Farewell

 On the 26th of June in 2023, my younger sister called and told me there was a spot on her pancreas, that was seen on a follow MRI of her abdomen. She had a benign lesion in her ascending colon removed years before and was being screened due to it's size at the time it was removed.

I wanted not to worry her. A biopsy the following week, July 3rd, would tell us.

On July 5th, she had the biopsy results. And life changed in that moment.

My baby sister, who I loved so much, was diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma in the head of her pancreas. She would have a Whipple on August 10th, and her cancer was Stage 2 based on it's size of 2 cm.

She had a hard recovery from surgery and took part in a mRNA study, with vaccines to target future tumor growth.

We hoped for the best. Long time survival.

Her first new tumor was seen in the summer of 2024, in the 6th segment of her liver. Her cancer was now Stage 4. She was now living with cancer. The spot was killed off by radiation, and it was a year before we saw any new tumor activity. She was even given a break from therapy during the summer of 2025.

Unfortunately, the new growth was significant not just because of the large size of the main tumor, but by the fact that there were multiple satellite tumors.

It was the beginning of the end.

My sweet brave brilliant sister died on February 5th 2026 (well, just before midnight on the 4th, but it wasn't certified till 1:30 am on the 5th ... what can you do?)

She was 55 years old.

The funeral home had a long line for over three hours. the church was standing room only. Everyone came. Friends, family, everyone. Those who didn't come sent messages of love.

Before coming home, my sister's husband, who is my brother at this point, no in-law about it, gave me a letter Elle wrote to me before her Whipple.

The last letter I will ever get from my sister,

I haven't read it all the way through yet.

Just not sure I can...

I am still numb with grief. And it feels too much like a final goodbye.

I love you. I miss you. I will do all I can to keep you alive in the heart of all who love you. Heaven is lucky to have you.