremy is in 1st grade, Bethany is in 2nd grade and Josh is in 5th grade.  They all attend the same school.  As each child starts middle school, our hope is to be able to send them to the Christian School where Sandi is currently working one morning a week.

• BRIAN UPDATE: Brian's ministry at the church is going well.  Because the church has been steadily growing from 250 to 400 since he came, they've add staff and are looking at relocating to a larger facility.  The church is also considering an opportunity they've been given to have Brian's preaching put on TV in an open time slot (Sunday 3:00-3:30) on Adelphia Cable Channel #6 and Non-Cable Channel #51 (covering all of the Colorado Springs metro area of 500,000 people).  If this happens, the TV footage of Brian's sermons would also be available on the church website each week (http://1freechurch.org/sermon.htm) where currently audio clips and handouts of his sermons are available.

• TV STORIES:  Click here to see some of the TV clips.  Channel 13 KRDO-TV news stories in Colorado Springs are trying to decide how to complete this story.  Either they are going to run one more news story OR they are considering running a half hour TV special around Thanksgiving to review and celebrate Sandi's journey and recovery. 

• EMAIL: To email a note to Sandi & Brian, click here: bk@kluth.org

• MUSIC: To listen to Sandi's singing and guitar playing while reading this update, click any of the following songs:  Our God Reigns     Oh, How He Loves You and Me    Jesus Medley: There's Just Something About That Name AND Dear Jesus, You Are Everything To Me    Peace I Leave With You My Friend

Tuesday Update - 9/2/03

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Sandi has felt great throughout her 5 weeks of daily weekday radiation treatments (i.e. she's experienced no negative side effects).  She will be completely done with her 27 radiation treatments on Thursday of this week. 

• PROGNOSIS: The doctors feel Sandi has had a "complete response" to treatments and they know of no cancerous tumors or cancer cells in Sandi's body!!!  We also know that much of Sandi's tremendous response has come from the direct results of the prayers of hundreds of people, groups and churches across our community, the country and even around the world.  With the type of cancer Sandi had, the medical plan is now to have her take a daily pill and come in for checkups every 3 months.  If no cancer returns within 5 years, she will then be considered "cancer free" from a medical perspective.

• FINANCIAL UPDATE:  Currently, our medical bills have totaled OVER $125,000 for Sandi's treatments and cancer related expenses.  The majority of these costs were covered by our health insurance and the remaining bills that we need to pay are being covered by the $10,000 in generous donations we received from approximately 20 families and individuals from around the country.  We thank the Lord for His incredible kindness in providing for our EVERY NEED during this journey.

• AMAZING FACT: We were realizing the other day that during the past 9 months of cancer treatments, Sandi NEVER had one day when she was bedridden the entire day.  While so many people suffer terribly during cancer treatments, God has sustained and strengthened Sandi in incredible ways!  Last week in our daily evening Bible reading and prayer time together, we came across the following verse in Psalms 41:1-3, "Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor.  The Lord rescues them in times of trouble.  The Lord protects them and keeps them alive...The Lord nurses them when they are sick, and eases their pain and discomfort."  Over the years, we have sought to be helpful to those in need.  In light of this verse, we are so very grateful to the Lord for His response to our needs during Sandi's road to recovery.  We are also grateful for the love and care of so many people that have traveled this road with us.  As you can tell from the website counter on the top of this page, hundreds and hundreds of people faithfully monitored Sandi's progress and kept Sandi and our family in their prayers.

• TV STORIES:  Click here to see some of the TV clips. 

Tuesday Update - 8/12/03

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Sandi had an excellent week and feels completely normal.  Her daily radiation treatment has been going well and she's experienced no negative side effects.

• PERSONAL UPDATE: Sandi has been hired by the largest Christian school in town to teach Spanish one morning a week (Wednesdays) to home schooling grade school children that are part of the school's home school extension program.

• TV STORIES:  Click here to see some of the newer TV clips.  Channel 13 KRDO-TV news stories in Colorado Springs is also running more updates on Sandi's cancer treatment journey on Thursdays around 6:35am and 10:10pm.   This week's segment will "show" Sandi's surgery that took place 5 weeks ago.

Tuesday Update - 7/29/03

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Sandi had an excellent week and feels great.  She has now started radiation which will take about 15 minutes at the doctors office every day (Monday through Friday) for 6 weeks.  The radiation is NOT expected to cause any major negative side effects.  The only thing that may happen after a number of weeks is some redness (similar to a sun burn) on the left side of Sandi's chest and possibly some level of fatigue near the end of the treatments.

• LIFESTYLE AND WEBSITE UPDATES: Thanks to the prayers of many and Sandi's successful medical treatments, our lives have pretty much returned to "normal" (if being a mother to active 6, 8, 10 year olds - - and having a dog, hampster, and a new kitten - - ever allows for a "normal" life !!?!?!).  Because there is no longer a lot of medical news to report, we will switch to only updating the website every other Tuesday.  The next update will be by Tuesday evening, August 12th.  We're grateful to God that He is allowing us to move beyond "cancer treatments and concerns" to the point where were now discussing future plans for kids junior high schooling in 2004, Sandi possibly going back to part-time teaching in 2004, making house renovations, Sandi joining the church choir this fall, etc., etc., etc.

