and the battle begins (again).

2 months ago, we had medical clearance that my sister is on her way to recovery from her breast cancer. After several surgeries and 4 sessions of chemotherapy -- all within 2 years, we were all happy that she's getting better -- 2009 looked promising indeed. But then the past 2 weeks was a whirlwind, on her (civil) wedding day in San Francisco, she had her first seizure. CT scan said that she already has several scattered lesions on her brain, the largest of which is 2.2 cm. We were all forced to face that the cancer has metastasized (Metastasis is the movement or spreading of cancer cells from one organ or tissue to another) to her brain. 

Tonight, we're flying her in from San Francisco, one of the many roadblocks we had to face was that she couldn't get treated there as she just flew in February 12 and has not yet acquired an insurance coverage. Getting her seen by the specialists requires a lot of paperwork and may take months -- but we don't have that, not when she's losing her train of thoughts and motor skills with the lesions pressing on her brain. And so we decided to bring her back here where the treatment can immediately be performed (we're looking at Whole Brain Radiation Therapy or Gamma Knife treatment) and where the family is complete -- her kids, our parents, me, her husband, von and soon, our sister from Canada will also be joining us. 

We are launching a BIG FIGHT for her. I thought of this blog to share with you our story as your prayers and support are very much needed. My sister, Ate Che is also doing a campaign across Toronto and Ben (ate's husband) did one before they left SF. We know that we need help as we battle ate's cancer. We want her to know that she is not alone on this one and we will give everything we can to see her well and happy again so we can have more years together. I really do want to see her walk down the aisle in a wedding she dreamed of, I want her to see ME walking down the aisle, I want her to see her kids grow up, and hold my hand when I get to have kids of my own. I want her to see our parents' 50th golden anniversary, I want to have more laughter and tears and secrets with her and I want to share her with more people, for you to see her beauty, her light and her kindness. 

Yes, most times it is really hard, especially if we're just waiting for what's going to happen next. But with her in my mind, friends and family who give their unending support and prayers  and faith that God still wants her to be with us, I will continue to do everything I can to really just be with her every step of the way.