{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Earla Loses Leigh-Ann To Pancreatic Cancer","description":"On Season 9, Episode 2 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast\u00ae, host Maya Roffler is joined by Earla Dawn, who shares the story of losing her sister, Leigh-Ann, to pancreatic cancer. Earla takes us back to their childhood on the prairies, four siblings, endless fun, and the kind of relationship that started with \u201cfighting like cats and dogs\u201d\u2026 and grew into a deep, lifelong bond. Leigh-Ann was the polished one, the \u201calways put together\u201d sister, a devoted mom, a dog lover, and a woman who reinvented her life, starting over after divorce, and eventually moving across the world to Spain in 2006. Even with an ocean between them, their connection never faded. They learned Skype, relied on phone calls and letters, and stayed emotionally close until a fall visit home revealed something no one was prepared for: a growth on Leigh-Ann\u2019s pancreas. What followed was a short, devastating season filled with advocacy, tenderness, quiet courage, and moments of unexpected beauty. This episode is a powerful reminder that grief isn\u2019t just about the diagnosis or the timeline it\u2019s about the small moments you carry forever: the way you follow your sibling\u2019s lead, the calm you create for them, the love in the room, and the way connection can exist even without words. In This Episode: (0:00:00) \u2013 Meet Earla and Remembering Leigh-Ann Earla shares their family dynamic, childhood memories, and how their relationship evolved over time. (0:01:30) \u2013 From the Prairies to Spain: A Sisterhood That Stayed Close Leigh-Ann\u2019s big life moves, her reinvention, and how distance didn\u2019t break their bond. (0:04:00) \u2013 Subtle Symptoms and the Turning Point Leigh-Ann\u2019s ongoing stomach issues, declining stamina, and the moment she learned about the pancreatic growth. (0:06:30) \u2013 \u201cI Looked It Up Once\u2026 and Never Again\u201d Earla reflects on the shock of Dr. Google, the fear that followed, and what she learned about living day-by-day. (0:08:00) \u2013 The Worst Day: \u201cIt\u2019s All Over\u201d An oncologist appointment confirms the terminal diagnosis and Earla shares why not having an exact end date changed everything. (0:09:30) \u2013 Following Leigh-Ann\u2019s Lead Earla explains how she honored Leigh-Ann\u2019s choices, advocated for information, and created a calm, sacred space at home. (0:11:30) \u2013 Palliative Support and the Permission of Time The practical support that helped their family breathe and why planning ahead reduced panic later. (0:14:00) \u2013 The List for Life (Not a Bucket List) Leigh-Ann\u2019s wishes: connection, warmth, marriage, travel and the decision to take a \u201choneymoon\u201d to Hawaii. (0:17:30) \u2013 Love, Humor, and the Moments That Stay Earla shares an unforgettable experience of wordless connection laughing together in the quiet. (0:20:00) \u2013 Her Final Days and a Peaceful Death What it looked like, what helped, and why Earla believes we need to talk more honestly about end-of-life moments. (0:22:30) \u2013 A Room Full of Love: Ritual, Meditation, and Goodbye Earla guides a meditation after Leigh-Ann\u2019s passing and describes the gentle, meaningful way they honored her. (0:26:00) \u2013 Grace in Grief: Caring for Yourself While Losing Your Person Earla shares what \u201cgiving yourself grace\u201d looked like in real life including rest, boundaries, and self-trust. (0:31:00) \u2013 Zines, Creativity, and Finding a Way Forward How small, simple storytelling (zines) became an accessible form of grief processing and a bridge back to hope.   This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings\u00ae Connect with Earla:  Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sibling.grief.buds\/ Earla\u2019s Book: https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/dp\/0973216239?ref_=pe_93986420_774957520   Connect with Maya: Podcast Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/survivingsiblingspodcast\/ Maya's Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mayaroffler\/ TikTok: https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@survivingsiblingspodcast Twitter: https:\/\/x.com\/survivingsibpod Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast Patreon: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast   ","author_name":"The Surviving Siblings\u00ae","author_url":"https:\/\/www.thesurvivingsiblings.com","html":"