Tuesday Update - 7/22/03

• HEALTH UPDATE: Sandi had a good week.  On Monday she went to the radiology doctor.  On Monday, Sandi will start 6 weeks of radiation treatments (every day, Monday-Friday for 6 weeks).  These treatments only take about 15 minutes and are designed to help kill any remaining cancer cells.

• TV STORIES:  We now have more TV clips of Sandi's news stories on this website.  Click here to see the the latest clips.  Channel 13 KRDO-TV news stories in Colorado Springs is also running more updates on Sandi's cancer treatment journey on Thursdays around 6:35am and 10:10pm.  

Tuesday Update - 7/15/03

• HEALTH UPDATE: Sandi continues to recover very well from her surgery.  She looks great and is even back to driving.   Next week we will find out when Sandi's 6 weeks of radiation will begin.

• TV STORIES:  Channel 13 KRDO-TV news running more news stories the next 4 Thursdays around 6:35am and 10:10pm.   Click here to see the first 6 TV video clips.  The 700 Club has also indicated they "might" be interested in sharing some of Sandi's story on their national and international broadcasts.  We should know more about this "possibility" (and any details) in the coming few weeks.

Tuesday Update - 7/8/03   

• HEALTH UPDATE: Sandi has been recovering very well from surgery.  She is still taking it easy (i.e. - no lifting), but she is able to be up and active each day.  On Sunday, she was able to go to church.  On Monday, she tried driving for a little while, but decided she wanted to wait a few more days before driving again.  Sandi's sister's, Karen, was here for a week from Minnesota and was a great help!  At this time, we do not have a specific date when Sandi's 6 weeks of radiation will start.

• FAMILY UPDATE: Sunday was Brian's 48th birthday.  The kids helped put 48 candles on the cake!  There was so much smoke after Brian blew out all 48 candles (on one try!) that we were afraid the neighbors were going to have call the Fire Department (JUST KIDDING!).  Josh is in Eagle River, Wisconsin for 3 weeks with Brian's grandmother.  Jeremy and Bethany are enrolled in two week's of swimming classes at a pool club we joined near our church.

Wednesday Update - 7/2/03   

• MEDICAL UPDATE: Last week, we learned the GOOD NEWS that Sandi's medical scans showed NO MORE CANCEROUS TUMORS.  But because of the serious nature of Sandi's type of cancer, there was still an 85% chance that there could still be remaining microscopic cancer cells in her chest area.  For this reason, a mastectomy followed by radiation is a normal part of Sandi's treatment schedule on her road to recovery.  

• SURGERY UPDATE: Last Wednesday, June 25th, Sandi had a 2 1/2 hour surgery to remove both of her breasts and nine lymph nodes under her left arm (photo on the right is Sandi with her surgeon, Dr. Laura Pomerenke, one of the leading breast specialist surgeons in our area).  The surgery went very well and Sandi went home the next day.  Following the surgery she has been amazing!  She rested each day, but she was able to be up to eat meals with the family, talk on the phone and have visitors stop by to see her.  Her physical vitality and her spirits have been just GREAT!  On Monday, she went to the surgeon's office to have some drains and the surgical dressings removed.  We also found out that  they had found cancer cells in some of the lymph nodes the surgeon removed.  So, it turned out to be a very good thing that Sandi had decided to go ahead with the surgery.  On Monday she felt well enough to be able to drive with the family to Denver to take Brian's mother to the airport.  On Tuesday, she was well enough to drive along to the airport in Colorado Springs to help pick up her sister, Karen, from Minneapolis (photo on the right).  Within 2 weeks Sandi should be able to drive again and within 3-5 weeks she'll begin 6 weeks of radiation treatment.

• TV COVERAGE:  Channel 13 KRDO-TV news stories on Sandi's road to recovery will probably start up again on Thursday, July 10th.  There have been 11 TV news segments shown so far.  To see segments #1-#6, click here.  We are sorry for the delays in getting segments #7-#11 available for viewing on our website.  Hopefully they will be available on the website soon. 

Wednesday Update - 6/25/03 

• TUESDAY'S GREAT NEWS!!! Today we visited with Sandi's cancer doctor, Dr. Carmen Matei.  Sandi and the doctor are smiling in the photo because when they compared the medical scans that were taken in December that showed many life-threatening cancer tumors in Sandi's breast with the scans that were taken last week (after 6 months of chemotherapy) - - - ALL THE CANCER TUMORS WERE GONE!!!!  This was the BEST POSSIBLE NEWS we could have received.  We are grateful for the prayers of many people and the medical care we received.  We are reminded of the Scriptures found in Psalm 116:1-9...
  "I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy.
  Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
  The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me;
  I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, save me!"
  The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
  The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.
  Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.
  For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears,
  my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living."

