Monday, October 25, 2010

A Dedication to True Love: Sunrise 6.19.1990 - Sunset 9.11.2010





Every one grieves differently and so many people have told me that “Time will heal all” But I often ask myself “Am I waiting for something that might not ever come?” When 9/11 happened I was so sad but it didn’t really hit me hard because I didn’t lose anyone. But this year it hit me like a ton of bricks. My little sister Sharita Yates aka “Sauce Gurl” passed away. In June 2009, Sharita was diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). ALL makes up 80% of childhood acute leukemia’s. Most cases occur in children ages 3 - 7. The disease may also occur in adults.

In acute leukemia, cancerous cells multiply quickly and replace normal cells. Cancerous cells take over normal parts of the bone marrow, often causing low blood counts.
Most cases of ALL have no obvious cause. However, the following may play a role in the development of leukemia:
·         Certain chromosome problems
·         Radiation exposure or being exposed to x-rays before birth
·         Past treatment with chemotherapy drugs
·         Receiving a bone marrow transplant
·         Toxins such as benzene

Sharita went through Chemo and finished her last treatment in December. Everything seems to be going well. Or so we thought. She went into remission and her cancer came back in the end of January. After going through Chemo and having radiation done on her full body she was still strong. She needed to do this to prepare for a Bone Marrow transplant.

Sharita got the Bone Marrow transplant August 12, 2010 (My son’s birthday) and was now in recovery. She was doing so well. Her skin was beautiful and She was just grateful that everything was going well. She had to spend 100 days in the hospital. She complained about missing the summer but the thought of being better and being able to do things later outweighed her grieve. As long as she had visitors, her cell phone and computer with internet access…… she was ok.

Her Bone Marrow never kicked in when we needed it to, she got sick in the hospital and everything went downhill from there. We all were so hopeful. I mean what family wouldn’t be? Sharita was a fighter and she fought until she could not fight no more. We lost a beautiful person on September 11, 2010. She may be gone but she will never be forgotten. May you rest in peace Rita Gurl and I dedicate my blog to you. You were always giving people advice on love. Although you were just 20 years old you had a lot of information to share with the world. I will love you forever!!!!!!

 Information about ALL has been provided by Medline Plus. To learn more about Leukemia I have provided some links below: 

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000541.htm

1 comment:

  1. I love my sharita! I hear her every now and then asking me for money and me telling her I don't have any. Then she retorts "You just got paid on Friday, I know you have money". I will definitely miss that but will never forget. Iris.....

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