Sister Act: Facing Cancer, and the Future, Together
Patricia McMorrow | 03.04.20
The vanKoeverden sisters of Rochester, MN, want you to know they were Ana and Elsa way before the Frozen franchise came along. And to answer what starstruck little kids ask all the time: No merchandise. No millions. Not even free movie tickets.
Like their animated counterparts, Ana, 14, and Elsa, 12, are brave, strong and, yes, beautiful. But instead of an epic adventure to free their kingdom from eternal winter, the threat being faced by the real-life sisters, alongside their parents, is brain cancer.
A few months after her third birthday, Ana was diagnosed with a Grade 1 pilocytic astrocytoma, a slow-growing tumor in her brainstem. She had been vomiting on-and-off and, after ruling out simple causes, doctors at Mayo Clinic—where Ana’s Dad, Kevin, is a nurse anesthetist and Mom, Heather, worked as an occupational therapist—scheduled an MRI.
The tumor that turned the family’s life upside down was in a place too delicate for surgery, so Ana’s first treatment was a 15-month chemo regime. Two years later came another nine months of chemo, followed by six weeks of radiation. Then after four years of stable scans, the tumor grew again.
It has been stubbornly persistent since 2017, and Ana is now on her sixth line of treatment. That’s cancer-speak for the number of times and approaches doctors have used to attack the tumor.
Ana has more than 800 Beads of Courage to show for it. One for every needle poke, scan, dose of chemo or radiation or hospital stay over the past 11 years. But there are no beads for rashes, fevers, nausea, weight loss, exhaustion, missing school and having to modify so many activities for such a long time.
“When you look at me, you don’t think, ‘Oh, my God, she has cancer!'” Ana said. “But when you see all my beads, you’re like, ‘Oh, she has cancer.’ The beads help explain me, without any words.”
Putting sister Elsa into words is trickier. Just 17 months old at the time of Ana’s diagnosis, she has little or no memory of when cancer wasn’t in the family picture. Glimpses of her spirit and soul show in the CaringBridge Journal that Heather and Kevin have been updating since 2008.
The day before Elsa turned 4, on May 3, 2011, Heather wrote, “Elsa has grown up as a ‘shadow survivor’ and knows nothing different than hanging out with kids without hair, playing doll-hospital and joining us on this journey and all that goes with it. As she matures, she takes on a new understanding of the story. This kid can come up with some amazing questions about God and how this whole deal works.”
She even wondered aloud when she might be getting cancer, too, as if it was a normal part of childhood, like well-child visits and immunizations.
Other Journal entries describe Elsa wanting to sell her toys to give money to Ana’s doctors for better medicine, helping Ana put on her shoes and coat for a post-chemo trip to the ER, and asking her parents, “When is this cancer ever going to go away?”
With no answer to this question, the vanKoeverden girls simply keep going.
For Ana, it’s mornings at school and afternoons to rest, recover and do homework. Then it’s off to serve as manager of the high school girls basketball team, unless fatigue and nausea interfere. “I’m feeling about 50% right now,” she said.
She has also taken over from her parents much of the writing on her CaringBridge Journal, providing health commentary from a 14-year-old’s perspective—”This tumor is stupid”—and updates on her “long-overdue” bedroom remodel.
About her sister, Ana recently wrote, “Elsa is just being her crazy self. She’s liking middle school and she does really well. It’s totally unfair how little she has to study. Even though we have our days, she does show up when I need her. Her life gets changed by all the stuff happening to me, too.”
Elsa prefers the view from horseback, and would like to ride much more often than her schedule permits. She would also like to have much more time with electronics than her mother would consider plenty.
Her view about Ana’s cancer is wise, practical and inspirational: “Just think less and live more, for Pete’s sake! If all you do is worry, if things would actually get bad, you will have lived a whole life of worry. Don’t worry until you have to. Just have fun.”
What brave girls Ana and Elsa are , to confront living with cancer from an early age. My hope is for both of them to show the compassion they’ve shown throughout their lives. Reading about them gives hope in these dark tiomes. Blessings.
What an amazing relationship your family has! Beautiful family inside out – Elsa will beat it for good! Love the last passage the most – live your life to its fullest and worry when you have to.. you are all very lucky!
These girls are special and caring! Cancer is bad for anyone, but I can’t imagine a kid trying to deal with it and keep on going.