• SURGERY UPDATE: Because of the serious nature of Sandi's type of cancer, there is still an 85% chance that while all the cancer tumors are gone, there could still be remaining microscopic cancer cells in her breast and chest area.  For this reason, a mastectomy followed by radiation is a normal part of Sandi's treatment schedule on her road to recovery.  Sandi is scheduled for a double mastectomy surgery Wednesday, June 25th at 1pm.  She will stay overnight at the surgery center and should be home on Thursday.  Normal recovery time is 2-3 weeks.  If desired, she can consider having breast reconstruction surgery in December.

Tuesday Update - 6/17/03 (The next update will be posted by Wednesday evening, June 25th)  

• VACATION UPDATE:  See photos below from our family vacation in Billings, Montana.

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Sandi went in for various medical scans of her body on Monday and Tuesday to see if the cancer has shrunk, disappeared or spread.  We will meet with our cancer doctor next Tuesday, May 24th, to find out the results of these scans.  If everything looks good at that time, Sandi will proceed with breast surgery (double mastectomy) on Wednesday, June 25th.   This surgery requires one overnight stay at the surgery center.  Bethany (8) and Joshua (10) will be going to Eagle Lake Christian Camp from Sunday through Friday.  Brian's mother is coming out from Milwaukee to help for a week, followed by Sandi's sister, Karen, who will be coming from Minnesota to help for a week.  After a few weeks of recovering from surgery, Sandi will undergo daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks.  If she desires, she can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery in December. 

MONTANA VACATION PICTURES: Click on any of the small thumbnail photos below to see an enlarged picture

Who would ever think that this wild go kart driver just completed 6 months of chemotherapy?!?	Sandi took the kids to show them the grade school, junior high and high school that she attended in Billings.	This was the house in Billings where Sandi spent many years growing up.	JJ & Sandi had fun on the bumper boats.	Our kids really are beginning to enjoy bowling as a family.
One afternoon we visited a fair and the kids enjoyed the clowns.	This is a picture of Sandi and Jim Wempner. As a Montana rancher with horses, he was Sandi's hero growing up.	This is the guest bunkhouse where we stayed for the week on Jim Wempner's 1000 acre ranch.	The kids loved getting the chance to "play cowboy" and ride horses on the ranch.	Bethany rode "high in the saddle". Like Sandi, she loves horses.
JJ enjoyed riding on Jim Wempner's horse with a real lasso.	Josh and Jim Wempner developed a nice friendship on this vacation. Josh turned out to be quite the "cowboy".	Two different times, Jim Wempner took Sandi and Josh riding in the hills around his ranch.	The men of the Kluth "household" enjoyed playing a game of laser tag.	Here's Josh doing a front flip on the trampoline at the Clapper's house (relatives of Sandi's sister, Karen).
Sandi enjoyed seeing Jerry Asleson, her church youth director (from 30 years ago). He had a tremendous influence on Sandi becoming a Christian.	Sandi enjoyed catching up on 30 years of news with Kay Hilde, a dear family friend from church.	The Clapper family (relatives to Sandi's sister) were great hosts for a Sunday afternoon picnic. Bob & Lavonne Clapper were also there.	Here's "THE END" picture from our time playing put-put golf as a family.

Wednesday Update - 6/11/03

• VACATION UPDATE:  We are so grateful for the faithful prayers of so many people.  Even after finishing 6 months of chemotherapy, Sandi felt GREAT on our family vacation to Billings, Montana.  It was 30 years ago that Sandi moved away from Billings when her father got a job in Mpls/St. Paul.  All week long we walked down "memory lane" with Sandi as she saw old friends, visited the house she lived in, stopped by the schools she attended, and drove around town.  Because Sandi felt so well, we also were able to do lots of fun vacation things as a family (including horseback riding, hiking, miniature golf, laser tag, go-karting, bumper boats, bowling, picnics, going to the zoo, sleeping in, eating out everyday and seeing old friends).   YOU CAN LOOK AT SOME OF OUR VACATION PICTURES ABOVE (NOTE: You can click on any of the small thumbnail photos below to see an enlarged picture).

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Next week, Sandi will go through various medical scans of her body to see if the cancer has shrunk, disappeared or spread.  We will then meet with our cancer doctor on Tuesday, May 24th to find out the results of these scans.  If everything looks good at that time, Sandi will proceed with breast surgery (double mastectomy) that has now been rescheduled for Wednesday, June 25th.   After a few weeks of recovering from this major surgery, she will undergo daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks.  If she's interested, she can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery in December. 

• FINANCIAL UPDATE: We had just used up the last of the donations that had been sent in to the benevolence account that was established to help us with our medical bills.  Then, totally unexpectedly, we received an incredibly generous gift of several thousand dollars from a young couple who felt clearly led by God to help us.  We are humbled and mindful of the truth found in the Bible that says, "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19).  God certainly has been meeting ALL our needs (financial, friendship, prayers, help, etc.) throughout this road to recovery.

• TV COVERAGE: TV stories on Sandi's road to recovery will start up again AFTER SANDI'S SURGERY.  There have been 11 TV segments shown so far.  To see segments #1-#6, click here.  We hope to have segments #7-#11 available for viewing on this website within the next 2 weeks.

Tuesday Update - 5/27/03

• HEALTH UPDATE:  Sandi has felt great the last several days.  This past week she was able to sing at a funeral of a good friend from our church.

