I wrote on DU last week that my husband

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109. i'm glad you found a way to live with it

and be at peace. i am almost there with my sister, but her story was quite different. she was our yougest sibling, and she died quite suddenly, just four months after our father died, at the age of 45. she was complaining of pain in her shoulder in november and the doctor misdianosed her with bursitis and mastitis. by january, we found out the awful truth: metastisized breast cancer. the cancer was very agressive and had spread to her brain and bones. she was dead by march 1st.

it was horrific to watch, knowing i couldn't do anything to prolong her life. her doctor's incompetence (or the insurance company's red tape) botched the one chance she had for a second opinon and possibly a clinical trial. she was adamant about continuing treatment, even though the doctors told us it would not do any good. she wanted to live. i think she held on as long as she could, and the last time i saw her, i told her it was okay to let go, and to stop being brave and strong for her children. i was packing my things to move where she was to spend her last days with her when i got the call from my older sister.

cynthia was so selfless, and so protective of me, that she did not want me to give up my life, but i would have gladly. you know, even as i write this very painful story, i am smiling...thinking of her.

thanks.