Goodbye Stu!

Today I write with great sadness that my (our) beautiful Stu has passed away.  He took his last breath at 9:07am.  Stu has been such a gift to us all.  I know you will miss him as much as the girls, his family and I do.
We will keep him alive in memories and crazy stories, as I know there are many!!

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the rides, the shirts, the meals, the hugs, the flowers, the GrubHub meals, the DoorDash, the wristbands, the Cal gear, the FoodSmith meals (SO MANY MEALS FILLED WITH LOVE!!), the Frog Hollow Farms gf, the wine, the dog walks, the Giant's games, the Shark's games, the football games, golf games, Vegas trip, the Ten Ichi birthday bash, the 50th birthday celebration, the neighbors sending our girls to horseback riding camp, the drives to school, watching our kids so Stu and I could go to Maui alone, for using your vacation time to watch our kids during trips to LA, for a place to lay our heads when in LA.  I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I know and I am so thankful that you've carried us for nearly two straight years!

If you wanted to do something by way of flowers, we would much prefer that you send a small donation to this amazing school that supports underrepresented youth.

For your consideration:
http://www.eastside.org/_giving/giving.html

Celebration of Life service will happen in a few weeks.  No funeral or memorial service will happen.
I'm around next week if you want to get together and have a good cry with me! :)
Stick around friends, we want and need you in our lives going forward!!

Giving Thanks!!

We’ve had so many wonderful visitors come by since Stu came home.
Here are some of the pictures. Thank you for visiting, for the meals, flowers, stories, crown royal, rides, runs to the store, hugs, shoulders, phone calls and the amazing heating pad!! We are lifted up by you all!!  For those whose pictures I didn't think to take (because I was having too much fun with you!!) sorry about that! 
We are well, just enjoying good times with family and friends.

Aunt Angie takes Stu and Natalie out for a holiday lunch!!

We had a great time yesterday walking to downtown Los Altos for lunch at The Post.  It was a fairly warm day and it was very special to have this time together while Sandi was with her friend, Kristi, for their holiday lunch.  

May your holidays be joyous!!

STU IS HOME!!!

Here’s a short update from Stu’s mom, Natalie:

The best holiday news is that Stu came home Friday after three weeks of working very hard with the therapists at Valley Med; it is an amazing hospital for anyone that needs intensive therapy.  He had at least three hours of therapy six days a week, a pretty grueling schedule.  The therapists were top notch and his doctor, Dr. Duong was so caring.  Thanks to all of you who came to visit.  

Of course the best thing is that Stu is now home.  He will continue to get therapy (the therapists will come to the house).  If you want to visit, please check in with Sandi to check on his schedule.  

Happy holidays to you and your families. 

Where has the time gone?

Hey there!
Sorry for the delayed update!  I just looked at the date today and it's already November 16!
The days have just flown by as we all waited for Stu to start to feel better.  Every day was 100% better than the day before.  Stu is doing well, although the right leg doesn't seem to be working now.  I drove him home from LA yesterday and admitted him into Santa Clara Valley Medical Acute Rehab at 751 South Bascom Ave, San Jose, CA.  He will likely be there for a few weeks of learning to use a wheelchair and possibly get some movement back in that right leg.  We will have a better schedule of therapies and how long Stu will be there in a few days.

He can totally have visitors and I recommend visiting after 5pm and before 8pm if possible so that he can sleep.  Day time visits are fine, just know that he might need space or privacy sometimes as he needs to attend to therapy sessions, rest between therapies or use the restroom.

Week days I'll plan to be with Stu from 9am to 2:30pm and so some evening company would be good.  I'll pop in on week nights and weekends as I can between taking care of the girls activities.  Feel free to text me if you are heading over there.

~Sandi

Happy happy Friday!!

Stu had a rough go during surgery yesterday, but he is no longer under sedation and there isn't seizure activity so far, which is really good!  Stu's mom and Aunt are there with him, so he sees smiling faces when he wakes up.  He has wiggled his toes and the vitals are good.

Everyone is wondering... how I'm doing. Well, scared some times and very often hopeful and basically still just same old Sandi.  I'm not depressed, desperate or unable to function from sadness. I haven't neglected myself in the midst of this. I see friends, I eat healthy, I exercise, I do fun things, I cry when I need to, I take care of myself and our girls, I'm not abusing drugs or alcohol (or caffeine).   It's a lot, but as a wise women recently said "I can do hard things".  She's right (love her!!)!  And I'm taking care of myself and keeping the girls close (Teenagers!!! But that's another topic!).  And Stu is soooo positive and just glad to fight and continue to work at being present for all of us.  I love that man and I'm up for everything and everywhere our ride together takes us to.  Stu takes care of us too.  He folds laundry, pulls weeds and waters the lawn.  He walks the dog, cuts the roses (and cut the pretty rose for me), he goes to movies and still kicks by butt at chess, goes to lunch with friends, is always present for the girls... see, awesome!  We're good.  We will always be good cause we are surrounded by so much love and support.

I hope we can take Stu home on Monday, but I'm not sure with all the seizures that have happened if he will need to stay longer or get to leave.  It's a wait and see game right now.
Stu is up for brief visits if you are in LA.  It's at 2121 Santa Monica Blvd. Santa Monica CA.  He's in ICU/Recovery at this time.  You just ask where he is at the front desk if I haven't posted a room #.
Thanks for caring!
Sandi & Stu, Stella and Jaida too!

Out of Surgery and recovering

Stu was in surgery for 5 hours.  I came back home to be with the girls and keep them in school.
The doctor and I spoke just now.  4:45pm
Stu had a seizure just as they were opening him up to get the gunk out.  The seizures continued throughout the surgery and the doctor had to add different medications to help get things under control, but nothing was working.  The doctor finally had to give a medication that induced a coma.  They were then able to remove about 70% of the scar tissue and tumor, while still trying to preserve Stu :).
Language couldn't be touched, so we aren't sure how much talking Stu will be able to do.  Motor function is looking good, so hopefully that right hand will start to function better for him in the future.
Stu is in ICU and his mom, Natalie is by his side.  He is will remain in an induced coma tonight while all the medications leave his system.  Hopefully he will be up and smiling tomorrow.
Prayers!
Sandi, Stu, Stella and Jaida