Mysister passed away six years ago at the age of forty-nine.She first was diagnosed with breastcancer. She had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy.She then developed scleroderma.

It was hard to watch her going through allof that. She had a lot of difficulty breathing, and hadto be on oxygen allthe time. Her arms and hands would swell up and I rememberthe skin on her fingers was so tight and shiny.

I never once heard her complain. She boreit all with such dignity. On the day before she died, herdaughter graduated from college. I thank God that she wasable to make it to see her daughter walk down that isleand receive her diploma. She passed away that next daywhile laying on her living room sofa.

I still think of her very often, and trulymiss her loving and caring ways.

Last summer I was diagnosed with MixedConnective Tissue Disease (MCTD). I do not know whatlies ahead for me on this path, I only hope that I canbe as strong as my sister was.