So, change of plans. I’m writing this from the Rome airport, where I will soon board two flights that will land me home in Los Angeles in approximately 21 hours.
I had hoped that I didn’t need to write about this because I honestly hoped that things will get well enough that there would be no need to. But that is not the case. So now I’m not sure how to write about it, so I’m just going to cut to the chase.
My sister is in critical condition in the hospital, fighting for her life. Here’s the short version: She had a fever for a few days and then one morning, noticed that she couldn’t see too well. She was taken to the emergency room where her condition quickly deteriorated to seizures. Since then, she’s been in an induced coma while the doctors work on getting the seizures under control. There may be a diagnosis now. They think it’s NORSE (having ruled out West Nile), a very rare autoimmune disease. I believe it’s hard to 100% confirm this diagnosis and the cause is unknown.
While all this was happening, I was in Lyon, and then Paris, and then Bologna. Of course, I didn’t know these details then, only that my sister was very sick in the hospital but seemed to be better.
But the morning after my first night in Bologna (was that just yesterday?), I woke up with the message flashing across my screen: “she is getting worse”. And I knew I no longer belonged in Italy.
Later that day, by the time I received more details from my mom, her condition had gotten more critical and the seizures had gotten more frequent. None of the treatments so far have worked and the doctors are getting ready to shut down her immune system – a last ditch effort.
I’m not sure how/what to think. I’m scared and I want to cry whenever I think about it, but it still feels so unreal. Like I’m talking about someone else. This is the kind of thing that only happens to other people, to faceless strangers on the news. Certainly not to your family or even someone you know. I have so so many questions, starting with: how does this just happen to a healthy young adult?!
But we have to have hope. We have to believe that everything will turn out just fine.
So I’m going home. I’m going to be there when my sister wakes up. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone for but I know that my family (however broken it may be) needs to support each other through this.
When life presents us with the unthinkable, when there is nothing we understand, we all need something to believe in, even if it’s just blind faith. And so today, my last day in Bologna, I went inside the church and lit a candle for my sister.
And I prayed:
Please take care of my sister and make her okay. Please put my family whole again. Please allow us to put aside any past differences and instead focus on providing strength to each other. Please get us through this and come together as a complete family again. Please make us okay.
Have you dealt with serious illness in your family? How do you cope?
P.S. Please send lots of positive thoughts and/or prayers our way. We need every single bit of sunshine!
P.P.S. I will try to provide regular updates. D will remain in Italy the next few weeks and then fly to Japan as per our original plan. I really hope he has a lot of fun still. Twice as much fun for the both of us. I hope he’ll send me a lot of pictures so I can share them too.
Oh Anna, I’m so sorry to hear this. Words are failing me so *hugs* I’ll be keeping you and your sister in my thoughts. Hoping for the best, and that you have a safe flight home to your family.
Much love to you and your family, Anna. I’ll be keeping you all in my thoughts. <3
i’m sorry to hear the news, and super sad to read this. =( that is really devastating. may God be near to your sister and keep her in His refuge, may he bring healing and quick recovery if it’s in His plans, and may He give you and your family the peace and reassurance that only God can provide. *hugs*
I’m very sorry to hear about your sister’s health. Hopefully, by the time you arrive in LA, the news will be better. Take good care of each other. Sending hugs and love.
Oh wow Anna :( I’ll keep your sister in my thoughts. That is really scary because it can literally happen to anyone. Virtual hugs to you and your family from China.
So sorry Anna about your sister. I hope she is OK. Sending good wishes your way. Such a shame D couldn’t come with you for support
So sorry to hear about your sister — I am sending you loads of hugs and positive thoughts! I am so glad to hear you had the opportunity to go back home to be there with your family. xoxoxo
Sending all of my best to you and your family, Anna. Home is the place to be right now, and I’m sure it will make a world of difference to your family and most of all to your sister. Truly hoping for the best for her! <3
This was shocking to read! I’m so sorry Anna! I hope everything gets better with your sister.
