Help Me Help My Sister?

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wingedheart1952
wingedheart1952 Member Posts: 7
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer
Hi.  My name is Sally and I'm so happy to find this site.  Maybe you wonderful ladies can help me.  I do not have breast cancer; my sister just started chemotherapy for stage III ductal breast CA last week.  I am terrified for her and am feeling quite overwhelmed because she leans on me a lot.  Not that I wish it were otherwise; we've always been close and she is my baby sister.  I have had colon and kidney CA so I have heard the dreaded three word diagnosis, "You have cancer," myself and understand its impact all too well.  I guess it's the fear of the unknown that makes this so scary for me since I don't know quite what to expect for her.  It doesn't help that I am disabled and in a wheelchair and can't do all that I would like to to help her.  Would it be okay if I hang around and ask questions as they arise?  It would mean a great deal to me to have some place where I could come to get some support while I am supporting my sister.  She doesn't have internet service or I would send her here.   
One of the first things I have done is to obtain a P.O. box in her name so I can organize a greeting card drive for her.  She has little support at home and feels quite alone except for me and her husband.  Her grown children aren't around much; she also has a 14 year old daughter at home.  I thought this would be a nice suprise and I know it would thrill her to no end to know she wasn't as alone as she thought she was!  If any of you would be interested in sending her a get well or thinking of you card, this is her address:  Susan Koprivec, P.O. Box 226, Uhrichsville, OH  44683.  Her birthday is the 24th of this month so a birthday card would work also. 
Anyway, thanks for reading this and I look forward to getting to know you.  Any insight you have as to ways I could help support my sister would really be appreciated.

Blessings to you,
Sally
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Comments

  • Bugs
    Bugs Member Posts: 1,719
    edited March 2010

    I sure wish I had had a sister like you going when I went through this!  You are more than welcome to come here and ask questions.  Tell your sister that there are many of us "stage 3 sisters" pulling for her. 

    What a wonderful idea on the card drive!

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  • apple
    apple Member Posts: 7,799
    edited March 2010

    how old is your sister?

    there are many of us who are successfully battling this disease.  you'll learn a lot and gain much hope by reading particularly, this stage III forum.

    I'll send a card.. you are very thoughtful.

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2010

    What a great sis you are!  I would LOVE to write to her!  I have a 13 year old daughter (and an 11 year old son) ANDDDDD, my birthday is the 24th too!  So we can celebrate together.

    Take care of yourself too through this journey.

    Love,

    Sharon

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited March 2010

    I signed up for ChemoAngels during chemo, and was connected with two lovely ladies who sent cards every week to me. It was lovely. I am still in regular contact with one of them.

    Check out their site - http://www.chemoangels.net/

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2010

    Hi Sally, I hope you are still checking here.  I have a card ready to go, so it should be your way by mid week I would think.  Keep a look out for it!

    Sharon

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  • LL12
    LL12 Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2010

    Hi Sally, You are a great sister so caring and concern for your younger sister. Your sister must be very grateful that she still have you and her family members to support her. Me, single and alone, without husband and kids to support. My breast conditions is still under close follow up, if turn cancer, I don't think I'm able to cope. Anyway, you can keep on sourcing info to help your sister. BTW, as your sister have breast cancer, you should also need to go for your own yearly breast check up as sometimes breast cancer do related to genetic problem. Such a great sister your are, cheers.

    Ok, I will be sending a card to your sister soon.

    Wishing your sister, Happy Birthday!

    Best Wishes

    LL12

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  • wingedheart1952
    wingedheart1952 Member Posts: 7
    edited March 2010
    Thanks, everyone, for the warm welcome.  Susan will be 53 on the 24th of this month (I'll be 58 in April), but she will always be my BABY sister! Surprised   LOL  We were tossed around a lot as kids because of an abusive father (among other reasons) and I became more like a mother figure to her.  When she joined the Army National Guard after high school, I really about lost my mind with her being states away from me.  My phone bill was astronomical!  Surprised  Kerry, thanks for the lead on ChemoAngels, I'll go check them out.  LL12, also thanks for the reminder about getting myself checked.  I already do due to having had kidney cancer and cancerous polyps removed from my colon.  I have my 3 year check up post surgery for the kidney cancer next month and I had my yearly colonoscopy a couple months ago.  So far, so good for me.  I don't say this to sound like a martyr or anything, but I really wish that if one of us had to have breast cancer, it would have been me.  I don't have children and have been single for about seven years so I don't have anyone depending on me (except Sis, of course).  Susie has so much more to live for than I do.  I would take this on for her in a minue if I could.  Of course, it's not in my control.

    She had her first chemotherapy Thursday and is now part of a new 20 year study that is being done on ductal breast cancer.  I'm really proud of her for stepping up as she absolutely hates dealing with anything medical and this will mean more follow-up etc.  She says me and our late Mom are her inspiration.  She flatters me.  I've been through so much, but our mom died from a muscle disease that trapped her in her body. It was horrible.  She's been gone over a decade but it seems like yesterday to me. 

    Anyway.  Thanks for letting me vent and for being here to help.  You are helping my sister in ways you don't even know as she has no one else to talk to about cancer but me.  My health is poor and I struggle on a day-to-day basis with depression but I will never give up as long as I can listen and keep her informed and supported in every way I can. 

    Love and blessings to all of you,
    Sally
    p.s.  Please feel free to pass her address along to anyone or any groups you know of who would send Susan cards.  Thanks.
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  • LL12
    LL12 Member Posts: 21
    edited March 2010

    Hi Sally

    I had already sent a birthday card to your sister last two days ago. Sorry to say that your sister, Susan might received the card late.

    Last two days it's had been a stressful night for me and finally I felt relieved when I get my recent us report. This time I had escaped from operation as last two years I had twice opeation to remove fibroadenoma lumps in both breasts. But sad to say that I had many multiple cysts in both breasts including two complex cysts that had ballooned to the size of 7 cm and 4 cm. I had always encountered on and off pain in both breasts. Before my mensuration I can feel tense and heavy especially in my left breast something like a stone had been inserted inside. One of my complex cysts has become more hypoechoic as compared to previously noted anechoic cyst that probably due to internal echoes. 

     LL12

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  • pupfoster1
    pupfoster1 Member Posts: 1,484
    edited March 2010

    Hi Sally,

    Hope your sis got my cards---today is my birthday too and I finished my last chemo yesterday!  Tell her there is light at the end of the tunnel!

    Take care,

    Sharon

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  • Beverly11
    Beverly11 Member Posts: 443
    edited March 2010

    Happy Birthday Sharon. 

     Sally - I just saw this forum.  Please wish your sis a happy birthday for me.  She is very fortunate to have you.  When in April is your birthday?

    This is such a great website to be connected with people.  Truly amazing.

     Take Care,

    Bev

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