My sister

New Flower said:

Anna I am very sorry that your sister got cancer

Weekly Skype sessions or any other video chats will be really good. Open communications to discuss treatment options, different topics outside of cancer world, let her vent if she needs.

I wish her reasonably easy treatment and good emotional support. She can also joint CSN and ask her questions directly. 

Hugs to both of you

From the tone of your posts on this board, I perceive you as a very caring person. I'm sure you'll be very supportive of your sister just as you have been to your pink sisters here. One thing, though, I thought I'd mention, since you had a rigorous chemo regime and more invasive surgery than she may be having, she may hesitate to "complain" about her surgery and radiation thinking that you had a tougher road. But we all know fear and waiting are universal!

Best of luck to you both,

Victoria

Anna,

I think the most important thing you can do for your sister is exactly what you're doing -- keep letting her know you're there for her with simple little "thinking of you today" emails, cards, texts, etc.

I bet all of us here have stories of at least one friend or family member who dropped off the face of the earth as soon as they heard we had cancer.  No matter how supportive everyone else in your life is, that still hurts, and it's just so important to know that others are there when you're feeling down or alone or scared in the middle of the night.

Doesn't have to be anything fancy or eloquent -- just a simple "thinking of you" or "sending you a hug."  Having said that, if you want to go a step further, I do have a couple of favorites:

I have friends in their 30s all the way to their 90s who just love Jacquie Lawson's e-cards:  http://www.jacquielawson.com/  I use them all the time to let folks going through tough times know I'm thinking of them -- they're fun, and beautiful to look at.

I also love, love LOVE Emily McDowell's ridiculously funny and on-point cards specifically for serious illnesses: http://emilymcdowell.com/collections/cards/Empathy-Cards  Example:  "When life gives you lemons, I promise I won't tell you a story about my cousin's friend who died of lemons."  I mean, SERIOUSLY, have we all been there or what?

Traci

I think you have the right idea-cards, emails, phone calls. Some people, like to vent and others do not-i would just go with your gut on how to handle this day by day.

Sorry you are far apart.

Denise

button2 said:

Thank you all so much

Thank you Olga, Victoria, Denise, Vicki Sam and Tracii. Your suggestions are all very helpful. I may have had a tougher road but I think everyone who gets this kind of diagnosis goes thru the same "OMG It's CANCER" kind of feeling. You just never really know how things are going to go and that's the biggest stress of all. I certainly plan on being there for my sister as she was for me. I think I will put her name on the sticker when I do the Run for Life (5K) in September!!

I'm very sorry to hear of your sister's cancer.  I think she is absolutely correct to say you may have saved her life.  Thankfully, she scheduled herself for a mammogram.  You're already doing all the right things!  Everyone needs a sister like you.  Linda

dont feel guilty you did save her life, as far as helping her just love her as hard as you can every moment of every day and let her know that you are doing that