What an amazing family. My heart truly aches for all of them, but especially Ana. Thank you for shining some light on this gloomy day here in Central NJ. God bless Ana, Elsa and Mom and Dad! And god bless those beautiful horses as well!
My cousin Renee Hirte is working on getting grants for her brain tumor treatment. Once she gets the funding she will start clinical trials at the Mayo Clinic. She usually needs a small piece of the tumor to find the best treatment that eradicates the tumor. Since both of the parents work at Mayo they can talk with the cancer doctors there to see if Ana can get into Renee’s clinical trials.
I love the idea of the beads. I have always thought I should have kept all my arm bands from hospital admissions and E.R. visits. Since I’m now 65 , it would be quite long! I have had a chronic disease since I was about 16; and now towards the end as I’on TPN. It has been a long interesting trip. You seem to be a brave strong girl, with a great family to support you, and I wish you the moon and the stars and a life to live as long as you are given. You know it’s not any easy ride, but we can choose to be the red car that shines, or the old rusty cruiser that chugs along. I prefer somewhere in between. I also have had bouts with bladder cancer, the “good kind” of cancer my doctor told me. It is crohns disease that got me! You stay strong keep your head up . It’s wonderful you have a sister and family to support you. Wishing you well my dear ,and stay warm this winter! Wendy Will
What brave, beautiful young ladies! I will keep your family in my prayers
Beautiful saga of faith and strength- God Bless your whole family. I just lost my wife of almost 51 years in August who fought various cancers for 22 years. She was very strong and a great wife and Mom & Grandma-miss her terribly but your battle resonates with me this Sunday morning. Sending you all my Blessings!!
Inspiring story of courage. May you live your life fully!!!
Quite a read. Two wonderful, special young ladies. Elsa’s response is brilliant advice for most families. Thanks girls!
Thank you for this interesting article. I have known Anas story almost all the time, thanks to her grandmam Fellows. I used to be an exchance student on Swan Bros farm in 1966. After that I visited to Allan and Hilding with my wife Marja-Leena and son Pekka in June 1990. I remember, when Heather was playing with Pekka on farm yard. Ana has been very strong young lady. We pray for you here. Greetings from Finland. Esko Kaukonen.
Prayers for God’s healing—-such a sweet story of two sisters too—and I have two sisters and three brothers, so I can understand the love between siblings for sure! I have had ovarian cancer and am cancer free now—five years but have Lynch syndrome so have to be tested for a lot of cancers. Praying you stay close to the Lord and that healing is in your future. God bless!
Lovely family, thanks for sharing. Hope you don’t mind me sharing this positive news story about a young cancer survivor.
Anna & Elsa, You are an inspiration beyond what your namesakes brought to the big screen! Keep living life to its fullest and leave worry behind! That’s what my late son, Ryder, lived by. It wasn’t cancer that took him from us. But we try to live by his philosophies which he developed during his treatment. I will share your story with my husband who co-directed the Frozen movies. If you’d like to read more about Ryder, you can find the book I wrote about his life and light at ryderbuckmusic.comWishing you the best life has to offer!-Shelley Buck
Godspeed!
Ana , super- warrior, and spirit sister Elsa – you are an extraordinary pair! I also am a stage IV survivor, but not for as long as you have been. My sister lives in Indiana and I live in Pennsylvania. She has been by my side since my diagnosis in Feb 2018, by telephone mostly, but she’s been there. You two are great role models! Thanks for your story!
You have this,you look great to be as sick as you are.I am a Stage 4 Survivor, I almost died in Oct.2012. You are young and you have to fight,be strong, keep your faith, pray,and yes,live life as much as you can.My Family sends you Love and Prayers
Thank you for sharing this amazing story. Two words derail sisters!
A brave & resilient family with their daughter who must be such an inspiration to all! Hoping for a healing!
Sending our love and prayers to you all❤️?? May God bless you and keep you. Our family is made up of two sisters as well, The youngest 16 now battling a second Ewing’s Sarcoma journey and an older sister 23 who walks beside her always. Thank God for sisters ???❤️
May God bless you beautiful family and wrap you always in his loving arms.
I think that young lady has the courage of the hundredsof kids pulling a rope to see who might win! The Grace ofGod is surely with her! I’ve been a nurse for 40 years & not heard such a great story of True faith by teen & family!
How brave and wise these young girls are.
