Laurie, Liz and Sandra
From left to right: Laurie, Liz and Sandra
By Laurie, a participant from Washington
Our sister, Elizabeth (Liz), is the youngest of the three of us. My eldest sister, Sandra, and I were taken by surprise when Liz was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. Liz had always treated her body "as a temple," whereas Sandra smoked until she was 35, and I never watched what I ate. Though heart disease runs in our extended family, the only cancer that has emerged has been with our mother, who has had melanoma. We felt we were immune. After Liz's initial diagnosis, she had to make the tough decision of whether to have a lumpectomy or a mastectomy. She had excellent medical advice from her own doctors and from a doctor friend of the family. As she is a medical researcher herself, she was able to investigate the various options for her cancer. She opted for peace of mind and no radiation and elected to have a mastectomy with chemotherapy.
Liz weathered the surgery and the chemotherapy with her typical courage and grace, and we are happy to report she is doing just great. Her husband and two teenage sons are also doing well, and they have provided quiet, steady support for Liz. Liz's neighbors -- some nearby and others total strangers -- cooked all the meals for the duration of her chemotherapy treatment. One of Liz’s closest friends, who had long, beautiful hair, cut it very short so Liz would have a short-haired companion when they went on outings. She also donated her hair to Locks of Love, an organization that provides hair prosthetics for children. We were stunned at the friendship and outpouring of support from neighborhood friends and people who lived nearby who had not met Liz and her family previously. All these wonderful people were our “agents in place” as we were far away, and they have become our role models for generosity of spirit in times of need.
Liz alerted Sandy and me to the Sister Study. We immediately signed up. We felt helpless, and this seemed to be one way in which we could help Liz, other women, and also ourselves. Sandy lives near Philadelphia and told the technicians in her local hospital who give mammograms about the Sister Study, and did the same at her gynecologist’s office. In my hometown, Olympia, WA, I have talked with women whose sisters have breast cancer, and told them about the study. Sandra and I are determined to "spread the word" and help increase the number of participants in this historic study. Sisters helping sisters; women helping other women: good results are sure to follow.