A very long road....   |   Wednesday, January 4, 2012




Since 1991, Sharon S. has been in a valiant fight for her life... and will continue to do it her way, until the end. Having her parents die when she was very young, Sharon has been a fighter... bonding with her younger sister Carol, the two began to look after each other in their teens and as a result, have obviously become very close. They say they're "twins who were just born 6 years apart!"
Diagnosed initially with Breast Cancer in 1991, she underwent surgery and radiation, advised that was all the treatment she needed at that time, but a bout with Thyroid cancer a while later, brought years of illness and an eventual return of cancer elsewhere. Fighting continual illness and weakness after the thyroid cancer, left her bedbound for almost 2 years and after persistence on her part, she was diagnosed with an aortic valve problem and underwent open heart surgery! January 2011 brought a recurrence of the Thyroid cancer and her diagnosis now.... metastatic breast cancer with lung, sternum and bone involvement. Attempting to treat this with 6 chemo treatments earlier this year, the cancer continued to grow and all treatment was haulted late in 2011. She now remains in Hospice care in her home, surrounded by her family... and the sister she grew up with. Carol has put her life on hold now, to move in with her sister and care for her full time, until the end. Visiting her in her home the day after Christmas, she was dressed to the nines... anxious for her portraits, to capture this time in her life, having pictures done with her sister, her husband and her special needs son...doing it her way.
Sharon stresses that women become proactive..." Ask questions if you don't understand, until you do understand, be proactive and trust your intuition." She's spending her days comfortable and creating memories with her family... " this time is for them. I need to allow them to say goodbye. I didn't think I was a strong person, but I guess I am..."
I'm sure she's teaching them much... about grace under fire, about inner strength and about the love of family...

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