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Dark n Stormy Knight

(10,046 posts)
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 09:47 PM Nov 12

My sister is dying. She was diagnosed with Stage 4

Last edited Fri Nov 15, 2024, 07:11 AM - Edit history (2)

uterine cancer two years ago. The prognosis was bad. But she decided to do everything possible to survive. She's been in treatment ever since. She's had an amazingly positive attitude. A few times it looked as though she might even be heading toward remission, but that hope would each time be dashed not long after

About a month ago, they diagnosed her with leptomeningeal disease, meaning the cancer cells have infiltrated her cerebrospinal fluid. The prognosis is near certain death within a few months at most.

She has had a few stroke-like incidents over the past couple of weeks. Two days ago they admitted her to Sloan Kettering hospital in NYC. She is losing her vision, can only walk with a walker, and is having awful headaches.

My selfish concern is that the shattering of our once-close relationship will soon become permanent. She turned against me when I decided to estrange from my brother because his behavior had become unacceptable & unbearable to me.

I have seen her only about 5 times since she was first diagnosed, by her choice. We had for many years been very close. Now, she barely contacts me and is slow to reply when I try to contact her. Her husband told one of my sisters he didn't want me visiting because I might "bring her down."

Odd to remember that she sent me the fateful CT scan that showed the initial cancer prior to her appointment to discuss it with her doctor. I guess because I'd been doing so much research related to my husband's cancer, she expected I could understand & explain the radiologist's findings.

My mother turned 87 yesterday. On October 25 of 2020, my dad (her husband) died of pancreatic cancer. On December 26th, her only son (my only brother, from whom I was estranged) died in a fall witnessed by his two young adult sons.

Mom and one of my other sisters went up yesterday and are staying in a hotel near the hospital & have been allowed to visit with her. Her husband is by her side most of the time, as are her 3 daughters. So, I'm glad she's not alone.

I last saw her on September 28th at a small family reunion. We didn't end up hanging out that much except in large group situations. Around a small table together, when we were looking at old photos, she got angry because, when she said she'd never seen a certain photo before, I said she probably had.

It looks like that event will have been the last time I ever saw her. So, I guess I'm experiencing what I've heard called anticipatory grief. I'm also feeling helplessness & regret that I couldn't find a way to repair our relationship.😢

Well I don't suppose anyone had the time & patience to read all of that, but I appreciate having a place to tell my story.

******************************
I don't know the best way to share this addendum, but I hope this will work.

I am thankful to each of you for your sweet words of understanding & support. DU really does have so many wonderful, happy new kind-hearted people.

I have read all of your replies and am thinking over all of what's been said. I wish I could reply to each of you, but I'm just not able to right now.

In response or to clarify a couple of things:

My husband & I have asked my sister directly (via text, her fave communication method) a few different times over the past couple of years for her to come visit us or for an OK to come to her house, like we used to.

She ignores the requests to visit her. And only responded to the idea of coming here when a David Bowie-related show (She's a huge Bowie fan) was in town. Twice she said she would come, but the first time she forgot, the second time she ended up having a treatment session that prevented her from coming.

So, my husband and I don't feel we can force our way into visiting her.

She is the youngest of we 5 siblings at 58. I'm the oldest. We 4 "girls" are all still here, as of this moment & have what passes for reasonably relationships in our dysfunctional family.

I'm an atheist, but my dying sister has some sort of faith. And she's said repeatedly that she feels & appreciates the thoughts &/or prayers from our family, friends, and even strangers.

Thank you again, DU, for being here for me, and not just this time!

34 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My sister is dying. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 (Original Post) Dark n Stormy Knight Nov 12 OP
Hug to you. Eko Nov 12 #1
I come from a close family of 6 Dennis Donovan Nov 12 #2
I'm youngest at 69 Arrgh Nov 12 #25
Siblings. Just do what you can. marble falls Nov 12 #3
Sorry. You still have a chance to say goodbye. kerouac2 Nov 12 #4
I am so sorry for what you are going through, Dark n Stormy Knight. wordstroken Nov 12 #5
Thanks for telling your story.. Permanut Nov 12 #6
I'm so sorry Dark n Stormy choie Nov 12 #7
No,.. Dark n Stormy Night,.. magicarpet Nov 12 #8
very sorry Skittles Nov 12 #9
You could not write such a thing and not care about her Jarqui Nov 12 #10
Love to you Dark n Stormy... maspaha Nov 12 #11
Never miss a chance to say "I love you''... oldsoldierfadingfast Nov 12 #12
Holding you in the light! Keep us up to date! n/t KatK Nov 12 #13
Family relationships are so complicated. Hope22 Nov 12 #14
I am so sorry about your sister. Please be at peace with yourself. LoisB Nov 12 #15
I'm so sorry for what's happening to your sister and to you. Solly Mack Nov 12 #16
It's right to share Easterncedar Nov 12 #17
Isn't it your brother in law not wanting you to visit? cate94 Nov 12 #18
Do you think you could send her a card (possibly Tanuki Nov 12 #19
Nothing prepares us for the loss of a loved one. littlemissmartypants Nov 12 #20
I read it. Beacool Nov 12 #21
I'm sorry you have to go though this . . . SarcasticSatyr Nov 12 #22
I did. Have the time, I mean. PatrickforB Nov 12 #23
You write so very well, my dear Dark n Stormy Knight . . .I read every word. CaliforniaPeggy Nov 12 #24
I am so very sorry, Dark n Stormy. sheshe2 Nov 13 #26
Sending peace vibes your way KT2000 Nov 13 #27
So much I'd say to you others already have. summer_in_TX Nov 13 #28
What you are feeling is so very OK and normal hippiegranola Nov 13 #29
Flowers? Dear_Prudence Nov 13 #30
I'm sorry this is part of your life now. calimary Nov 13 #31
Hug (hug) XanaDUer2 Nov 13 #32
Your Faux pas Nov 13 #33
Very late here. Couldn't follow it all. But sorry for her terrible fate, and what you're going through. Gentle hug. electric_blue68 Nov 17 #34

