Support for our friend with cancer

9 years ago

Many of you may remember my post about a dear friend who has stage IV lung cancer.

We were all involved with a community theater group for many years, so she's well known.

George and I went to see her on Sunday and it tore me up. I held back the tears till I spoke with her daughter at the door. Luckily the torrent didn't start till after we left her condo. What brought on the flood was her remark "I regret I'm not going to be at your anniversary celebration".

Shortly after getting back home I received a message on Facebook her daughter had posted asking for help. She needs someone for short visits and some over night help. The response has been amazing. Almost all of the dates, both short visit and over night, have been filled by a host of theater people who worked with her. Such an outpouring of love!

Comments (12)

satine_gw
9 years ago
This post touched my heart. When I hear something like this I have to wonder how there could be so much hate in the world when there are such wonderful people with so much love to give. The response to this plea for help is a tribute to this friend of yours showing how many people love her. Im so sorry you are losing your friend.
Satine
Fun2BHere
9 years ago
It's wonderful that your friend's community will surround her with love and caring throughout her illness.
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The one thing that you can always tell the person you are visiting is how much they mean to you...Back in the days when we thought I was going to die, the number of friends and family that visited and told me how much they cared about me was shocking..even our children...I always knew the our children loved me but my husbands children who had only been in my life for some 20 something years, made an extra effort to show their love for me and to even tell me how much I meant to them and how much having me in there lives had mean't to them...When you don't know if you have another month it's important to know that you have made an impact so I say don't be hesitant to visit or to share how you feel...I actually had to start taking anti depressants because my emotions were so raw... They went from saying a quick ..."Love Ya" to "Ruthie I Love you so much"...Yes they call me Ruthie...They were way to old to start calling me Mom and their real Mom would have had a coming unglued if she had ever heard them call me that so we just stuck with Ruthie which they started calling me when they met me..Even some of the Grands call me Ruthie for the same reason...that GrandMother would just cause them too much grief and I don't want that for them and Ruthie is fine for me.... This post was edited by ruthieg__tx on Thu, Mar 6, 14 at 13:41
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susanjf_gw
9 years ago
ditto about the outpouring of help..caring for sick people is the last thing anyone wants to do, sigh....

don't feel bad about your tears...you're a caring person....
ruthieg__tx
9 years ago
That's so wonderful. I found that when I had cancer and really no one felt that I was going to survive, people that I have known forever came forward to let me know how much I meant to them and I think it is a wonderful thing to do for someone who needs a smile and reassurance. I always remind people to say it before it's too late.
Orchidllauraga
9 years ago
I will be praying for you & George during this slow loss of your friend. It is great that the community is showing their love for her. I pray that she has an easy passing.
clubm
9 years ago
Wonderful!! :)
nanny98
9 years ago
Kinda restores one's faith in human kindness. Thanks for sharing.... and letting us know how much you care.
sleeperblues
9 years ago
I'm sorry for your impending loss. It sounds like it might be a good time to get hospice involved. They can ease her suffering and give her daughter a break. Something to think about if they are not already being used.
joyfulguy
9 years ago
Sorry to hear of the troubles that your friend is undergoing ... and a number of you as her friends with her.

Offering some prayers for as much healing, and as easy a passage is possible, through these troubled waters.

And if you feel it relevant, to make mention to her daughter/her that a number of your friends here are thinking of her, some of them offering prayers for them, at this time.

ole joyful
secsteve
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks joyfulguy for the kind words and I'll certainly pass on the wishes.

Just received a message a few minutes ago, and she's apparently going rapidly down hill. Hospice had been called in on a limited basis, but now is there full time.

So glad we got the chance to see her on Sunday.
secsteve
Original Author
9 years ago
I'm writing this with tears in my eyes.

We received a phone call this morning informing us that our dear, lifelong friend, died quietly in her sleep this morning.

She went rapidly down hill after her diagnosis and was on morphine and had hospice care.

I'm so glad George and I got to see her that Sunday before my post on the 20th. She wasn't always lucid and at one point remarked to our friend who was helping look after her that "when are Steve and George coming?" Tore my heart out when we were told that.

I know she's no longer in pain and that knowing Liz she's probably looking down at me and saying something like "O.K. Steve, enough of that now."

We talked to her daughter yesterday who was glad to hear from us and at that time told us she thought it was only a matter of days or even hours.

Farewell dear friend. I know you're helping with a production of some show or other in a different plane now.
Orchidllauraga
9 years ago
I am sorry for your loss. I will pray for you and George to be given the Peace that only the Lord can Grant.

Support for our friend with cancer

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satine_gw

Fun2BHere

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Support for our friend with cancer

Comments (12)

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