Jennifer and Krystal
Left to right: Jennifer and Krystal
By Jennifer, a participant from Illinois
I came from a family of 15 brothers and sisters. We were a very energetic family and loved things like dancing, fishing, skating, you name it. My sister, Krystal, lived in Atlanta, Georgia and would visit us very often. Then we got a phone call that made us feel as though the world had stopped spinning. My sister told us she had breast cancer! I knew that people with breast had lived for years and could even go into remission. So my thinking was “she’s going to be okay.”
I remember talking to her and she said “Why me, and where did this come from” and started guessing. Was it from our aunts who died of colon cancer and the other lung cancer? “Did it skip over and pick me?”
She moved to Missouri with one of my older sisters to be treated at one of the best cancer centers. After deciding to have surgery and four of the strongest chemotherapy and radiation treatments on the market, she died two months later.
Some time later, I saw on the news a story about the Sister Study. I heard the word “cancer” and listened but I didn’t think to call. It wasn’t until a friend and my other sister in Missouri told me that they had seen the Sister Study on TV and that I should contact the study. It took some time for me to do it but I finally joined. I am at high risk and hearing that from the doctor got the ball rolling for me to join.
In the midst of all this, about a year later, my sister from Missouri gave us the shocking news that she had ovarian cancer! Six months later, she died a very painful death. By then all the brothers were saying “get checked out!” for fear of all of our health. I remember Krystal’s advice before she died of breast cancer when she told me to make sure I took care of my health and get myself checked out.
I keep up with my regular breast self exams and Pap smears. Just recently I had my mammogram and all is well. Although it’s a little painful it’s well worth it to have the peace of mind that I’ve gotten checked out and am okay. I also thought the best thing I could do is join and stay with the Sister Study for this important research. I hope the Sister Study finds some answers to breast cancer causes. I’m glad to be a part of this research and a part of the Sister Study “family.”