[Andrew, Jr.]

During the time my sister was at NIH, she endured several rounds of chemo, stem cell therapy, experimental drugs, and other therapies. However, she wasn't the only patient there. When you are there, you see others suffering, and you meet other families. At first you are strangers, then within minutes you are family.

We all seemed to help each other out, with caring for our loved ones who were terminally ill. We would do everything from wiping their butts from severe diarreha, to getting buckets of ice chips to share, to bottled water, to taking the time to sit with their loved one while they took a break to get a cup of coffee or eat a quick meal. It was a balance of love, knowledge, and strength.

Some would bring in lap tops and share new information on such and such. And find out who was doing the cutting edge medicine and drugs of whatever disease their loved one had.

Unfortunately, we all shared in the mourning of the loss. It gave us more strength. We ended up going to the many many funerals. And some even spoke at them. It was about forgiveness. For the doctor not being able to get there in time. For the treatment not working. And the list can go on and on. It is all about finding a place for the ugly side of being sick to be. It is love. Life shared is more rewarding than when you are alone. It shows your spirit.

Andrew