Good Morning and welcome to my blog for my sister, Stella. I know that my sister would not want me to be doing this, but when she sees how many people she has praying for her she will understand why I am doing this.
My sister and I are seven years apart. She taught me how to read well before I was in Kindergarten. She helped me navigate through my life and "broke-in" our parents well. By the time I became a teenager, I had very few limitations :). She has always "looked after" me. Our relationship has grown strong through the course of many uphill battles we have had to endure as a family. She has amazing strength and faith in God. For those of you that do not know, my sister is fighting for her life. I am on a plane right now headed back to Long Island to be with her. We were with her through the holidays, but she was in the hospital for almost all of the 17 days we were in NY. She has stage 4 ovarian cancer and breast cancer. She was diagnosed a little over 4 years ago and has been fighting ever since. At this point, her doctors feel she will not live much longer. I am having the hardest time coping with the thought of losing her. You may or may not know that I also had breast cancer 9 years ago. When Stella was diagnosed, I went back to my oncologist and told her about my sister. My oncologist advised me to stay one step ahead of the disease & have my breasts & ovaries removed. I followed her advice & had both surgeries in 2007. My sister has told me that her diagnosis would help save my life. Her "gift" to me, she calls it. My sisters legacy has given me the road map for my future.
We have been told that she has weeks/months to live. I want her to know how many people she has touched in her life & how she has been the source of inspiration to so many. Please continue to pray for my sister. I will keep you posted as best I can. Thank you. Love, Grace
May God Bless you and be with all of you through this difficult time. All my Love, Jackie
ReplyDeleteGrace, God not only granted you an amazing gift in your sister, but He gave you the opportunity to live and love through her. He creates everyone with a mission that only He knows, and your sister's mission, which is so apparent by your words, was created to be your angel on earth, in addition to changing so many lives around her. Not everyone can claim such amazing miracles!
ReplyDeleteI love you dear friend and we continue to lift Stella up to our creator and appeal to Him that His inexplainable peace, that surpasses all understanding, fills each and every one of your hearts as you wait for what His plans are.
XXXOOO,
Ohilda
Stella is one of the most amazing, warm hearted, giving, loving person we have ever met. As she has said, we are “family”, the love and trust that has formed in the past years could never be broken. She has always been and always will be the strongest fighter I know, that is how she has fought cancer for the past 4 years. Stella has no concept of the amount of lives she touches, how many people love her and are praying for her. We all love you Stella!!!
ReplyDeleteLove Courtney
First off Aunt Gray, thanks for writing this and sharing. Your right that she def wouldnt like you doing this for her, but she needs to know how many people love her, care for her and are praying for her on a daily basis...
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say about my Aunt Nelly... I have millions of memories of all the happy times we have shared, trips we have taken, laughs we have had... She is an amazing person. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know. If I ever needed anything, I know my Aunt Stella would be there for me...She is an amazing women who has fought this battle with amazing strength. There is not a day that goes by that I dont think about her and smile.
I love you Aunt Nelly and am so proud of you for the strength and courage you have had during your fight!
Love, Melly
Grace,
ReplyDeleteI will be praying for YOU and STELLA and your entire family.
May God comfort EACH and EVERY one of you in the way that only HE can!
Jill
Grace,
ReplyDeleteI was forwarded this blog address from our mutual friend, Ohilda. Please know that I am lifting Stella, you and your whole family in prayer at this difficult time. I pray with you as your sister walks into the arms of Jesus. Losing someone we love so deeply is not easy, but I can assure you that the love lives on!! May you have peace in the moments you have together. May the love of our Risen Lord fill your hearts.
Teresa
Stella, I don't know you but I am praying for you. Your love for your sister is a sweet legacy that will live on forever. I pray that you can all focus this time on what makes you happiest, the memories that are the fondest. Know that your life on this earth has a purpose and you are so special to God. Whenever the day comes, be it sooner or later, that you meet Him face to face, know that He will welcome you with His big Daddy open arms. You will know only comfort and peace and a joy like nothing you have ever known here on earth. The heavens will rejoice to have you and while the earth mourns the loss of you, I pray His comfort and peace and lasting memories of love and laughter will fill the hearts of all who know and love you. I believe that death is never a goodbye, it's just ... see. you. later. Embrace each moment. Hold on to God's hand and let Him fill you with His peace. He loves you so much.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you.
Erin
Grace and Stella,
ReplyDeleteYou two obviously have such an amazing relationship. May you find peace through Jesus and happiness through your cherished memories. I'll be praying for both of you and your family.
Angie in TX
I know what it is to love one's sister. And, I know what it is to love God. What you have written is a touching tribute to those loves. I will pray for Stella and your family. I think perhaps we all will be surprised at just how many people, who may not know you or your sister, but know this kind of love, will be praying for you all.
