No sister for 10 years

Make peace with her. I think the reconciliation will help both her and you. She is your sister after all.
Don't just turn up....write her a letter.
I hope you will be able to make amends with each other before it's too late.

I did say that the sister might want contact Oldwoman70 we just dont know.

I just said that I wouldnt want people crawling out of the woodwork at a time like that. Why then? And not when I was well? Would feel like rubbernecking and/or virtual signalling because what is the point when it is too late?

Has she told you herself she is seriously ill?
If so she is hoping for a response.
If her family have told you,then ask them to act as liason between you and find out if she welcomes a visit or at least a response to the news.
You really don't want lifelong regrets that you did nothing to make things better.

I also haven't spoke to my brother for the best part of 7, I have thought about what would I do in a position like yours,
I apologise for my direct questions but what made you stop talking? has your life been better since your lack of contact?a letter is a good idea, turning up unannounced a bad one, could be volatile? You are right family breakdowns are very sad, sometimes they can be repaired sometimes not. do the contact not out of guilt or shame but something to do for yourself as well as your sister

best wishes

I think you're right, Silverlady79, a loving letter would be the best thing. She may be longing to hear from you, who knows? If she doesn't reply, and you're sure she's seen the letter, you'll know how she feels and you won't be any worse off. and best wishes for you both.

I don't agree with notanan your sister may be wanting to hear from you. In your place I would write a letter explaining you would like to see her but only if she would like to see you. Then leave it to her whether she replies. If you don't you could find yourself regretting it.

Personally if it was me who was seriously ill or on my deathbed, I wouldn't want people coming out of the woodwork who weren't part of my life when I was well. Either in person or other forms of contact.

I think if it gets to "the end" its too late. By then I will only want people around who have shared time with me regularly before I got to that point.

Your sister may feel otherwise. That would be me. I would resent "out of the blue" contact if I was sick/dying. It would cause me upset at a time when I had no energy to spare and need to focus on saying goodbye to the people who were IN my life.