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Sandi's final chemo therapy is scheduled for Thursday, May 29th at 1:30pm.  God has given us a peace with going ahead with Sandi's double mastectomy the last week of June.  After a few weeks of recovering from this major surgery, she will undergo daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks.  If she's interested, she can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery in December. 

• FAMILY UPDATE: We will be taking a family vacation on June 2-9 to Billings, Montana.  While Sandi is recovering from her June surgery, Joshua and Bethany will be attending The Navigator's Eagle Lake summer camp.

Tuesday Update - 5/20/03

• HEALTH UPDATE:  Sandi has been feeling pretty well the last several days. 

• TREATMENT UPDATE: Sandi's final chemo therapy is scheduled for Thursday, May 2th9.  She is currently scheduled for a double mastectomy on Monday, June 23rd.   Please pray with us that God would continue to show us His clear path for Sandi's treatment schedule.  Tonight we prayed for the Lord's leadership in our lives based on the verses in Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."  After a few weeks of recovering from this major surgery, she will undergo daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks.  If she's interested, she can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery in December. 

• FAMILY UPDATE: We will be taking a family vacation on June 2-10 to Billings, Montana (where Sandi spent part of her growing up years as a child).  When Sandi is scheduled to have her surgery, Josh and Bethany will be attending The Navigator's Eagle Lake Camp with some close friends (thanks to some scholarships we received).  Brian's mother will come from Milwaukee for a week to help around the house after Sandi has surgery.  Sandi's sister, Karen, will come from Minnesota to help the second week of Sandi's surgery recovery.

Tuesday Update - 5/13/03

• HEALTH UPDATE:  Sandi's chemo last Friday went very well.  She felt great all weekend and we were able to do a number of mother day activities as a family (a nice dinner out, hike in the park, breakfast in bed, etc.).  On Monday, Sandi received her $2000 shot that helps build up her immune system and white blood cell count.  Like last time, this has "laid her pretty low" (aches, pains and fatigue for about 3 days).

• TREATMENT UPDATE: We went and saw the breast surgeon on Tuesday.  Following Sandi's last chemo treatment, she is scheduled for a number of medical scans to see if there is any remaining cancer or tumors in her body.  She is scheduled for a double mastectomy on Monday, June 23rd.   After a few weeks of recovering from this major surgery, she will undergo daily radiation treatments for 6 weeks.  If she's interested, she can choose to have breast reconstruction surgery in December. 

• PROGNOSIS: We are so grateful for the prayers of so many people.  At this time, it looks like Sandi is on her way to an excellent recovery.  But continue to pray for us.  Cancer is a tricky disease to fight and things can sometimes take an unexpected turn for the worst.

Tuesday Update - 5/7/03  

• TREATMENT UPDATE:  Sandi's next chemo treatment is Friday, May 10th at 11:30am.

• TRAVEL PLANS: We were grateful for people's prayers this past week.  We (Brian & Sandi) had a WONDERFUL trip in North Carolina last week.  We attended the Billy Graham School of Evangelism Seminar at The Cove Conference Center in Asheville.  On the weekend, we ministered at a friend's church.  While we were gone, our kids did very well with the friends that were watching them.  Sandi felt great the ENTIRE TRIP and was able to fully participate in everything.  We were even able to get a day touring the largest private mansion in America (see photos), a 250-room French-style chateau that was built by the Vanderbilt family in the late 1800's.

Monday Update - 4/28/03

• HEALTH UPDATE:  Sandi felt quite fatigued for 2-3 days last week.  The last several days she has felt much better and has been able to carry out a normal schedule.

• HOME FRONT: Brian's mother, Dolores, has been visiting from Milwaukee for 2 weeks.  It is great to have her in town and she was a wonderful help to our family.

• TRAVEL PLANS: From Tuesday, April 29th to Monday, May 5th, we (Brian and Sandi) will be in North Carolina.  We will be attending a Billy Graham School of Evangelism Seminar at The Cove Conference Center in Asheville.  Over the weekend, we will be ministering on Sunday morning and Sunday evening at a friend's church in Eden, NC.  Please pray for safety in travel and for God's strength for us each day.  We would also appreciate prayer for our children (and those that will be helping to take care of them) while we are away.

• TV COVERAGE: TV stories on Sandi's road to recovery should be occurring for the next several weeks EACH Thursday at 6:30am and 10:00pm on Channel 13 KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs.

Monday Update - 4/21/03

• HEALTH UPDATE:  Sandi's chemo and a special shot she received last week has caused Sandi to feel more fatigue and body aches.  Please pray for God's strength for each day.  She is able to function most of the day, but feels more tired than usual and often needs to try and lay down and rest for an hour or so each day.

• EASTER SERVICE: Because our church is beginning to outgrow our facilities, we held one large Easter service at the popular Flying W Ranch Cowboy Band supper club.  It was a great time for everyone that gathered (more than 600 people) and all 4 Colorado Springs TV stations showed footage of our service on the 5:30 and 10pm news.  Sandi was a soloist for the service and our children were part of a hand bell choir with 40 kids.

