My Sister is Dying

[Trippy]

So sorry

I hope there is peace for her and your family.

 

[ancientone51]

Just saw this sad update.

My thoughts and prayers are still with you and yours.
May all of your family find peace.

 

[Snow]

I am very sorry.

 

[1001001]

My sincere thanks again to everyone who's stopped by and/or sent PM's. I really do appreciate the support.

I've been thinking of these lyrics quite a bit....

No hero in your tragedy,
No daring in your escape,
No salutes for your surrender,
Nothing noble in your fate.

Christ, what have you done?

 

[Amaris]

I'd like to share a bit about my personal life, particularly what my family is going through and why I haven't been around much.

Simply put, my sister is dying.

I have just the one sibling. She's 38 years old. She is an alcoholic, and 8 months ago she was diagnosed with cirhossis of the liver.

She decided not to go into rehab or therapy or anything else. Over the past 6 months or so, she's been in the hospital 7 or 8 times. She always leaves AMA (against medical advice) and goes home to drink some more.

About 2 weeks ago, she went into the hospital again, jaundiced and incoherent. Her liver and kidneys are failing. The hospital told her there was nothing more they could do. They had her sign up for hospice care. The Medical Director subsequently told her she had two more weeks to live. That was 5 days ago.

My family has elected me to deal with it. I am in constant touch with the hospice staff, who have been great, even in the face of my sister's craziness. They are trying to keep her comfortable. I am arranging the funeral, in steady contact with the cemetary. Today at work, I took 5 calls from hospice staff regarding my sister and her care as she prepares to die.

Alcoholism is so insane. It's a surreal experience. I suppose moreso because of what I do. Among other things, I run a licensed residential treatment center for the dually-diagnosed. And yet there has been absolutely nothing I can do.

In any event, very soon, perhaps as little as a few days, I will be going home to bury my baby sister. Our whole family will be there of course. Our Dad. Our Grandpa. Various aunts, uncles, and cousins. And we will stand at her grave, wondering what alcoholism has robbed the world of. Again.

Please think positive thoughts for my family and I. If I disappear for a while, you'll understand why.

You have my prayers and best wishes, digits.

John

 

[Unicron]

I'm sorry for your loss, Digits.

 

[Neroon]

My sincere thanks again to everyone who's stopped by and/or sent PM's. I really do appreciate the support.

I've been thinking of these lyrics quite a bit....

No hero in your tragedy,
No daring in your escape,
No salutes for your surrender,
Nothing noble in your fate.

Christ, what have you done?

And to that, maybe think of:

And if the music stops
Theres only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
[and] if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost

 

[C. Cole-Chakotay]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

My deepest sympathies, Digits. I know you are in mourning, but think of it this way: Your sister's pain is over now. She is in a much better place. Let me quote one of my favorite passages:

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me, that you also may be where I am...

John 14:1-3

 

[Gaseous Anomaly]

I'm so very sorry for your loss Digits. You have my sympathy and condolences to your family.

 

[Thespeckledkiwi]

Very sorry to hear this Digits. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Australis]

Sorry for your loss, man.

I do know what you mean about sadness and relief, horrible and beautiful at the same time. Lost my mother in August, it was like that for me.

But 38? Damn, that's young.

Keep well, man. Thinking of you.

 

[1001001]

Sorry for your loss, man.

I do know what you mean about sadness and relief, horrible and beautiful at the same time. Lost my mother in August, it was like that for me.

But 38? Damn, that's young.

Keep well, man. Thinking of you.

Thanks.

I'm sorry about your mom. Mine died ten years ago, in the same house as my sister, as a matter of fact.

Yeah, 38 is way young. She drank herself to death. It's truly sad.

 

[1001001]

My sincere thanks again to everyone who's stopped by and/or sent PM's. I really do appreciate the support.

I've been thinking of these lyrics quite a bit....

No hero in your tragedy,
No daring in your escape,
No salutes for your surrender,
Nothing noble in your fate.

Christ, what have you done?

And to that, maybe think of:

And if the music stops
Theres only the sound of the rain
All the hope and glory
All the sacrifice in vain
[and] if love remains
Though everything is lost
We will pay the price,
But we will not count the cost

That's awesome.

 

[RandyS]

Sorry man. 38 is too damn young. I'm 38 myself. I know how you feel, my brother is an alcoholic too, not nearly as bad as your sister, but bad enough that it help drive my mom to suicide six years ago.

You're not alone man, Chin up.

 

[RJDiogenes]

My condolences, digits. I know there's nothing I can say that can make this any better, but your feelings of relief are natural. I've felt the same upon the death of those who suffered in their final days or weeks (or, in a couple of cases, months). Your grief will be mitigated by time. All I can say now is that I'm truly sorry for all the pain and suffering for all those concerned.

 

[Scout101]

so sorry...

 

[Locutus of Bored]

I'm sorry for your loss, Digits.

 

[kimc]

My condolences, digits.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

My condolences. Hug tight your loved ones while they're here. In time, the memories won't hurt as much. I know that sounds pithy, but it's true.