ReplyDeleteMarti in Lutz
I am lifting up Stella and the rest of your family in prayer. God has made Stella a living guardian angel in your life, Grace. I firmly believe that won't change when she is with our Heavenly Father. Some bonds are so strong that even death cannot weaken them. Stella, my little family of five is praying for you. We are giving thanks for the life you have led and the lives you have touched along the way. Blessings and peace to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteCyndi in Nebraska
Dear Stella
ReplyDeleteI remember our conversation in Kohl's a few years ago when you had just gotten out of the hospital. You have an amazing outlook on life. Just know that we are all thinking of you and praying for you and your family. I hope that reading some of these messages from you and your family's friends makes this journey a little easier. As a person who takes care of very sick and dying people on a daily basics I find myself at a loss of words to give you comfort but know from the bottom of my heart I wish you peace.
I remember the first time I met Stella. It was at her parents house in Huntington. I was meeting them fo rthe first time and Stella ate a sausage off my plate. What a welcome to the family. I knew that this was going to be a great relationship!
ReplyDeleteThis past summer my family and I spent time at Disney with Stella. My granddaughter fell in love with her and would sing to her every morning "Cousin Stella, Cousin Stella are ready are you ready?" They would sing to each other all day!
I will continue to hold Stella close to my heart, in my thought, and in my prayers.
God Bless Stella and her family.
Grace,
ReplyDeleteI went to School with Dom
but do remember Stella
and her big Smile
I am so saddened to hear of this
my Prayers are with you all
Thanks for sending this blog Grace,
ReplyDeleteNOt sure if you remember me, but I'm a from of Dom's who used to come visit your family on Little Plains Rd.. I'm Brian Atkins who went be the knickname bird... Remember? You must have been 12 years old at the time.
Anyway, thanks for posting this blog. I remember seeing Stella recently while jogging in San Remo, Kings Park. She asked me to come to a mini reunion that she was settting up and always remember her sparkling smile and kind ways. My thoughts are with you, Stella, and your family.
Brian Atkins
Thanks for a great blog Grace.
ReplyDeleteStella was a good friend to me in high school. We had a lot of fun together doing stuff that teenagers like to do.
We lost contact over the years and headed in different direction but I have seen her a few times and she is such a beautiful person inside and out. I have had her on FB but didn't know she was suffering so badly until John Truehart posted about your blog.
It saddens me that this is happening to her. I will keep Stella in my prayers every day.
Grace,
ReplyDeletewords cannot express my feelings for you and your family. I remember when your mom was so sick and the strength that you all showed. I am sure that she is looking down on you now and I pray that she will help you endure the next few months. Heartfelt hugs to you, Stella, Dom, Jimmy and the rest of your family. I always remember Stella's beautiful smile and will continue to keep you all in my prayers.
Love,
Suzanne Rudloff Brrook
Grace,
ReplyDeleteYou don't know us but my husband and I are old high school friends of Stella's. Your sister is an amazing person and has a special place in our hearts. We've had the pleasure of seeing her several times in the past few years. The most recent was at a breakfast for the girls in November. She was in great spirits and I really thought she was going to beat this terrible disease. We are very upset to hear she is not doing good. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Give Stella our love ~John and Donna Raia
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing woman. When I first met Stella, she welcomed me soooo warmly and with love as if she had known me for a long time. Both you and Stella have a special place in my heart because of the amazing women you are and always so caring and loving. My regret is that I was not able to see Stella when she was in Florida because I was ill. You have been blessed to have such a wonderful relationship with your sister, as I have with mine, and I firmly believe that bond and love will always be with you.
ReplyDeleteMy family and I have been praying for Stella and for God to give you and your family the strength and comfort you need.
Always know that both you and Stella are loved very much and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Praying for Stella and the family- She has her family, her strong will and her God by her side.
ReplyDeleteStella is a special friend and special person to al who she has touched!
We love you always, Stella
Darcia
I have a sister and I know how very precious they are!! I will say a special prayer for you are your sister!!!
ReplyDeleteGrace,
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving us a place to send our prayers, thoughts and love to Stella and your family. When I think of Stella I smile, I have many great memories! She is such a loving, caring wonderful woman. It breaks my heart to know what she is going through now. Please let her know how much we care and love her. I wish I lived closer to tell her myself! Your family is in my prayers. Give her a hug for me.
Love,
Jeri
Dear Family & Friends (some old & some new),
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your kind words, support, prayers & fond memories of my dear sister, Stella. When I got to the hospital today, she was so surprised to see me. When I said goodbye on Sunday, I told her I would be back for her birthday (February 12th). She asked me why I came back so soon? I told her that I took my family back to Florida, and that I just wanted to come spend time with her.
When I left her on Sunday morning, I wasn't expecting things to get this bad--this fast. I had to come. Today when I was with her, I was hopeful that I would have a chance to let her know all of the things I need to say to her, but I didn't get to do that yet.
She is very weak & slept most of the day. I tried to tell her that I wrote a blog in her honor, but I am not sure she comprehended all of it. I was able to read a few of the letters to her. I believe she was comforted hearing me read to her.
Tomorrow we will find out about Hospice. I am crying so hard right now that it just doesn't seem fair. I keep hearing people say, "Be strong"-- but it is very hard to be strong when you can't save the person who saved you.
