My sister Coco has always been a resilient and creative force, navigating life's challenges with strength, determination, and style. (Coco is her nickname - also known as Chrisy and Christine).

Throughout her life, she’s struggled with complex health issues as a highly allergic and sensitive person. Much like our father—who passed away at age 49 after a lifetime of unexplained health problems—Coco has faced ongoing difficulties that were never fully understood or diagnosed. Our father’s experience, which ended with chemotherapy despite no cancer, remains a mystery.

(She is currently creating a “crime scene wall” to figure out both our father's death and her own diagnosis—complete with the red string like you see in the movies).

This past year brought a whirlwind of craziness. After 18 years of marriage, she faced a difficult separation which was unexpected. She continued to run her design business, create a large-scale public art project for the local newspaper (The Press Democrat), and prepared her daughter for high school graduation and college in France. She then made the brave decision to move to France as well, as a fresh start seemed to be in order.

It was a time of incredible stress, but she continued working day and night on her daughter’s college applications, securing a French visa, and planning for a fresh start abroad.

Just one day after receiving her French residency visa, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. With no family history of or genetic predisposition to cancer, the diagnosis came as a complete shock. Doctors immediately recognized her case as "rare and unusual," after performing 25 surgical biopsies (on one side)! Later, scans revealed that the cancer had spread to her liver and bones, marking the beginning of her journey with Stage 4 breast cancer, whichis not curable, but it can be managed with lifelong medications. It's eastimated that the disease has only been present 6-8 months. Stress can do crazy things; the doctors are baffled.

Despite the diagnosis, Coco’s spirit remains unshaken. (Well, mostly). She has sold most of her belongings and found temporary housing while taking her daughter to France to begin school. Her medical team at Kaiser in Santa Rosa is providing treatment, but given the unique nature of her case, both she and her doctors feel that additional, more specialized care may be necessary.

While navigating her treatment and planning for the future, She is also turning to her passion for art as a source of strength and creativity. She is in the process of launching an online shop—Delicate Creature—where she will sell art, design, and merchandise to help with medical expenses and support her journey. Though the shop is not yet live, Coco invites everyone to check back soon at www.delicatecreature.com for updates.

My sister's journey is one of perseverance, creativity, and hope. The funds will be used to help with medical expenses, including treatments, medications, and possible travel for specialized care, as well as living costs during this transition period. Plus, of course she needs an amazing wig collection. (kidding).

Your generosity, whether through a donation, spreading the word, or sending positive vibes, is deeply appreciated. This will not only help her continue her treatment as stress-free as possible, but also allow her to keep doing what she loves—creating art and finding beauty in every moment.

Thank you for being part of this story, for your kindness, and for helping her move forward with strength and grace.

Created by:

Lorrie Petersen (sister) and Hiya Swanhuyser (friend)

(Photos: 1. Messing around, 2. First chemo 9/25/ 2024 with ice boots and gloves, 3. Coco, 4. Coco's daughters, Lily & Emma, 5. Coco & friend Heather at yoga, 9/21/2024).