• HOME FRONT: Brian's mother, Dolores, is visiting from Milwaukee for 2 weeks.  It is great to have her in town and she was a wonderful help preparing our family's Easter dinner.

• TV COVERAGE: TV stories on Sandi's road to recovery will resume on Thursday (April 24th) at 6:30am and 10:00pm on Channel 13 KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs.

Monday Update - 4/14/03

• HEALTH UPDATE:  Recently, Sandi's chemotherapy Doctor was concerned that Sandi's cancer may have spread to her lungs.  Last week, Sandi had a CAT Scan and they found out that the cancer has NOT spread to her lungs and that the cancerous growth under her left arm has completely disappeared!  We will find out in about 2 months if there is still cancer in her left breast and upper chest area.  We thank the Lord for this news that Sandi is continuing down the road to recovery!

• TREATMENT SCHEDULE:   Sandi's next chemotherapy will be this Wednesday.  She has been feeling fatigued for a few hours each day for the past week or two.

Monday Update - 4/7/03

• TREATMENT REPORT: Last Friday (April 4th), Sandi had a chemo treatment.  She felt excellent on Saturday and Sunday.  On Monday she was somewhat fatigued throughout the day, so Brian got to be "Mr. Mom" for his day off (i.e. as a Pastor, Brian has Monday's off).  As Sandi got some rest during part of the day, Brian drove Jeremy to kindergarten, got groceries, returned videos and library books, did some housecleaning, etc.).  In the coming week's, Sandi will be having a chest x-ray done to see if the cancer has spread.  In a few weeks, we hope to meet with surgeons to discuss Sandi's mastectomy and possible reconstructive breast surgery.

Monday Update - 3/31/03

• VERSE FOR THIS PAST WEEK: Ps 29:11 says, "The LORD gives strength to his people."

• SPRING BREAK VACATION: We want to thank people for their prayers during our spring break vacation in SW Colorado near Durango.  Before we left, Sandi was concerned she might not be up to going on vacation - - but we are grateful to God that we can report that Sandi FELT GREAT during our time near Durango.  While we were on vacation we stayed for free in a beautiful log home, went skiing in the mountains, went on a 5-hour 1880's steam locomotive train ride, visited the Mesa Verde National Park Cliff Dwellings, swam in the outdoor hot springs in Pagosa Springs, visited the Durango Recreation Xenter (with indoor swimming pools, high dives, water slide, hot tub, rock climbing wall, etc.), rested, read, played table games, slept in, hiked, and visited with our dear friends from church (The Walton family - who were able to stay with us for 3 1/2 days of our vacation).  TO SEE MORE PICTURES OF OUR VACATION, SEE BELOW.

• HEALTH REPORT: On the day we came home from vacation, Sandi came down with a serious eye infection that needed to be treated by a doctor in the middle of our 10 hour drive home through the mountains.   Even though Sandi's eye is almost completely healed (after 3 days), her next chemo treatment had to be delayed to Friday, April 4th at 11:30am.

• EMAIL: To email a note to Sandi & Brian, click here: bk@kluth.org

• MUSIC: To listen to Sandi's singing and guitar playing while reading this update, click any of the following songs:  Our God Reigns     Oh, How He Loves You and Me    Jesus Medley: There's Just Something About That Name AND Dear Jesus, You Are Everything To Me    Peace I Leave With You My Friend

CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE (click on right arrow to see all 8 photos)

We enjoyed a day of skiing in the Colorado mountains.

We enjoyed the privlege of staying in this beautiful vacation home for free.

A highlight of the trip was the Mesa Verde Cave Dwellings.

We were able to have quality and quantity time with the kids.

Josh and JJ loved the high dive at the pool.

We enjoyed the 5 hour train ride through the mountains.

We had a great time with the Walton family!

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We enjoyed a day of skiing in the Colorado mountains.

Monday Update - 3/17/03

• PAST WEEK: After last week's chemotherapy, Sandi did feel a little more tired than usual during the week.  There were a few afternoons where she rested for awhile.  Otherwise she has felt good and has been able to carry on her normal routine.  We have kidded with each other and wondered if her tiredness this past week was from the chemotherapy or being an active mother of 3 school age kids!

• SPRING BREAK VACATION: This Friday, we will be going on a family vacation with friends to Durango, CO (5-6 hour drive in SW Colorado).  We have been given the free use of a large guest home for this family vacation (March 21st-27th).  Please pray that Sandi is not too fatigued so she can enjoy this special time with family and friends.

• TV STORY: The last 3 TV stories from Feb 20, Feb 27 and Mar 6 can now be viewed from our website (see table above).  The next TV segment will appear next week of the following week on Thursday on Channel 13 (6:30am and 10pm new).

Monday Update - 3/10/03

• PAST WEEK: We thank the Lord that Sandi continued to feel great all week.  Over the weekend, our family went to Denver for a family retreat.  We were able to swim at the hotel, go out to our favorite Denver pizza place, visit Ocean Journey, and go shopping at the outlet mall between Denver and Colorado Springs.  We had a great time together as a family.

