Cherrie and Jeannie
Left to right: Cherrie and Jeannie
By Cherrie, a Sister Study participant from Illinois
I want to take this opportunity to thank my niece, Jana, for finding out about the Sister Study. I jumped at the opportunity to participate in this rewarding study to honor my sister, Jeannie.
When my sister announced her breast cancer to me, the world stopped for that split second. What happened to the perfect world of hers? It’s the reality of knowing that until tomorrow comes, we have no idea what the future holds for us. Sometimes the sun shines, sometimes it snows and sometimes it brings us tragic news. When the world brings you cancer news, your only friend is knowledge.
I want to thank the Sister Study for providing materials so we can make others aware of this vital study. My sister and I have both been very busy getting the flyers out to doctor offices, libraries and churches.
Jeannie is a daughter, sister, wife, mother, and aunt. She took on cancer with fearlessness and in the process of fighting, became educated. She never gave up and always had tremendous strength and courage to fight this battle. Through that courage and her unrelenting positive attitude she has been cancer free for over two years. We, her family, are all very proud of her courage to face this terrible disease head on.
Many of us take life for granted. For my sister and her family, it was a cruel and shocking reality check. Jeannie has pointed out to me on several occasions that I was her main and steady supporter. I mailed her cards and sent care packages just to help put a smile on her face and to make her laugh. I wanted to take her mind off the challenges she was facing. My sister is now doing well and she calls me with an update right after her oncologist visits. It feels like we all walk with her to her doctor appointments, even though we are miles away.
We are all so grateful to have Jeannie in our lives.
We thank God for all the beautiful people associated with the Sister Study and their wonderful and caring stories. They touch our hearts and our souls. Each and every one of you is in our thoughts and prayers as we hope to be in yours.