Dennis Donovan

(27,401 posts)
2. I come from a close family of 6
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 09:54 PM
Nov 12

I'm the youngest at 59. The older 5 have all passed away, the last one - my oldest brother - days before last Christmas.

Cherish them while they're here.

Arrgh

(16 posts)
25. I'm youngest at 69
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:56 PM
Nov 12

and I lost my oldest sister, 79, two years ago. Last of my family. You don't realize how profound that is until you have no one to talk with about your shared family history. At least once or twice a week there's something I wish I could ask her.

A friend of mine had the same situation. He said he realized when his sister died, that was the last person who had known him all his life, and he never felt so alone. I kind of wish he hadn't said that. It keeps me up at night.

kerouac2

(744 posts)
4. Sorry. You still have a chance to say goodbye.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:02 PM
Nov 12

You can't change the past. If she has two months left and you can see her one last time, then you might want to just do it before it's too late. You said you were once close. So just go, hold her hand and tell her you love her. That is something I don't think you will regret. Sorry for the pain you're going through.

wordstroken

(671 posts)
5. I am so sorry for what you are going through, Dark n Stormy Knight.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:03 PM
Nov 12

I feel your pain and mental suffering; and understand your helplessness and regret that you couldn’t find a way to repair your relationship. I’m there, too.

Please take care of yourself during this extremely difficult time. We are here for you.

Permanut

(6,714 posts)
6. Thanks for telling your story..
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:06 PM
Nov 12

I lost my Sister in 2021 to a recurrence of cancer. She was 77, and had spent a lifetime fighting for civil rights, particularly for LBGTQ causes. She was out and proud, and I was proud of her. I'll go further than that, she was my hero.

I'm very fortunate that we had that close relationship; I'm sorry that you don't have that. I don't regret that she has not had to witness the emergence of the Fourth Reich.

magicarpet

(16,949 posts)
8. No,.. Dark n Stormy Night,..
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:07 PM
Nov 12

.... I read it all the way through. You are a good writer and got the story across very well. It would be nice if she called out for you before she passed to the other side. You did your best to mend that fence. All you can do is wait hoping time will allow you a personal bye bye and a warm hug.

And the world keeps on turning as we travel through space and time.

Jarqui

(10,506 posts)
10. You could not write such a thing and not care about her
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:20 PM
Nov 12

You "repaired" (if it needed any repair) or sustained the thing that you could control - your caring.
That much is very clear.

Deep down, she probably knows.

I'm sorry for what you are going through

12. Never miss a chance to say "I love you''...
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:24 PM
Nov 12

One red rose says it all. Take or send her one; tell her that you may have had differences of opinions in the past, but they did not diminish your love for her.

I loved you in our past, I love you now, and I always will.

Hope22

(3,101 posts)
14. Family relationships are so complicated.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:29 PM
Nov 12

My heart goes out to you. My experience in the looking back is that we don’t really remember or possibly we begin to doubt how hard we tried to make things work out along the way. Be easy with yourself. If you really need to be with your sister again is it possible to contact one of her daughters to see if you could visit? I couldn’t be with my father due to distance at the end. To mark the space in time I went to a park that we frequented when I was growing up. It was Christmas and so we sang Christmas carols there and remembered easier, happier times. It fed my soul at a very sad time. Maybe there is something you could do to mark the space in time if you are not able to make a visit. You have tried your hardest and my heart goes out to you. Peace and love to you. 💗💗💗🙏🏼💐

Easterncedar

(3,647 posts)
17. It's right to share
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:48 PM
Nov 12

I am sorry for all you have gone and are now going through. It’s terrible. I have a sister I am separated from, too. I can’t fix it and it is a constant grief, especially as we are very clearly running out of time.

