This is for my Sister…
Okay, I really think this blogging thing is kind of, well,stupid, but my loving husband has set this up for me and it is the fastest and easiest way to make a website for my sister. There will be pics and stories and the occasional update on my life because hey- it’s MY blog hehehe. I just want everybody to know my sister as I knew her. Alexandria Wagley–
My sister was born to on January 26, 1975. She was my parents firstborn, the first baby doll my mom had any interest in playing with, the first diaper my dad changed, the first bath he gave and the first to lead the parade of 3 more Wagley kids yet to come. Her life as an only child was short lived as my brother came 18 months later. She quickly went from baby of the family to big sister, a title for which she was premortally made. Three years later I was born. My brother and sister called this the end of the “happy golden years.” Thanks guys- I was the typical little sister. Got into my sister’s stuff, tagged along with her and her older friends, read her journal hehe. I was the content baby of the family until…Page was born. There was a new baby of the family after my 4 years of bliss. I clung to my sister to keep my place as at least the baby sister. Our family was now perfectly symmetrical- 2 girls and 2 boys.
My sister and I shared a room from the time I was born until she went to college in 1993. I don’t really know what memories in those 14 years to highlight because there were so many happy ones. From blanket houses outside in trees to writing Christmas plays and forcing our little brother to participate- when Yang was around there was sunshine. Yang left for college in August of 93. I cried harder than I ever cried in my life. OH how I missed my sister! I thought this would be the hardest thing ever! Then when Yang turned 26 she decided she wanted to serve a mission. That would mean a year and a half with no Gee just letters and 2 phone calls. She left shortly after James and I were married. We both shed buckets of tears as we hugged goodbye in the MTC . James, the ever present photographer, documented our giggles, hugs, and tears. That year and a half seemed to drag on without Yang around. She finally got home June of 2003. Her goal– be married before Page got home the following December and maybe have a baby on the way…
On January 15, 2004 we found out Yang had cancer cells in the fluid in her lungs. She had been home from her mission for 6 months. Life seemed to stand still. 11 days later she celebrated her 29th birthday. I called her that day and sang Happy Birthday in my ridiculously off key happy birthday voice – I had the wrong number.
Yang was sent to the *cough* best cancer treatment center in the nation. They told her that she would start chemo and they would get her better– Cracked jokes, told lies, took tests and sent her on her way. Round 1 Chemo started- ineffective. Round 2 started, after a month of waiting for phone calls to be returned. The cancer had free reign in her body for that month as the chemo had destroyed her immune system. She now had cancer in her neck and cancer in her tail bone. Round 2 chemo- ineffective. We were devastated, but Yang was always optimistic. Radiation was the next step. It was all about slowing the cancer growth. We turned to alternative therapies. Yang’s body was so destroyed and riddled with infection that any kind of vitamin or herbal supplement that went down inevitably came back up. Vomiting became part of her daily routine. She became a shell of her former self. Yang stopped laughing and speaking was even a chore. After several weeks of diligent coffee enemas (part of the Gerson Therapy) she started to be able to eat again. The nausea lessened and we had hope! (I will write more on alternative cancer treatments in later posts)
Our second little nephew was born September 5, 2004. He was to be blessed the last Sunday in September. My parents really wanted to make it, but thought Yang would be too ill to make the trip. Miraculously through alternative treatments Yang decided she felt good enough to make it! Cooper’s blessing day was the last time we were all together happily as a family. Two days later Yang was admitted to Utah Valley Hospital in Provo. Her last words were to me “I love you”. September 28, 2004. I love you too Yang and this is for you-
Most days I don’t know how I’m going to make the rest of my life without my sister. Looking back I think Heavenly Father was trying to prepare us for this. He separated us during such pivotal times in our lives. This is just another temporary separation… Yang has been gone for 3 years.
In the following posts I will write my memories as they come to me. I know this really doesn’t do the life of my sister justice, but this is just a start. If anyone has any comments or amendments to any of my stories please feel free to let me know.