To the Sibling of a Cancer Patient,
So, you've just been dealt what seemed to be the most impossible news in the world. The news that you never think you'll receive until you do. You think all your life that it won't happen to your family, but then, out of nowhere, it does. Cancer doesn't care how old you or your sibling are. You're probably thinking by now, "How do you know?." I know first hand what you're going through. I was in the same place you are when I was 12 years old.
My story goes a little like this; Almost 6 years ago, I woke up and looked around my house only to find my grandma and little brother. Usually this was normal, but when I called my mom at work, she wasn't there. I asked my grandma where she was at. I then learned that she had taken my older brother Zack to the ER for some stomach pain; no big deal, right? Wrong. Finally my mom called and said that Zack was being taken to Pittsburgh Children's Hospital. They had found a tumor on his liver, and from how it looked, it wasn't good. That one trip to the local ER turned into a two week stay in Pittsburgh for my mom, dad, and brother. Along with many, many more trips and stays in Pittsburgh. My brother was diagnosed with Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver. Which is an extremely rare form of liver cancer. My brother was 14. How was that fair? I didn't understand. How could my brother have cancer? He was supposed to be starting school and playing football. Not having surgeries and getting chemo and radiation. Well, it just wasn't going to work out like that.
Now that you know my story, I'll share my advice with you.
School started only a few days after this all happened, so I pretty much moved in with my aunt and uncle. They tried so hard to keep life normal for my little brother and I. Everyone at school tried, too. Everyone around me did. However, as you probably know, it isn't normal. When everyone is trying to keep it normal for you and help you out, appreciate it. You may not appreciate it now, but eventually you will realize that you should.
The most important part through the journey with cancer is to stay positive. Even when the toughest parts hit you, keep your faith. Staying positive helps your sibling stay positive, too.
Love your sibling. This seems so simple that I don't need to mention it, but it is so important. Love them, and treat them like you did before they got sick. They want life to be normal for them just as much as you do.
Pray. I am a firm believer that God helped my brother. When my brother was first diagnosed, the outlook wasn't good. However, my family and friends never lost our hope or faith. I strongly believe that every person who said a prayer for my brother had a big hand in his recovery.
I know how you feel. The journey is long and hard on you and your whole family. Just accept everyone's help, keep the hope and faith, love your sibling unconditionally, and pray.
Now you're probably wondering how things turned out for my brother. He is currently 20 years old and cancer-free. He will go on August 19th for what will be his last set of scans if they come back clear. I pray that anyone going through what my family went through has just as good of an outcome as my brother.
Sincerely,
A former sibling of a cancer patient
