World Turned Upside Down

Published on November 13, 2006 By JillUser In Blogging

Thursday 11/2 I got news that has changed my world. My best friend since the 4th grade found out she has colon cancer and that it has already spread to her liver. I was in total shock and disbelief when she told me.

She is my age, her children are my childrens' ages; she can't have a life threatening disease! I can't lose a friend that has been there pretty much my entire life. She is such a big part of who I am today. This can't be happening to her!

Of course my mind pretty quickly started imagining what it would be like if it were happening to me. I don't think I would be handling it any where near as well as she is. I just can't bring myself to truly imagine it though.

As soon as she told me she was going in to have the cancerous part of her colon removed, I knew I had to go be with her. She was 5hrs away but I had to get there. My husband immediately offered to take care of the boys and my mom offered to come with me to watch the baby. So Friday morning I headed North.

I couldn't believe how great she looked! She showed me the incision and it didn't even look pink. The doctors said she was healing so well that she could go home much sooner than anticipated and start chemo in a couple of weeks. I'm hopeful that since she is young and in such good health, she will be able to fight off the cancer and bounce back well from the chemo.

She knows as well as I that the chemo is going to make her very sick for a while. It will have to be very aggressive since they said the cancer must be in her blood now to have spread to her liver. She is in for one hell of a fight but I can't fathom any outcome other than her being okay. I simply can't lose my friend.

Comments

Locamama

on Nov 13, 2006

I am so glad that she has your love and support. I hope she has a successful treatment. The body is an amazing thing and sometimes it's healing powers will surprise you. I am a believer in the body mind connection and if she has a good attitude, it can make a world of difference.

If you read Lance Armstrong's book It's not about the bike. He says that cancer is a gift. You will never take things for granted again.

My dad died of colon cancer at 50. He had the additional problem of diabetes so he never healed after his surgery. I will definately be getting a colonoscopy at 40. Early detection can make such a difference.

Dr Guy

on Nov 13, 2006

I heard on the radio today that someone (sorry, I did not catch the name) died of a heart attack at 40. It seems that life does come at you fast. I wish the best for your friend. I hope she has a lot of friends like you in her hour of need now.

dharmagrl

on Nov 13, 2006

Oh honey, I'm so sorry. This is probably one of the hardest things you've ever had to deal with, isn't it?

Your friend is going to have a rough time over the next few months, what with chemotherapy and doctor's visits and hair loss and all the rest of the joyful things that come with a cancer diagnosis and the fight against it. The best thing you can do for her is simply be her friend. That's all. Love her like you always have, and be there for her.

I, in turn, will be here for you should you need me. You have my number; you are more than welcome to call me any time should you need an ear to bend (that's a British-ism) or a shoulder to cry on.

I'm going to a conference on Wednesday and one of the lectures I'm scheduled to attend is about the power of healing touch and how to practice it. I'll send you my notes if you'd like. Maybe your friend could benefit from it...and you may find that you need some too. Often it's almost as hard to be there for the person who's ill as it is to be the one dealing with the illness.

I'll ask the universe to send some healing and courage your friend's way when I meditate tonight. Know that the both of you will be in my thoughts....

JillUser

on Nov 13, 2006

Thanks all so much for your thoughts and prayers. I gave my friend lots of hugs (that's the first thing she wanted when I arrived to visit).

Locamama, one of the scary things, as mentioned early detection being so important, is that she thinks this cancer started over a yr and a half ago when she was pregnant with her now 10month old. I too believe in the mind body connection and that is what keeps me hopeful.

Thanks LW.

Dr. Guy, if my friend didn't have plenty of loving friends and family to care for her right now, I would have stayed with her somehow. Thanks.

Dharma, I may have to bend your ear some time. My friend did say that is probably more difficult for her loved ones than it is for her. She's an incredible person.

InBloom

on Nov 15, 2006

I just read this. I am sorry to hear about your friend. I think it is wonderful that she has a friend like you to lean on in these difficult times.

JillUser

on Nov 15, 2006

Thanks InBloom. She called me Monday to tell me how much she enjoyed the visit and let me know that she is comfortly at home right now. She will be getting her staples out this afternoon and will meet with another oncologist this evening. She is very positive and hopeful yet realistic. That is why I am confident she will win this fight.

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