GREAT suggestions from everyone.
I will echo others when I say to give your sister some time - everyone is different, and she may need more or less time than other people. You definitely want to have a "book" of info - and to make it a little easier, you can order a Survivor Notebook from the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It is free, but you have to pay for shipping:
http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.jvKZLb ... tebook.htm
For now, one of the best things you can do for her is to be here "eyes and ears" since there is no way that she can 100% deal with her diagnosis right now. Take a notebook and pen everywhere so that you can write down notes, thoughts and questions she may have. Especially make sure that she takes someone (if not you, someone!) to the doctor with her every time. It is so hard to take in everything a doctor says even when you don't have cancer!
In that same vein, you can help now by gathering information that may not be used until later. When your sister wants it, you will be able to hand it to her or tell her where to go (whichever she prefers). It is really hard, but keep in mind that everything is all HER decision - she may want to know everything, she may want the doctor to decide everything, she may question everything, she may not. Whatever she needs or wants, it is her decision - not yours. All you can do is to help make sure that she is well-educated and has the information to be able to make her own decisions. This is SO hard if and when they are not the same decisions you would make.
I am not a survivor, but I most often hear from people diagnosed with cancer that they didn't want to be "that person with cancer." Let your sister do things for you, even if it is just to listen while you vent about your job, your kids or a bad day at the grocery store - whatever. Everyone will be doing things "for her" and everything will be centered around the fact that she has cancer. She may appreciate the opportunity to "be normal" by doing something for you. Remember that she is still your sister - talk to her and share with her the same way you always have.
Take time for yourself and take care of yourself - if you don't, you won't be able to help her. MUCH easier said than done!
Hannah
Hannah K. Vogler
Co-Founder, The Colon Club
cousin of Amanda Sherwood Roberts
dx 1/99 Stage III at age 24
died January 1, 2002 at age 27