My only sister died 6 weeks ago, and even though the autopsy is still pending, I believe that she most likely took her own life. She had battled severe depression and alcoholism for several years. My mother went with me to San Diego to take care of my sister's estate, but my father was too ill to make the trip. Mom was diagnosed with pneumonia last summer, and it hasn't cleared up, so the doctor sent her for a chest CT. He called me this afternoon. She has a huge mass in her right lung, 6 cm x 6 cm, probably inoperable. It involves the pulmonary artery. Since I work in surgery, I had the thoracic surgeon look at the films. He's sending her for more tests, but he says that the mass looks consistant with lung cancer. Mom is so depressed about my sister that I don't think she'll even try to fight this. My father has cardiac issues and was rushed to the ER when we were in California...fortunately it was anxiety and not another heart attack. If my mom dies, I'm sure my father will die of a broken heart. I think it's entirely possible that I will lose my entire family very soon.
Please let me wake up from this nightmare.
Please let me wake up from this nightmare.
I can't even begin to imagine the stress and sadness you all must be going through. We ARE here for you. 
