Kathleen and Carolyn
Left to right: Kathleen and Carolyn (photo taken in 1946)
By Kathleen, a Sister Study participant from Illinois
Don’t put off following up ASAP with your doctor when you discover a lump. Carolyn was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2002 and died in August 2005. She first noticed a lump in 2001 but told no one about it until she saw her doctor. She felt if she ignored it that it would go away. By the time she was diagnosed it was 3 centimeters and stage III.
After that she was aggressive in her treatment and approach and discovered everything she could about her options. She fought bravely. She was an active partner in her treatment with her oncologist. She delved into researching this like her other journalistic projects. She became active in a breast cancer chat group and found many dear and devoted friends.
She was my older sister, but I felt more the elder, keeping her focused and grounded. My background as a care-giver, being a registered nurse, and my job as school nurse, gave me the summers off so I could spend those last 2 ½ months of her life ministering to her as a sister, a nurse, and a friend.
Those were the best 2 ½ months we ever spent. Taking her to the duck ponds at Lincoln Park to feed the ducks, walking in Lincoln Park Zoo watching the sea lions, the swans, the lions, and tigers and watching the boats sailing off Fullerton Beach were treasured memories. We enjoyed savoring the beauty of life around us. She was valiant until the end and an inspiration to me. I am glad I have the memories, the trips, and our last trip to Ireland to explore our family roots. “Thanks for the Memories.”
Left to Right: Kathleen and Carolyn, Christmas 2000
My sister Carolyn is the one who discovered the Sister Study in her many online investigations and encouraged me to participate. As a health care provider I have always believed in research. I am a compulsive obsessive crusader so I’m volunteering for the Sister Study with the hope that maybe one day, my grain of sand might prevent future generations from facing what Carolyn faced with breast cancer. Carolyn wanted her life to have meaning and influence others, so this is my tribute to her. I always believed in the adage, “one has to give back what one received.” I encourage all eligible women to participate in the Sister Study to honor their sister’s fight against this horrible disease!