My oldest sister died of colon cancer in 2001 at the age of 54. My brother-in-law brought the family together to ask for help in taking care of her so he could keep her at home as long as possible. He was a city bus driver and had the early morning shift and he needed someone with her in the morning to get her to the bathroom, get breakfast, keep her company etc. She also had a blood clot in one of her legs and was bed ridden. Without a thought, I was the first one to raise my hand and I said "I'll take Fridays". My other 2 sisters faded into the background. They will NEVER know what they missed out on!! I had a year of Friday mornings with her that I will always treasure!! According to her, I was the only one that knew how to cook a soft boiled egg the way she liked it and the only one she would let shave her legs. When I was diagnosed, I KNEW I had the perfect role model and I knew that my other 2 sisters would not be there for me. I was right on both counts. She totally amazed me when she told me about her "upsides" of having cancer! And I have found my own "upsides" in the last year and a half!! You all are certainly on that list!!

Cathi