As hard as it is to deal with a seemingly sudden change in your sister, I hope you'll think of it as the beginning of the journey to her wellness. It sounds very difficult for her and for you and your family.

Take comfort in allowing the professionals help your sister with the diagnosis, which isn't all that important. What's important is getting treatment and her being compliant with her treatment. Maybe that's where you can do the most good, by being supportive and encouraging and understanding; treatment can be frightening (as is being ill) and difficult to get used to. Being compliant is admitting and accepting that there is something going on needing treatment, so being compliant can be difficult if acceptance isn't there on some level.

This is a difficult time for your family, but can also be a time of growth. You might want to look into some family counselling or individual counselling for help in dealing with all the changes and to help ensure this is not a traumatic experience for your sister's children. It seems their world has been turned upside down and they may need help understanding the many changes in their lives.

I think you care a lot about your sister and she's very lucky to have you there for support.

Prior to being discharged from the hospital, a treatment plan will be put in place for your sister for continued care.

It's going to be a process. Getting better takes time. In spite of how it might appear, it didn't happen 'overnight' and it will take some time and work to get to where she wants to be. It isn't going back, it's going forward.

It's so good that she's started treatment. I wish your sister all the best as well as you the families.