This morning, less than two years after she was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), my younger sister passed away, a month short of her 44th birthday.
Two years ago, she was a vibrant, energetic, athletic, career-minded woman, mother of two. I have seen with great sadness the terrible and rapid progression of her disease that confined her to a wheelchair, unable to communicate except through a keyboard, totally dependent on other people, even for the simplest things. The illness was relentless and robbed of her dignity.
I wish I could say she died peacefully, but it wasn't the case. At least, she is at peace now and she has stopped suffering.
I don't wish this illness on my worst enemy -- nobody should be left to suffer the way she did, and there is something to be said for the right to die with dignity.
This is a photo I took of her back in 1983, when she was 17. We had taken a holiday together in Cancun and we had 3 wonderful weeks spent laughing, playing and enjoying life.
And this one is of the two of us, that same year. This is the way I will think of her for the rest of my life.
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, I know how special the bond is between sisters. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Posted by: Kristine | Monday, 16 November 2009 at 12:59
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful sister. I'll be thinking of you today.
Posted by: Clumsy Knitter | Monday, 16 November 2009 at 14:44
Oh Manon I am so so sorry for you. I know how hard this has been for you; it's a horrible disease and it is such a devastating progression. I agree wholeheartedly that one should be able to die with dignity (physically and emotionally). I understand the loss of a sister under less than ideal circumstances (it has been 12 years since my sister died but sometimes it feels like yesterday).
She is definitely at peace and thank goodness you do have so many good memories (they will hold you in good stead). I feel terrible for her young children and I hope that in time everyone is able to find some peace in the situation. My heart really goes out to you and I am thinking about you and your sister.
Posted by: Cynthia | Monday, 16 November 2009 at 19:57
I'm so sorry to hear about this. My condolences to your family.
Posted by: May | Monday, 16 November 2009 at 23:28
I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take it one day at a time.
Posted by: Rosalia | Tuesday, 17 November 2009 at 10:48
I am so very sorry to hear this Manon. I am glad that you have such good memories of your sister to carry you through.
Posted by: Therese | Wednesday, 18 November 2009 at 06:30
Oh, Manon, I am so, so sorry for your loss - my thoughts and prayers to you and your family, as well as your sister's...
Posted by: Deirdre | Wednesday, 18 November 2009 at 08:42
Thank you for all your messages of support. I deeply appreciate every single one of them -- it is so heartwarming to receive comfort, from friends and from total strangers. You have taken the time to write and I deeply thank you for it.
Posted by: Manon | Wednesday, 18 November 2009 at 11:05
I'm very sorry Manon - I agree that the right to dignity should be a given for everyone. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Connie
Posted by: Connie | Saturday, 21 November 2009 at 22:24
I'm so sorry to hear about your sister. Thank you for posting pictures of her in tribute. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Posted by: JulesM | Wednesday, 02 December 2009 at 08:55
Hi Manon,
I found you thru Ravelry and then saw this post. Lost my Mum last April from ALS. I couldn't have believed that a disease could rob someone of everything they love... And my only hope is that Mum is somewhere better and knows how much I miss her. I wish you happy memories.
Posted by: Hollis | Tuesday, 12 January 2010 at 22:18