Somehow I never realized how beautiful Carol really was we have to find a way to take this awful terrorizing disease back to hell exactly where it came fromI love u my beautiful sister. I’ll meet you in the morning over there. Love u
What a inspiring story, Ana. You should be very proud of the young woman you have become through all of this ordeal. You are such an inspiration for us all, showing us courage, strength and love. Know this has been a very long journey and we hope that you have the strength to continue on. You are such a treasure to your Mom and Dad. You have also been such a good example for your sister. She has learned a lot and loves you more for all you have shown her. Love seeing the pictures of you both…it’s been a while since I have seen you both, but you are becoming such beautiful young women. I will continue to pray for you through this journey. Give your family my best – an extra hug to Grandma Phyllis.
Wow this is such an inspirational story of such a warrior and her warrior family. God Bless You all and let chemo 7 be the CURE! I have never meant Ana but am friends with her Grandma Chris and Grandpa Dutch. Continue being strong dear Ana. Bless you too Elsa for being such an encouraging and loving sister. I continue to wear my deep aqua bracelet and keep you all in my prayers.
What a great story of how to live thru trials. I love what Elsa’s view is, if more people followed her advice this world would be better place. I have followed your story since the beginning having worked with your Dad since Ana was born. I admire you all for your strength and faith thru this journey. May God bless you all I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
I love that you all can continue to fight and keep positive through this journey! Keep the faith and prayers are going up for you all!!
Love the pictures and what a Beautiful written story. I have heard about your horse so was fun to see the picture. Ana your are one amazing girl. You are amazing in many many ways! Talked to Grandma today and you are really amazingly brave making her beautuiful !! We are Always thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and Prayers. You are All a very Special family and in our thoughts and hearts. Prayers
Ana my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, your such an amazing young lady to have gone through all you have endured , But please keep fighting cause one of these days I’m going to get to meet this amazing young women.
I’m so happy to be friends with your grandparents Dutch and Chris, and appreciate being able to follow your story. I am also a grandparent, so can empathize with them? You are truly one of the STRONGEST. young ladies, mom and dad, FAMILY I know!! I am sending as. much positive HEALING energy and support as I possibly can!! ?
Beautiful story! The story of the beads really hit me hard. Sending encouragement and prayers!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. You and your family will always be in my Thought and prayers. May God always watch over you Comfort and strength to carry-on with life.
I am with Ana live each day fully and with as much fun as you can pack into it !!!!!
Such a great story!! You are such a special family!! Many prayers for all of you. May God put His loving arms arms around each of you and bring comfort, peace and healing!!
Wow! What wise and beautiful young ladies! Thank you for sharing!
The perfect family to feature for Caring Bridge as they have the run the gamut of experiences and have many people in their lives that have also been a part of their story.
Yet another reason to love your family! You guys are special…❤️
Wonderful perspective to share with us! Sending all my good wishes and prayers.
Amazing story of an amazing family! ??
Wow, this is beautiful, as are all of you. Continued prayers to you all, what warriors your family is. And what beautiful, beautiful warriors at that. Ana is often lifted up in prayers at the office of the Bishop, SEMN Synod, as well. I hope she can feel the love of the many that surround her on this journey.
Well-written article certainly captures the love, compassion, and wisdom displayed by your family for oh-too-many years. ////♡?♡||||
Awesome article! Praying always!
How cool!!! And what a wise quote from Elsa!!! I may put that quote on the wall of my office bc it could help so many people! Thanks Elsa!! Thanks Ana and family for showing us how to live.
Awe – I love this and you all!! Such a great story of a wonderful family going through something terrible together! You girls are the original Ana and Elsa!! Miss seeing you all and hope you are doing well, as always if you need or want anything just let me know!! Hugs to my favorite VanKoeverden’s!!! Jamie
This story is SO awesome! And this family is an exuberance of resilience and faith. Thanks for sharing!
Absolutely love the article. Very nice! You are such an amazing and wonderful family. Take care and hugs to all of you.
Story well said. Continue with the positivity!
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I am trying to not worry,but with everything in this crazy world right now , I find it difficult. Your story is very inspiring.
Prayers for this awesome family!!
ThanksI needed this as an adult on neuro onc unitWill follow your adventures forward
Thanks for sharing! This Beads of Courage necklace is such a wonderful idea! Wish I’d thought of it for my kids! And as far as Elsa, there’s wisdom in what she says, though it’s easier to do when you’re feeling well!