Well, today was the day I visited my friend with terminal cancer. It was such a good visit. She was very tired and laid down a lot of the time. Her husband left for a while and we started talking. The first thing she asked me was who baptised her. I remembered when she was baptised and told her who the pastor was. We talked about her children and grandchildren. She showed me pictures of them. I couldn't understand some things she said but that was okay.

I brought out the picture album of our church youth group from the 70's and she enjoyed looking at that, not saying much, but her eyes were all over the pages. She actually laughed out loud at some of the pictures and even mentioned remembering about how we used to decorate the church social building for parties. We talked about her treatments (she brought it up) and she told me how very tired she was. Her husband told me later in private that she cries and talks about dying.

I brought food and when her husband came back, I made them a plate. He said it had been two days since he had gotten her to eat anything. She ate roast beef, gravy, potatoes and carrots!! And drank a glass of iced tea! She at least got her appetite back while I was there.

Her husband is a jewel! The house was clean, no clutter. He attends to her every need. You can tell he loves her so much. She has two daughters who I noticed had painted her nails and one had made her a scrapbook.

After about two hours, I could tell she was tired and sleepy, so I told her I was going to leave so she could sleep. I told her I'd be back next week. I hugged her and told her I loved her and she said she loved me too. I asked her permission to tell some of the others in our old group and she said I could tell them now.

It was a really good visit. I'm so glad I went. I'm just sitting here thinking that it doesn't seem that long ago when we were laughing and talking about boys and what we were going to do on Saturday nights.

Sounds like you really took her mind off her illness and gave her husband a break too. Good for you. It's hard, but so worth it.

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If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition, and then admit that we just don't want to do it.

- Stephen Colbert.

It's hard for some people to accept their own mortality or to ask for help.

Just let your friend know that you are available and truly desire to help and to be there for her and her family.
Please prepare yourself for her to discuss death and dying. She may need to know that it's ok to rest now, oddly enough some people feel the need to have other's permission to quit fighting against a disease.
Help her as much as you can physically (providing food, running errands, taking her to appts.) and emotionally.

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Mental that one, I'm telling you. ---Ron Weasley, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets"

I am so glad that you had a good visit with your friend. I am sure it was difficult for you, but it sounds to me like you really needed the time with your friend, and her with you. Cherish your time together...

I am sure that the visit was good for both of you.

It sounds like a great day for both of you. What a good friend you are to be able to spare an afternoon with her, just reminiscing. I am sure her DH enjoyed the break as well. I am so glad she enjoyed your food-it must have been REALLY good. I know you had to step outside your comfort zone a bit to go visit-but good for you~you made a difference today.

Glad it went so well!!!

HUgs sweetie to you and your dear friend, I am so happy to hear all went well, it seems like both of you are lucky to have each other . I am so pleased you were able to be there for your dear friend. A sincere continued prayer for all. Peace and blessings for all. Catherine

She's lucky to have a friend like you!

Glad to hear it went well. You are a great friend to her...

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I was walking home one night and a guy hammering on a roof called me a paranoid little weirdo. In morse code. -Emo Phillips

Glad you had a nice visit with your friend.

I agree. You will never know what your visit meant to her and her husband.

And it obviously was an important step for you to take for yourself as well..

My prayers are with all of you.

Hon how are things please keep us updated. A sincere continued prayer for all concerned.. Peace. catherine