• TREATMENTS: Sandi started a new kind of chemotherapy today.  She will be getting this every 3 weeks for 3 months.  She did not have any noticeable negative side effects yet, but we were told that normally this chemo will cause her to be very fatigued 7-14 days after getting it.   She also has to start getting a special shot every 3 weeks that cost $2000 PER SHOT (ouch!!) that will help her with her white blood cell counts that could be negatively effected by the chemotherapy she is now taking.  Fortunately, our health insurance will cover most or all of the costs of this special shot.

• TV STORY: We learned today that Tim Glenn, Channel 13 TV anchor and program director for Sandi's TV news stories has gotten permission from his station to show Sandi's story as a "30 minute TV special" (probably this fall after all of Sandi's treatments are completed).  He told us the reason his supervisors approved this TV special is because the news stories have gotten such a favorable response from the viewing audience.  We thank the Lord for the incredible opportunity He's given us to share this journey and our faith in Him with the TV viewing audience in Colorado Springs.

Monday Update - 3/3/03

• PAST WEEK: We thank the Lord, that Sandi has felt great all week. 

• TREATMENTS: Sandi's next chemotherapy is scheduled for Monday, March 10th.  For the next 3 months, she will be put on a different chemotherapy than she had been getting.  Please pray for strength for Sandi and for minimal side effects (some common side effects are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin problems, etc.).  On Sunday, we had dinner with a delightful woman who was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer 12 months earlier than Sandi.  She and her husband shared with us some of their experiences of going through the treatments Sandi will be going through in the next 6 months.  We came away realizing some of our most difficult days are still ahead of us.  The good news was that this woman experienced a rare 100% complete recovery.

• TV STORY: This Thursday will be the last scheduled (#6 of 6) TV stories on Sandi's "Faithful Fight" with cancer.  In Colorado Springs, the next segment will be on Thursday on Channel 13 between 6:30-6:40am and 10:05-10:10pm.

Monday Update - 2/24/03

• PAST WEEK: Sandi feels well now, but following her 2/14 chemo treatment she felt fatigued and somewhat sick for about 5 days.

• TV STORY: This past weekend, Tim Glenn from Channel 13 came to our church to video tape Sandi singing special music and working with children.  He will use this video footage in one of the future news stories.  In Colorado Springs, the next segment will be on Thursday on Channel 13 between 6:30-6:40am and 10:05-10:10pm.

• SPECIAL FRIENDS: This past weekend, we were able to spend a lot of time with our dear friends Gordy and Cindy Druvenga from Minnesota who are in town for several days.

Monday Update - 2/17/03

• PAST WEEKEND: Sandi had a chemotherapy treatment this past Friday.  Over the weekend, she felt somewhat fatigued and sick.

• THANK YOU:  We appreciate your following Sandi's road to recovery.  Our family tremendously appreciates your love, prayers, help, encouragement and support during this journey!  It is our prayer that God would use this situation in our lives for His glory and to touch the lives of many others.  Psalm 40:3 says, "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD."

Here are Sandi's future treatment plans (as we currently understand them)...

• NEW CHEMOTHERAPY: Sandi will receive 4 chemotherapy treatments with a different kind of drug (Taxotere) than what she has been receiving.  These treatments are scheduled every 3rd Monday - March 10th, March 31st, April 21st, May 12th.  Please pray for Sandi during this time.  It is always possible that she could experience some of the negative side effects from this new type of chemotherapy (which include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, mouth sores, etc.). 

• MEDICAL TESTS & SCAN: In the middle of May, Sandi will go through a complete battery of tests to determine how effective her chemotherapy treatments have been in fighting the cancer.  If they determine the cancer has been shrinking enough or has disappeared, they will schedule Sandi for surgery.  If the tests determine the cancer has spread to any other part of her body, she would be reclassified as having Stage 4 Cancer which is considered inoperable and terminal - - if this were to happen, they would not do any surgery and would start new chemotherapy or alternative treatments to try and fight the spreading cancer.

• BREAST SURGERY: Depending on the results of the May tests, they will schedule Sandi for a mastectomy in June (removal of one or both breasts and possible reconstructive breast surgery).

• FAMILY VACATION: We are hoping to take a family vacation back to Wisconsin before the next round of treatments.

• RADIATION TREATMENT: In July, Sandi would be scheduled for 6 weeks of radiation treatments.

• MEDICAL TESTS & SCANS: Further tests and scans would then be conducted to determine if there is any more cancer and future treatment plans.

Thursday Update - 2/13/03

• PAST WEEK: Sandi has felt great all week. 

• TREATMENTS: Sandi's fourth chemotherapy treatment will be on Friday (Feb 14) at 1:30.  At this time, her cancer tumors continue to soften and shrink so we are very encouraged by the progress she is making.  After this week's chemotherapy treatment they will change her cancer fighting medicine to a different kind that she will take every 3rd week for 3 months.  This will be followed by breast surgery.  After the breast surgery she will go through 2 months of radiation therapy. 

