Kids Banned From Hospital Hold Special Sign Outside Window for Grandma Battling Cancer

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No one likes seeing a loved one suffer. Unfortunately, it’s a part of life that comes at a certain point and eventually goes away. But when sickness strikes, it can be easy to feel helpless and frustrated. Oftentimes, all you can do is provide emotional support and comfort through some encouraging words.

That’s exactly what one family from Delaware Valley did for their beloved grandmother, Sandy Vanderstine, who was diagnosed with brain cancer. Vanderstine’s grandkids, whom she affectionately nicknamed the “Magnificent Seven,” were determined to stand by their Mommom, as they call her, even if they had to do it from afar.

In February, Vanderstine underwent stem cell transplant surgery at the Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. As the hospital has a policy of not letting children under the age of 16 into the room of a patient with a weakened immune system, the Magnificent Seven weren’t allowed to be by their grandma’s bedside. But that didn’t stop them from showing unconditional support and love to her when she needed it the most.

Committed to supporting her no matter what, they held out a sign from outside her window that read, “We love you, Mommom,” which Vanderstine could see from her hospital window. Aside from their sign, the kids were also donned in custom-made T-shirts that read: “No one fights alone, my Mommom.”

One of Vanderstine’s granddaughters, Colette Weidle, 15, said that she hopes their support will help in the healing process. “We try to all keep a positive mindset because she is the rock of our family and she keeps all of us here, we’re all here because of her,” she told Fox29. “So, by us showing how much we love her, it’s kind of healing her in a sense because we’re always going to be there with her.”

According to Vanderstine, her grandkids’ thoughtful gesture “brought her to tears.”

“They’ve been really amazing, they go the extra step, the extra mile,” she said. “They’re always looking to take care of me and they hold me up when I’m sick, they’ve been wonderful.”

This isn’t their first time that the grandmother is going through this. In fact, she’s battled the big C three times before. And she’s determined to keep fighting.

Nicole Weidle, one of Vanderstine’s three daughters, said that the Magnificent Seven are a big part of why she’s still got some fighting spirit in her. “It’s them that keeps her fighting and keeps her going,” she said. “I think they’re so appreciative and loving because she would do anything for them.”

The loving kids also wrote letters and quotes for their grandma during her stay.

According to Fox News, Vanderstine is doing well after receiving a stem cell transplant and having her brain tumor removed.

In the United States, brain tumors are the 10th leading cause of death for both men and women. In 2019, it is estimated that about 10,410 women and 13,410 men could be diagnosed with primary cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord.

But that’s not to say that without the right treatment, one can’t beat it. Studies have been done on stem cells and their ability to release cancer-killing toxins in the brain. It’s an uphill battle, one that some have to contend with. Like many people who’ve been diagnosed with a serious disease, it’s the support of their loved ones that gives them the strength to fight on. Thankfully, Sandy Vanderstine has an entire team behind her, rooting for her every step of the way.