Saturday, October 18, 2008

The One I Have Been Avoiding

I have so many things I want to tell you about, including the meet and greet I went to on Friday. But the thing I MUST talk about, is the one I have been avoiding.



Two years ago, our family had one of our proudest moments. We were able to attend the graduation of my niece/cousin* from medical school.




For blog purposes, I will call her Bright Star. How can I express to you the honor she brought to our family? How proud we are of her? How amazing she is, her struggle to get through medical school, even with the death of her fiance, and having to restart a year because of it? Bright Star is the embodiment of one of the Lakota values, Wacintaka or fortitude.

Last year Bright Star was diagnosed with Inflammatory Breast Cancer. She is too young, we all cried! Just in her early thirties, just a year through her residency. She is too young, she has too much to do to take time off for this. This week we found how the cancer has spread to her liver and bones. The prognosis is grim. Our family is grief stricken. I have so wanted to blog about other things, to pretend this isn't happening to my niece. I can't bear to think about it, because it is breaking my heart. But if I ever want to blog again, I needed to tackle this, and let you know. Please, please. Help find a cure.


*This post explains the niece/cousin thing

21 Kids Who Want To Play:

Mongoose said...

Oh, Jo!

I wish I could run over and hug you.

I'll pray.

Kristina P. said...

Jo, I am so aorry my wonderful friend. I'm glad you were able to come last night, and be able to at least laugh with us at the end of a rough week.

I will be praying for your family.

Amber said...

Oh no! I'm so sorry for your niece and your family.

Torina said...

I am so sorry that this is happening to your cousin! I will be sending positive energy your family's way :)

Kristine said...

Oh Jo, I'm so very sorry! What a horrible thing to happen to anyone.

I'm sending positive thoughts her (and your) way!

Klynn said...

I lost my dad to lung cancer in 1999. He was 54, too young to leave us. I was 27, too young to lose such a wonderful father.

Your family will be in my prayers.

Unknown said...

I like a blog that isn' t afraid to be honest- and scared- when it needs to. I am so sorry for your news, please keep praying and hang in there.
Let us know if we can help.

elizasmom said...

Oh no, Jo, that is awful. I am so sorry for her and your family — thinking of you and wishing you strength.

Anonymous said...

Jo,
Delurking to say that I'm sorry to hear this. I will be praying for Bright Star and the rest of your family as you move through this journey.
Julie

Jillene said...

Oh Jo!! I am SO sorry!! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!!

Yondalla said...

Oh sweetie, I am so sorry!

Debz said...

Oh Jo!! That truly is heartbreaking. I know age has nothing to do with it but it is so wrong for someone so young to have to suffer this much. My prayers go out to her. And all of you.
{{HUGS}}

Me (aka Danielle) said...

I wish that I could wrap my arms around you and give you a big hug! Please know that my prayers are with you and your family!

Whitney R said...

Oh my. I'm so sorry. She is MUCH too young. My prayers are with your family.

I'm glad you were able to come Friday and it was really great to meet you.

K J and the kids said...

OH NO !!!
Praying huge big prayers.

Jami said...

Oh Jo, I am so sorry. It's just such a painful thing to go through. I'll be sending prayers and hugs your way. God bless you all.

bon said...

Sigh... my heart is just heavy for your niece and you and your family. I am sorry.

Holly said...

So sorry Jo. how terrible. Prayers headed your way (and hers).

Laura in L.A. said...

Jo, honey, I am so sorry to hear this. I will be praying for your niece and sending good thoughts to your whole family.

Love, Laura

FosterAbba said...

I am SO sorry.

rychelle said...

so sorry to read this.

i pray for a cure everyday. seriously.

it's so sad to see this disease touch so many women. young and not so young.