• PRAYERS: We are grateful for the hundreds of people that have contacted us to let us know they are specifically praying for us.  We've heard from many people in our church, community, around the country and even around the world (friends and churches from India, Bulgaria, Colombia, Brazil, Romania, Siberia, Fiji Islands, Australia, Venezuela, New Zealand and other places).  Sandi even received a letter from President Bush (click to see letter). We are grateful for the prayers of many caring people and we truly feel the impact of people's prayers in our lives and in this battle against Sandi's cancer.  We continue to see the truth of the following Bible verse in Ps 18:28 lived out in our lives during this trial: "You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."

• TV STORY: If you're interested, you can "see and hear" the first TV news story about breast cancer that will feature Sandi and our family by clicking on the link in the box below.  For individuals living in Colorado Springs, this news  story will be shown in six different news story segments on Channel 13 news on Thursdays between 6:35-6:45AM or 10:05-10:10pm OR Sunday afternoons on CNN (local coverage). 

• EMAIL: To email a note to Sandi & Brian, click here: bk@kluth.org

• FINANCES: During the last few weeks, medical bills for Sandi's cancer have begun to come in.  We've also received a number of generous donations that people have been sent into the Helping Hands Benevolence fund to assist our family with out-of-pocket expenses related to Sandi's cancer and recovery.  For those desiring additional financial and donation information, click here: Contributions

Monday Update - 2/3/03

• PAST WEEK: Sandi was scheduled to be at a Christian conference in San Diego this past week.  But it turned out that all 3 of our children (Josh 10, Bethany 7 1/2 and Jeremy 6) ended up getting sick.  Because of the kids being sick, Sandi decided to cancel her trip to California.  But the good news was that her best friend from college, Donna Legrand (pictured), came for a long weekend visit.  Sandi and Donna had a great time together hiking, going out for meals and activities, talking hour upon hour, and much more.  Fortunately, all the kids were fully recovered within a few days and were able to go back to school.

• ENCOURAGING CARD: Over the last few months, we've received many wonderful emails, cards, letters and phone calls.  But one of the more special cards was from an anonymous member of our church who handwrote the following poem using the letters of Sandi's name:

•    S = A sensational, serving, Christian sister who really knows how to care. 

•     A = An awesome angelic artist whose music fills the air. 

•     N = A nice and nifty neighbor meeting many needs. 

•     D = A dear devoted daughter of God going where her Heavenly Father leads. 

•     I = An interesting individual with many facets to her life. 

•     K = She's kind, karing and konsiderate, a devoted mom and wife. 

•     L = A loving and loyal listener who takes time to lend an ear. 

•     U = She's unusually understanding to those her Lord brings near. 

•     T = She's a talented terrific teacher touching many a girl and boy. 

•    H = Building a happy home with love, holy-hope and joy!

• TV STORY: This past week, a 2-minute news story series on breast cancer that features Sandi has begun airing in Colorado Springs on Channel 13 and CNN (local weekend news).  Each Thursday for six weeks a new segment will appear between 6:30-6:40am and 10:05-10:10pm on Channel 13.  On CNN Sunday afternoon news, the story will normally appear each hour as part of the local news coverage in Colorado Springs. 

• HEALTH: Sandi continues to look and feel GREAT everyday!  Thanks for your continued prayers.

• EMAIL: To email a note to Brian & Sandi, click here: bk@kluth.org

Sunday Update - 1/26/03

• We had GREAT NEWS this past week!  Sandi had a medical test come back that showed she is responding to her chemo treatments (and people's prayers) and her cancer tumors are beginning to shrink!

• Sandi looks great and she continues to feel wonderful with a 100% of her energy. 

• Sandi's chemo treatment went well (on Friday, 1/24) and the TV anchor and cameraman came and took some more TV footage.  For those in Colorado Springs, starting this Thursday (Jan 30th) on KRDO TV Channel 13 (10pm late night news and 6am Good Morning Colorado news) a 4-week health watch news story will begin to appear about breast cancer that will feature clips from Sandi and our family.  These 2-3 minute TV stories will be presented weekly on the news for the NEXT 4 WEEKS.  Please pray that these TV stories will honor the Lord and that they will help bring help and hope to all who see them.  If we can find someone to provide the technical help and expertise we need, we will try to have internet video clips of the TV stories on this website within a few weeks.

(Photo 1) Sandi with Tim Glenn, Channel 13 TV Anchor & Producer, (Photo 2) Cameraman filming Sandi's doctor, Dr. Matei, (Photo 3) Sandi in a  LazyBoy chair next to the I.V. unit getting ready to start her 2-3  hour chemotherapy treatment.

Friday Update - 1/17/03

• We continue to rejoice that Sandi has felt GREAT all week (physically, emotionally and spiritually)!  Thank you for your continued prayers.

• The weekend of Jan 10-13, Brian took the 3 children back to Milwaukee to see his mother (and as you can see from the photo below, everyone was all smiles)!  The Midwest Express airline pilot let all the kids come and sit in the co-pilot seat before our flight took off.  Brian and the kids enjoyed seeing many friends and family members while they were back in Milwaukee.

• Sandi was able to stay back in Colorado for some R&R.  Because Sandi was feeling so well, she was able to go out with a number of friends from church for meals, movies and quality social time. 