Take care of yourself as much as you can. I wish you peace.

cate94

(2,900 posts)
18. Isn't it your brother in law not wanting you to visit?
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:51 PM
Nov 12

Ask her if you can visit. If you can’t reach her, ask your mom to ask for you. Geez, this is someone you love, let her know while you can.

Tanuki

(15,396 posts)
19. Do you think you could send her a card (possibly
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 10:55 PM
Nov 12

via the other sister), expressing your love, and your hopes of being able to visit? My heart goes out to you....losing a sibling is tough, even without being compounded by complex dynamics and estrangement.

littlemissmartypants

(25,890 posts)
20. Nothing prepares us for the loss of a loved one.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:08 PM
Nov 12

Write to her. Send her a letter or a card. Tell her everything you want to say. Send it. If she is never able to understand it because it sounds like her cognition has become affected by her illness, you've sent her love in the last enduring way you can with words from your heart.

At least you will know that you did your part to maintain your part of your sisterly bond. It will live forever in the universe once you let it go.

I'm holding you in my heart. I hope you can find some comfort in my words. There will be comfort in your happy memories when she leaves you. Hold tight to that happiness.

❤️pants

Beacool

(30,331 posts)
21. I read it.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:08 PM
Nov 12

As sad as it is to lose a sibling, given what you wrote, be at peace knowing that you tried to see her. If these are her final days, and she doesn't wish to see you, then unfortunately you have no choice but to stay away. When the inevitable happens, be there for your mom, and her family if they permit it. I'm sorry that you're going through this situation. Losing family is tough, even when we are not close to them anymore. A virtual hug is going your way.


SarcasticSatyr

(1,295 posts)
22. I'm sorry you have to go though this . . .
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:27 PM
Nov 12

I watched my father waste away for 18 months, and even though we all knew what would happen it still somehow came as a shock.

PatrickforB

(15,126 posts)
23. I did. Have the time, I mean.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:48 PM
Nov 12

I do not know what I can say or do to help - the grief is real and the pain is real. Time may heal some of it, but the memory will remain. If you are a believer prayer can help. And I will pray (or think good thoughts if you prefer) also.

CaliforniaPeggy

(152,443 posts)
24. You write so very well, my dear Dark n Stormy Knight . . .I read every word.
Tue Nov 12, 2024, 11:53 PM
Nov 12

My heart goes out to you. You're in a hard and sad place. I hope that you'll get to see her once more before she dies.

KT2000

(20,949 posts)
27. Sending peace vibes your way
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 12:19 AM
Nov 13

I am glad you shared because it helps you sort out your feelings. Peace to you.

summer_in_TX

(3,294 posts)
28. So much I'd say to you others already have.
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 12:36 AM
Nov 13

Sending you a and 🙏 for you and your sister at this heartbreaking time, Dark n Stormy.

hippiegranola

(1 post)
29. What you are feeling is so very OK and normal
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 12:47 AM
Nov 13

Dark n Stormy Knight,

What you are going through is normal. It's an overused phrase in our society, but you are experiencing the "new normal" and there is no going back. I have gone through it with both my parents and my older brother. When you feel the wave of grief, take a deep breath. I'm not sure where you are at with your faith, but I will say a prayer for you and your sister.

Hang in there,

Hippie

Dear_Prudence

(838 posts)
30. Flowers?
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 11:06 AM
Nov 13

I sent flowers to an estranged friend when she had triple by-pass surgery. I didn't send a card or phone because I wasn't sure where our relationship stood and I didn't want to cross boundaries when she was so vulnerable. The little card said something like, 'Thinking of you. If I can help, just let me know. Love, (from me)' She texted a thanks for the flowers. A couple weeks later her husband called for me to take her for a checkup because she couldn't climb up into his truck. Of course, it could could have backfired, like maybe her getting angry for exposing her to flower pollen, but, at least with flowers I could let the flowers do the talking. Take care of yourself now.

calimary

(84,603 posts)
31. I'm sorry this is part of your life now.
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 02:32 PM
Nov 13

I guess we all have some kind of version of it.

I’m glad you posted about what you’re going through. You have lots of emotional support here - at any hour (or time zone!). Thank you for letting us in during this trying time for you and your family.

And don’t forget what our beloved Skittles once observed: “someone’s always here.” At any hour, in any time zone. You’re never gonna go through it alone, because you have DU.

Faux pas

(15,421 posts)
33. Your
Wed Nov 13, 2024, 05:33 PM
Nov 13

circumstances make my eyes leak because I don't know how you can handle all these things that are like a huge relentless tsunami of pain, loss and devastation that is too much for one mere mortal to handle. I prefer to send all of my best vibes out to the Universe for healing and strength to you, your mom and any and all family and friends going through this with you Dark n Stormy Knight.
For you sister I send the vibes she will need to make peace with herself to get thru her final journey.

Peace Love and Joy

electric_blue68

(18,685 posts)
34. Very late here. Couldn't follow it all. But sorry for her terrible fate, and what you're going through. Gentle hug.
Sun Nov 17, 2024, 04:47 AM
Nov 17
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