Sister's illness leads to transplant questions
Dear Amy: My sister is receiving treatment for a chronic illness. Eventually her treatment will cease to be effective without a kidney transplant.
When she was originally diagnosed, five years ago (and from time to time since then), my family and I have expressed our wishes to her to be tested to see if we were transplant matches.
She has never provided us with transplant testing information, nor do any of us even know if she is pursuing a transplant.
She is a very private person, particularly about her health, and she resents advice or inquiries that she thinks are intrusive.
I accept that she is an adult and can make her own choices regarding her health, and information about it.
We lost our parents years ago to cancer, and our family can be overbearing and inquisitive.
Many well-meaning relatives ask me about her latest news, and they seem to think I should be pushing her more to pursue this transplant.
I would be devastated if this illness claimed her life, and I have a young son who adores her and whom she adores, not to mention all the family and friends who care about her.
Should I be doing more to advocate for my sister's life?
-- A Concerned Sister
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