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Upset is probably the wrong word - but certainly makes me feel very sad:
J's sister has just been diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer - best case 2 years, likely much less.
J has many half siblings - but Em is his one full sibling. They were very close as children - then things got very rocky (all to with his Mum and the abusive home they grew up in) and they didn't speak for about a decade - a few years ago they got back in touch with each other, and though they didn't recover the closeness, and they've been up and down since, it is clear that they love each other very much at some level.
J was supposed to be coming over during the Easter break, but he's just heard the news and Jan says he has barely left his den since then. They're going over to Manchester on Monday to see her.
I always had a soft spot for Em - even when they weren't in contact and even when she was a real bitch for a bit - I always liked her. In recent years we haven't spoken much, but the odd facebook message now and then - and a few years ago we all got together for J's graduation and then for J's Dad's 60th.
I'm sad for Em, and for her kids who are too young to be losing their mum. Mostly though my heart is breaking for J - alongside the grief of it all the whole sorry slew of missed years, misunderstandings and shared familial damage will be swirling around in his present in a way that won't be easy to deal with.
And my heart breaks for J's dad too. The idea of him losing his eldest daughter appalls me.
Fuck cancer.
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