Thank you, Stephanie, for another exceptionally well-written and insightful post. Sydney has done a wonderful job of shining a much-needed light on this shared journey, offering clarity and encouragement to us all. I could not agree more with both of you on the vital importance of self-advocacy. It is absolutely critical that we listen closely to our bodies and truly understand the adversary we are facing. We should never accept an expert's opinion blindly or take it as gospel. Instead, we must empower ourselves to question everything, stay deeply informed, and actively drive our own paths forward.
Dearest Stephanie, this last Substack post I read upon waking up this morning, still in bed.
It stilled me.
I sat with your grief. All the iterations of letting go. I sat with your sadness. Your journey and those you share this experience with. What it asks of you. How you respond. I struggle to find words as a witness. I am full of awe. How life has summoned you to hold grace, fear, pain, frustration, intuition, trust and love all in one hand. It is truly awful and awe full, both in their opposing meanings. All I can do is take a deep breath and imagine standing on this tight rope. Stilling myself enough to look down.
Sydney was truly blessed to have you as her “mentor” and friend as I know you feel equally blessed to have her on your own path. I’m so very sorry. 🙏
Thank you for the focused lens you offer so I can peer through both the narrowest and widest of apertures. I do have a fear of heights and high wide open spaces. Thank you for taking me to these heights and holding my hand.
Deep bow my friend and sending so so much love. Wrapping you in a long, warm hug, heart to heart. ♥️
Thank you for this beautifully written text, Stephanie. I read the NYT article about how she was cyberbullied when it was published. RIP Sydney.
Regarding doctors telling you horrific things, I will never forget the dietitian who when I was 20 years old told me that it did not matter what I ate, I would always be seriously ill in my Crohn’s disease. I seriously contemplated suicide, but read about someone who had become better by alternative medicine. I was skeptical but decided to try it before I ended my life. It turned out that even if I do need daily medicine, I can also keep my disease mostly under control by my own diet. Always trust yourself.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Life can seem so cruel. May the memory of Syd be a blessing to you and all those connected to her.
You write, “Here is the real answer, a few days late. I am still on the rope. The weather is terrible and clear. I can see all the way down.”
Thank you for being so honest with us. You hopefully feel the safety and support to be as honest as you need here. Whatever you need to share to walk the tightrope and face whatever is all the way down, we are here.
I did not know her, my heart breaks all the same. 26 is far to young to have to go through what this disease puts you though. God bless her for her strength and courage to give it all until the end
My son died after 16 short months of treatment for this cancer. Sorry I can’t spell it anymore. He enjoyed his life. He was snowboarding, going to music festivals and playing with his son until he couldn’t. I miss him daily. This is a horrible cancer-none are good but it takes too many young people. There is very little research done on this. More is needed.
This is to honor Sydney's life and to honor the friendship you shared and the grief you are experiencing. Thank you for the link to Sydney's moving talk from over a year ago. Sending love to you and your beloveds.
Thank you for sharing this. I had followed Sydney for a couple years, and was so sad to hear the news, although I had told my daughter a few days before, that It appeared the end of her battle was near. She was a force to be reckoned with, a brilliant and brave soul, with not nearly enough time on earth. She will be missed by so many of us who never even met her.
She has educated us, made us aware of a cancer we had never heard of, and given us much to think about in our own lives.
I wish all the best for you as you continue your battle, and I am so sorry for your loss, as even having never met Sydney myself, I know she was a wonderful friend and she will be missed.
Sydney is so fortunate to have had you as a friend, and to honour her life by sharing her story, Stephanie. Thank you. My heart breaks reading your words.
You made me realise how fortunate I am to have such an incredible Oncologist in Melbourne – Dr Ben Tran. Specialists who are truly awesome, giving, and really do care about their patients, should to be recognised for their fine work.
Thank you Stephanie for your post . She was so young , but lived where most never go . She seem like a special friend to you . I hate cancer . It has take my Mom and Dad and most of my family .
Beautiful, sorrowful words about a pure soul. We are better for her having been here, no matter how briefly. An angel among us, who shone her light, and then glided off, ever so gently. I shall miss her.
Re-reading this post, and just want to thank you again for writing it. And thank you also for linking to Sydney’s CCF 2025 talk. I hadn’t watched it before. It felt good to hear her speak at length (instead of the short TikTok videos). Were you there? You were obviously a good friend and mentor to her who she really appreciated. I didn’t know her, but I miss her. Andy says you feel her everywhere.
I never met her but followed some of her story on TikTok until I left the app for my own peace. I definitely learned from her to keep going. She is amazing and I can’t imagine the void she’s left with her family and friends. My condolences to you and her loved ones.
Heartbreaking, and impossible to fathom. Thank you for your brilliant essay, Stephanie, and I'm so sorry for your loss.
