Comments on: For the Week of July 15, 2012: Living with Cancer http://writingthroughcancer.com/2012/07/14/for-the-week-of-july-15-2012-living-with-cancer/ When life hurts, writing can help. Weekly writing prompts for those living with debilitating illness, pain or trauma. Wed, 22 May 2013 19:08:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Sharon http://writingthroughcancer.com/2012/07/14/for-the-week-of-july-15-2012-living-with-cancer/#comment-2141 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 14:34:58 +0000 http://writingthroughcancer.com/?p=1056#comment-2141 Angela,
You’re giving your friend the best gift of all: listening, being available, a hand to hold when loneliness and fear overtake her, giving her the space and safety to say what she really feels– Compassion is caring. And I think the ability to listen, deeply, is something we all need most as patients, as those faced with these kinds of diagnoses. Arthur Frank’s AT THE WILL OF THE BODY, Rachel Remen’s KITCHEN TABLE WISDOM, and Anatole Broyard’s INTOXICATED BY MY ILLNESS all offer little gems of understanding and insight for anyone seeking to understand how illness affects us–what gifts we can offer as caring friends. You’re a good friend, Angela. Thank you for your post. — Sharon

]]> By: Angela http://writingthroughcancer.com/2012/07/14/for-the-week-of-july-15-2012-living-with-cancer/#comment-2137 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 06:50:23 +0000 http://writingthroughcancer.com/?p=1056#comment-2137 Hi Sharon,
I’m not living with cancer, but one of my best friends is. She has Stage IV breast cancer. It wasn’t found, despite her faithful mammograms, because it was in the breast tissue under her arm, and apparently never in her breast at all. So, I don’t know what it is to fear for my life, but I fear for her life. We see each other often and most times – not all times – I wonder and often ask how she’s doing. She hits the 2nd anniversary of her diagnosis in a few months. She was given about 3 to 5 years to live then and, since then, her cancer has spread slightly. However, more alarming, she has already had to switch hormone-suppressing drugs. So far, no chemotherapy. I told her that, no matter what, I’d be there for her. I think I can be, but it’s scary. I’m never exactly sure what to say, but I am generous with hugs and my time. I’d welcome any suggestions you or others have about what to do, not do, say, not say.
Thanks,
Angela

P.S. Yes, living with that shadow must be awful, but also hopeful since you’re living. I admire your courage.

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