I haven’t been through this and this sounds super scary, but disease/illness has been a big part of my life for the past few years and especially the past year. With my mom and with myself. And right now, too. I think one of the biggest things is dealing with the uncertainty of it all… And like you mentioned here: having faith.
I don’t know if this is comforting at all, especially right now, but there can be eventual positives that come from illness/disease. I really hope that your sister is okay! I hope she comes out of this and that they have figured out what it is and can get it under control.
Please keep us updated! You guys are already in my thoughts and prayers! And if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here! Lots of hugs!
Thinking and praying and sending so much hope to your sister, family and of course to you. I can only imagine that the plane journey must have felt the most painstakingly long one you’ve ever taken but I hope you get some comfort and support in seeing your family and in being there with your sister. Don’t worry about posts and pictures – take all the time you need and we’ll all still be waiting when you’re back x
Your family is in my prayers Anna. Stick together and keep the faith. I’m sorry you’re going through this when you are so far away.
I’m so sorry, Anna. Sending all my positive vibes to you from London. You and your family are in my thoughts. Look after yourself xxxxx
Really don’t worry about the blog, your family are way more important right now. As Shikha says, we’ll all still be here :-) I felt so sad reading this, I really hope your sister pulls through this. Sending positive vibes and hugs to you and your family xx
I have my fingers & toes crossed for you. I hope you’re flying home to some good news.
So sorry to hear! That’s the worst nightmare of someone abroad and of course of any sister! Sending positive vibes to your family!xx
Wow, I’m so sorry, Anna. Sending all the positive thoughts in the world your way!
Oh Anna, sending warm and positive thoughts immediately your way. I understand the confusing thoughts that come with this sort of news (and weird family dynamics). Just do exactly what you’re doing now, just being present — it’s half the battle. However you’re feeling and whatever emotions emerge, don’t beat yourself up about it. Hugs. Hugs. Hugs.
I’m so sorry to hear this. All my love and thoughts and prayers are sent your way! xxx
So sorry to hear this, Anna! Sending prayers your way.
For God’s sake, don’t worry about the blog! You go back and be strong for your family and sister! If there’s anything else that you might need help on other than prayers and positive thoughts (which we will send fervently your way), I’m all yours.
I am so so sorry to hear and I hope you have a safe flight back home. Go, be there with your family and your sister most of all. I feel your pain, I had the same thing a few years back when my father got sick suddenly without warning, sadly he passed away before I could get home.
Sending all the positive thoughts I have to you. I can go without them. Take care of yourself too.
Take care and I hope for the best!
Oh so sorry Anna! My best wishes and thoughts and positive waves…
Oh my goodness – I am shocked to read this. I am sending hugs and prayers for your sister and family! I’m glad to hear you have the opportunity to go back home and be there beside your family during this scary time. Praying for wisdom for the doctors to be able to figure out her illness, and for a fast and complete recovery.
So scary. I am very close with my sister and can’t imagine what you are going through right now. You and your sister our in my thoughts!
I am so sorry Anna! Thinking of you, I really hope your sister will be ok!! Sending lots of love and hugs from Lyon!
So sorry to hear this, Anna. Thinking of you and your sister. I hope you and your family can surround her and each other with love at this troublesome time. xx
My heart goes out to you. I am sending every good thought I have to your sister and your family. This time is very precious, and I hope you can be there for each other. At the end of the day, family is everything. Something very similar happened to me. I was in Taiwan when I got a message that said “Come home now”. My dad was in the ER, and unfortunately died a few days later. Thankfully, I made it home in time to say goodbye. I so hope you get a different ending. If you ever need to talk to someone who can truly understand, I am here.
Anna, I only just read this – I hope everything is okay. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear this Anna! My thoughts are with you and your family. Sending you one massive hug!
Aw I’m just now catching up on blogs, and am so sorry to hear about your sister! Praying for her & your family right now. With your family is definitely where you need to be. xoxo
Hoping your sister gets better soon, and that you can be safely with your family.
I just saw this now Anna when you posted your followup post – I’m so sorry this happened! This must have been terrifying. Good to hear that she is now in rehab though.