• After Brian was "Mr. Mom" for 4 days in Milwaukee WITHOUT Sandi along, Brian has adopted his mother's daily prayer for Sandi: "Dear Lord, all of us need Sandi a lot more down here than you need her up there!  Please help Sandi fully recover." (SMILE)

• Please pray for Sandi's continued strength and the effectiveness of the chemo treatments in fighting the cancer in her body.  Her next chemo treatment is scheduled for Friday morning, January 24th at 11:30am.

Thursday Update - 1/9/03

• On Saturday night and Sunday, Sandi felt somewhat fatigued.  Otherwise she has felt great all week!  

• This week, Sandi's two sisters, Karen and Deb, have been visiting from Minnesota.  They have helped around the house, but because Sandi was feeling so well they were also able to go and do a lot of fun things (hiking in the Garden of the Gods, having tea at the Glen Eyrie Castle, going out for some meals with our family, attending a Women's Bible study, and more!).

• This weekend, Sandi will get some R&R time.  Brian is taking the kids to see their grandmother (his mother) in Milwaukee until Monday.  A family friend, Liz Wilke, will be staying with Sandi while Brian and the kids are away.

• Sandi sang a solo at church on Sunday and a lot of people thought her wig was her real hair.  If you haven't previously looked at Sandi's "funny wig pictures" that we put on this site, click here: FUNNY WIG PICS.

• Thanks for your continued love, prayers and concern for Sandi and our family!  We are grateful for many, many people and groups that have been praying for us as the Lord brings us to mind and for those who specifically pray for us each day.

Thursday Update - 1/2/03

• Sandi had her 2nd of 8 chemotherapy treatments (Thursday afternoon, 1/2/03).  We thank the Lord that everything went very well on Thursday.

• We met with our doctor and she was very pleased to hear that Sandi had NO negative side effects (fatigue, nausea, vomiting) from the first chemo treatment 3 weeks ago.  As a matter of fact, Sandi has felt GREAT all 3 weeks (emotionally, spiritually and physically)!  Although we weren't expecting it, we were able to have a wonderful Christmas season as a family.

• The TV crew came and shot some more footage for the coming TV reports they will be doing on breast cancer for the early and late night news on Channel 13 in Colorado Springs.  These reports will follow our family's journey over the next 8 to 9 months.  The first TV report should appear during the middle or end of January.  We will provide the specific details on the website when we know them and we also hope to put the TV video clip on this website for everyone to be able to see.

• This past weekend, Sandi did begin to lose her hair so on Monday we cut all of her hair off and she is now wearing a wig (pictured in the upper right).  As hard as it is to lose one's hair, Sandi figures she'll have at least a year of no "bad hair days."  It now only takes her 2 minutes to get her hair ready everyday!  A number of people have commented how real and how attractive her wig looks on her.  Just for fun, we have some hilarious pictures you can see to find out what Sandi looked like with blonde, black and red hair!  Click here for: Funny Wig Pics.

• We saw medical scans today that showed that Sandi's cancer is now located in her left breast, under her arm and in the upper left chest area.  Her cancer has now been reclassified from Stage 3B to Stage 3C which is one step closer to the serious Stage 4 which is considered inoperable, terminal and incurable (from a medical view - - but not from God's perspective).

• Our church congregation has been so helpful and caring.  This Sunday, Brian will begin leading everyone in our church through a one year journey of reading through the New Testament together.  Hundreds of One Year Bibles were ordered and Brian also put together a one year daily NT Bible reading plan with helpful suggestions.  Every Sunday, Brian will preach from the passages that everyone read during the week.  We've never been part of a church that has daily read through their Bible together and many people seem excited for the spiritual growth, vitality and unity this could bring to individuals, families and our entire church congregation.  Brian's sermons will be available to listen to over the internet by Sunday evening.  If interested, click here for: sermon notes & audio messages.

• As a family, we went to Denver for a New Year's getaway.  Last Saturday, we also visited some new friends who live 40 minutes away that own horses.  Sandi and the kids all got to spend some time riding horses (a love of Sandi's since she owned her own horse many years ago).

• We continue to thank the Lord for the nearly 300 people that visited the website this past week to get updates on what's happening.  Many people are using the information on the website to help them pray for our family during this time.  We are grateful for all these prayers!

• Sandi's two sisters from Minnesota, Karen & Deb, will be visiting Monday through Friday (January 6-10).  This should be a very special time for Sandi and her sisters.

• Brian is planning on taking the kids back to Milwaukee from Jan 9-13 to see their grandmother (Brian's mother).  They will be visiting in their old church, Harvest Community Church, on Sunday morning the 13th.  Sandi will stay in Colorado Springs and get some R&R (and a friend will be coming to stay with her).  This special trip back to Milwaukee for Brian and the kids is made possible in part because of 2 Midwest Express Airline employee airline passes that a dear friend, Char Baumann, is providing to our family.

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Previous Updates

To see updates from Thanksgiving through Christmas, including A PERSONAL LETTER Sandi received from PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH, pictures of an enchanted evening when Brian & Sandi were guests of honor at a Castle banquet, and other details, click here: Thanksgiving through Christmas Updates.

To send Brian & Sandi an email message OR to request future updates by email,

CLICK HERE: Email Kluths