Sunday, August 17, 2008, Barrow, Alaska~

Dear Journal~

This is Sikik's older brother, Mattaq, writing. 

I am writing to let you know that my sister is in the hospital.  Her health has taken a sharp turn for the worse; I'm scared that it won't be long until she dances among the Northern Lights.  She is very ill.

As you know from past entries from my sister, she has been suffering from multiple sclerosis, as well as fibromyalgia.  Well, her doctor surmised that the type of MS she has is the fatal, progressive kind.  She seemed to be doing better; however, a few weeks back, her health got worse, and now doctors think she is dying.

The news was most upsetting.  We've already lost our parents, grandparents; now we face the same fate with our younger sister.  Sikik has always been full of life, joy; she never let things get her down.  I don't know what we are going to do if we were to lose Sikik; it would probably devastate us.

It doesn't seem fair:  Sikik is not even fifty; she doesn't deserve to suffer as she has as of late.  It's been so hard seeing her health deterioate.  We've tried to be there for her, help her in any way possible, but when we leave, we cry.  We always cry.

Sikik is in Anchorage, at the medical center there.  The reason she's in is because her blood count is so low; she's severely anemic, plus her kidneys are failing.  They are keeping a close eye on her, giving her blood transfusions, trying to stave off any further damage to her kidneys.  She's currently in the Intensive Care there, where she can be closely monitored.

Some of the brothers and sisters are in Anchorage; meanwhile, I'm here in Barrow, trying to keep watch over Sikik's apartment.  She lives in a real nice apartment for people with disabilities, and it's been a lot easier on her.

Sikik now uses an electric scooter to get around, and she's lost all ability to walk, do many things.  She needs a lot of help in getting bathed, dressed, fed, etc.  It's been hard on us, yet we Inuit are tough; we try to help each other in times of need, trouble.

I will continue to keep you updated about Sikik's failing health.  Hopefully she'll be around for a while yet, but right now, things look questionable at best.  All I can do is pray to the Great Spirit, pray for a break for our suffering sister as she fights this latest health battle.

Take care and please think of us in the days, weeks ahead. 

~Mattaq Eegeesiak, brother to Sikik Grace. :(