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The Surviving Siblings PodcastAuthor: Maya Roffler
This is a show where I share my journey about losing my brother. I realized after losing him in 2016 to a homicide and struggling for years after that there is little to no support for surviving siblings. We are expected to lose our parents and grandparents so naturally there are resources for those losses. When parents lose a child, that is one of the most tragic things that can happen and there are resources. But what happens to siblings? What happens to those of us who lose our brothers and sisters? We are deeply affected and impacted. Yet, hardly anyone talks about this topic. In the past five years, I have found half a dozen books and only one support group. I still miss my brother everyday. We don't expect to lose our siblings as we expect to go through life with them, not without them. This podcast is for you whether you have lost a brother or sister or if you are wanting to understand and support someone who has. I also dedicate this podcast to my brother, Andreas, as he was never afraid to speak his truth and tell his story. Now, I will be sharing my story of loss as a surviving sibling with you. I will also have incredible guests on the show to share their experiences as well. I hope this helps you and you know that you are not alone. XXX Surviving Siblings Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Mental Health, Personal Journals, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Cryssy Loses Danielle To Leukemia
Episode 7
Tuesday, 13 May, 2025
In this heartfelt episode of the Surviving Siblings Podcast, host Maya Roffler welcomes Cryssy, a bereaved sibling who lost her younger sister, Danielle, to acute myeloid leukemia in 2012. As the oldest sibling, Cryssy took on the role of protector, caregiver, and advocate—navigating the heartbreak of watching her sister battle a devastating illness. Cryssy shares her deeply personal journey of anticipatory grief, the pain of losing Danielle at just 21 years old, and the complex emotions of grieving while trying to stay strong for her family. She opens up about the regret of not getting to say goodbye the way she wanted, the physical toll grief took on her body, and the creative, meaningful ways she keeps Danielle’s memory alive every day. This episode is a powerful conversation about sibling loss, anticipatory grief, and finding purpose after tragedy. Cryssy also shares how honoring her sister through traditions, a beloved stuffed animal, and small daily acts has helped her heal—and how grief can manifest physically in ways we might never expect. If you’ve ever felt the weight of grieving a sibling while being the “strong one” for others, Cryssy’s story will remind you that love endures, even through the pain. In This Episode: (00:01:00) – Danielle: A Birthday Gift Sister Cryssy shares how Danielle was born just two days before her own birthday, how they celebrated together, and how their sibling bond was filled with love, chaos, and laughter. (00:04:00) – Big Sister, Protector, Mama Bear Growing up as the oldest, Cryssy stepped into a protective role, helping raise Danielle and their brother, shielding them, and taking on family responsibilities from a young age. (00:05:00) – The Call That Changed Everything Cryssy recounts the moment she learned Danielle was being rushed to the hospital after a bloody nose turned into a leukemia diagnosis—and how she instantly began grieving. (00:08:00) – Facing Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cryssy explains Danielle’s diagnosis, the aggressive treatment process, and how she tried to stay hopeful on the outside while preparing herself internally for the worst. (00:11:00) – Holidays in the Hospital Danielle asked Cryssy to decorate her hospital room for Halloween and Christmas—keeping their family traditions alive despite spending their favorite holidays in a hospital room. (00:14:00) – The Final Christmas Together Cryssy reflects on their last Christmas, staying up all night talking, exchanging meaningful gifts, and creating treasured memories in what would be Danielle’s final holiday. (00:19:00) – Saying Goodbye Without Words Cryssy shares the experience of Danielle’s “surge” before passing, the bittersweet final days, and the deep regret of not being able to say goodbye the way she had hoped. (00:24:00) – Preparing Danielle’s Goodbye Honoring her sister’s love of style, Cryssy lovingly prepared Danielle for her viewing—painting her nails, doing her hair, dressing her in jewelry, and ensuring she looked radiant. (00:31:00) – A Dream Visit From Danielle Months after Danielle’s passing, Cryssy had a vivid dream of Danielle smiling and telling her, “It’s okay to be okay”—a powerful, healing moment that brought her comfort. (00:37:00) – Grief’s Physical Impact Cryssy opens up about how her grief manifested in physical illness, leading to hospitalization, sepsis, and a near-death experience that she believes Danielle helped her survive. (00:48:00) – Finding Purpose in Grief Cryssy reflects on how grief has shaped her purpose, giving her strength to help others and reminding her that grief is love in a different form. This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings Connect with Cryssy: Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cryssycryssycryssy Email: Crystalmperry@yahoo.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Nimbeedonut Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CryssyPerry/ 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