Please keep the prayers coming for my sister. Thank you for reading & caring about us.
Love, Grace
Stella,
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen you for almost over 34 years, when we graduated from the Aerospace High School Hall of Fame, John H. Glenn. And, I just wanted to pass a special message to you.
I understand that your sense of strength and character are being tested, and that the gauge of your spirit and person remain positive, and unyielding.
Keep the daily hope of life, and light, with you at all times. Wear your rich smile, and embrace the warmth of friends and family. Taste and remember the sweetness of life, always.
Your presence and special, simple touch remain indelibly written across all our minds and hearts. We all remain, steadfastly with you, always. God bless you, Stella!
Jamie Rohrbacher
Dear Lord,
ReplyDeleteI pray that you provide a miracle for Stella and that you make her well and give her a plan for the rest of her life. Thank you God for providing this miracle. Please provide comfort for the pain during her healing. In Jesus name I pray, amen !
Grace,
ReplyDeleteYou do need to be strong for your sister, as hard as that may be.
You should also share how you feel, that will be a great encouragement to her too.
We are praying for you also - I have an older sister who always looked out for me and as the years go on the bond only gets stronger!
Darcia JHG 1977
Oh Grace!! My heart goes out to you and your sweet sister. There are no words I could say that could change how you're feeling. I am so very thankful that you are able to make these life-lasting memories with her now, although I know you pray with everything you have that the memories made were under different circumstances.
ReplyDeletePrayers constantly being said for peace in your hearts. It will be much harder for those left here on earth. You sweet sister will, in His time, walk into Jesus' loving arms and she will be healed, pain-free, for eternity. I am also so very grateful that your faith has taught you that this will only be a temporary separation and that someday, you will both be together again, sharing, loving and worshipping the King of Kings, together.
Love you dear friend. You remain in my heart!
Friend of a friend but sister none the less. You're all in our thoughts and prayers. I worship a BIG, POWERFUL, MIGHTY God who is full of love and healing and comfort and peace. I ask Him to shower you in all you need from Him. May you FEEL Him holding you in the Palm of His ever capable hands.
ReplyDeleteMuch love, Beth Gore (Tampa, Florida)
Dear Grace THANK YOU so very much for putting together this blog so that we can all communicate our love and prayers for Stella and your entire family. What an inspiring outpouring of care, concern and love for one of the most caring and loving persons I have ever had the privilege of knowing in my lifetime. She has long been an inspiration to me in many ways and will always continue to be so! My heart goes out to you.
ReplyDeleteDear Stella, I love you so much. I know that you have been through a frightening and painful journey, but that in the core of your self there is a calm and peace and strength and belief in God that has kept you going so bravely through it all. When I think of you (which is every moment of every day-no kidding! how is it possible? It just IS) I feel that calm and peace and strength coming thru, and I see that beautiful Stella smile. Even in this worst difficulty you still inspire me. I will see you soon sweetie...Until then, hugs and kisses x 1 billion infinities, Julie
Grace ~ I am so glad you came back to spend time with your sister. This is time you will cherish a lifetime...even if it is to merely watch her sleep. My heart goes out to you and to your sister, Stella. I have been reading the comments and she sure sounds like something special. :o) I am a friend of Ohilda's...part of her prayer brigade. Please accept my prayers for you, Stella and your family. May God grant you the time to say what you need to say to each other...even if it is silent and spoken only through your hearts.
ReplyDeleteMuch love,
Cyndi in NE
Dear Grace, I'm so sorry for what your family is going through,there's been too much heartache over the years.As I sit and write a flood of wonderful memories come back to me about the Ciocia family, It's such a big part of my childhood....Grace, I'll prayer for Stella,please give her a big kiss for me!!!!!Much love,KIM
ReplyDeleteDear Stella
ReplyDeletePraying for you and your family - peace and strength
Would love to come visit but fully understand- family and rest first! - Just what any Dr would order! Maybe in the future when you are stronger.
But I do not need to see you to be close to you- you are in my prayers and thoughts OFTEN
God loves you and so do I.
Love Darcia - your fieldhocky and clarinet partner!!
Dear Grace: I am so glad that you were able to put this blog together or I might have never known about Stella. I don't get on Facebook often but something made me look through the posts tonight and I saw Josie's post to you and so I went looking for the blog. I am so sorry to hear about Stella and her battle with this awful disease. I remember like it was yesterday what your mom went through and how hard it was on all of you. I will say prayers for Stella every day that she might have a miraculous recovery or at the very least be able to make it through the time that is left for her as comfortable as possible. You are both so lucky to have had this time together to make memories that will help you though the hard times. It is a wonderful gift you are giving to her and her family. I am sorry that you have had your struggles with this as well. My heart breaks for you , Dom and Jimmy to have to watch her struggling with this illness. I pray for strength for all of you. Please give everyone my love and thoughts and give Stella a big hug and kiss from me. It has been too many years, but you all will have a special place in my heart since I was lucky enough to grow up together with all of you. Love your old neighbor, Elaine P.
ReplyDelete