Sandra Rae Balich

My mother was a good person who did her best to raise me right. We fought often, but all she wanted was for me to be happy. My mother loved the sun. She'd tan outside in the summer all afternoon and would go to tanning salons in the winter. She said the bright lights helped her feel better. In June of 2007 a mole on her back changed and upon going to the doctor, she found out she had melanoma, a deadly form a skin cancer. She had many outpatient surgeries to remove the cancer but by May of 2008 it had spread. It continued to spread that summer. Each plan of action the doctors had prepared wouldn't work due to the cancer rapidly spreading all over her body including her blood, brain, and possibly her bones and liver. In August of 2008 she underwent brain surgery that left her temperorally paralyzed on her right side. She kept her amazing postitive attitiude and worked hard to regain her movement. By November 1st 2008 my mother was able to attend my wedding. She was walking with the help of a walker. But on November 11 she suffered a siezer that brought her back to square one. She was also starting to forget who we all were. She couldn't remember conversations that we just finished having. The last time she and I had a real conversation was January 2 2009. It was her 53rd birthday. I remember saying "I love you" to her and her saying it back to be. Then it was like she was gone. After that she see things that weren't there. She'd talk about people who weren't real. By the beginning of February 2009 it was suggested to my father that he do home hospice. She wasn' eating and has in horrible pain all the time. Hospice lasted for 2 weeks. I got a call from my father on Feb 18 saying I better hurry home, today was her last day. I arrived at 2:50pm and she passed at 3:03pm. My father and the nurse told her I was coming. My mother waited for me. She passed away quietly that afternoon. As much as we didn't get along, I never thought I'd miss her so much. She loved her job. She loved her life. She fought til the very end. She had the most postitive and upbeat attitude.