Thank you, Stephanie, for another exceptionally well-written and insightful post. Sydney has done a wonderful job of shining a much-needed light on this shared journey, offering clarity and encouragement to us all. I could not agree more with both of you on the vital importance of self-advocacy. It is absolutely critical that we listen closely to our bodies and truly understand the adversary we are facing. We should never accept an expert's opinion blindly or take it as gospel. Instead, we must empower ourselves to question everything, stay deeply informed, and actively drive our own paths forward.
Dearest Stephanie, this last Substack post I read upon waking up this morning, still in bed.
It stilled me.
I sat with your grief. All the iterations of letting go. I sat with your sadness. Your journey and those you share this experience with. What it asks of you. How you respond. I struggle to find words as a witness. I am full of awe. How life has summoned you to hold grace, fear, pain, frustration, intuition, trust and love all in one hand. It is truly awful and awe full, both in their opposing meanings. All I can do is take a deep breath and imagine standing on this tight rope. Stilling myself enough to look down.
Sydney was truly blessed to have you as her “mentor” and friend as I know you feel equally blessed to have her on your own path. I’m so very sorry. 🙏
Thank you for the focused lens you offer so I can peer through both the narrowest and widest of apertures. I do have a fear of heights and high wide open spaces. Thank you for taking me to these heights and holding my hand.
Deep bow my friend and sending so so much love. Wrapping you in a long, warm hug, heart to heart. ♥️
Thank you for this beautifully written text, Stephanie. I read the NYT article about how she was cyberbullied when it was published. RIP Sydney.
Regarding doctors telling you horrific things, I will never forget the dietitian who when I was 20 years old told me that it did not matter what I ate, I would always be seriously ill in my Crohn’s disease. I seriously contemplated suicide, but read about someone who had become better by alternative medicine. I was skeptical but decided to try it before I ended my life. It turned out that even if I do need daily medicine, I can also keep my disease mostly under control by my own diet. Always trust yourself.
Dear Stephanie,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Life can seem so cruel. May the memory of Syd be a blessing to you and all those connected to her.
You write, “Here is the real answer, a few days late. I am still on the rope. The weather is terrible and clear. I can see all the way down.”
Thank you for being so honest with us. You hopefully feel the safety and support to be as honest as you need here. Whatever you need to share to walk the tightrope and face whatever is all the way down, we are here.
I did not know her, my heart breaks all the same. 26 is far to young to have to go through what this disease puts you though. God bless her for her strength and courage to give it all until the end
Beautiful tribute and friendship. Thank you for letting us in on it. She (and you) are so special to our community 💚
My son died after 16 short months of treatment for this cancer. Sorry I can’t spell it anymore. He enjoyed his life. He was snowboarding, going to music festivals and playing with his son until he couldn’t. I miss him daily. This is a horrible cancer-none are good but it takes too many young people. There is very little research done on this. More is needed.
This is to honor Sydney's life and to honor the friendship you shared and the grief you are experiencing. Thank you for the link to Sydney's moving talk from over a year ago. Sending love to you and your beloveds.
Thank you for sharing this. I had followed Sydney for a couple years, and was so sad to hear the news, although I had told my daughter a few days before, that It appeared the end of her battle was near. She was a force to be reckoned with, a brilliant and brave soul, with not nearly enough time on earth. She will be missed by so many of us who never even met her.
She has educated us, made us aware of a cancer we had never heard of, and given us much to think about in our own lives.
I wish all the best for you as you continue your battle, and I am so sorry for your loss, as even having never met Sydney myself, I know she was a wonderful friend and she will be missed.
Sydney is so fortunate to have had you as a friend, and to honour her life by sharing her story, Stephanie. Thank you. My heart breaks reading your words.
You made me realise how fortunate I am to have such an incredible Oncologist in Melbourne – Dr Ben Tran. Specialists who are truly awesome, giving, and really do care about their patients, should to be recognised for their fine work.
Oofff I am in tears. Thank you for this. It’s a stunning read that I just need to quietly sit with for a bit.
Thank you Stephanie for your post . She was so young , but lived where most never go . She seem like a special friend to you . I hate cancer . It has take my Mom and Dad and most of my family .
Beautiful, sorrowful words about a pure soul. We are better for her having been here, no matter how briefly. An angel among us, who shone her light, and then glided off, ever so gently. I shall miss her.
Re-reading this post, and just want to thank you again for writing it. And thank you also for linking to Sydney’s CCF 2025 talk. I hadn’t watched it before. It felt good to hear her speak at length (instead of the short TikTok videos). Were you there? You were obviously a good friend and mentor to her who she really appreciated. I didn’t know her, but I miss her. Andy says you feel her everywhere.
I never met her but followed some of her story on TikTok until I left the app for my own peace. I definitely learned from her to keep going. She is amazing and I can’t imagine the void she’s left with her family and friends. My condolences to you and her loved ones.