I’ve known Derek for over 20 years and though we haven’t hung out much over the last few years, I still consider him to be one of my best friends. One of the most intelligent people I know, and not a half-bad Mario Kart player, he has been a loyal friend despite the occasional mood swing on my part.
A few days ago, he posted some shocking news on his blog about his current health. He has been diagnosed with stage three cancer of the rectum. As a result, he will have to undergo radiation and possibly chemotherapy treatments before having surgery.
As it happens, my aunt also revealed that she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently going through radiation therapy.
That’s two cases that have hit pretty close to home for me. I have spent a lot of time thinking about it and I wish there was something more I could do than just offer a kind word, but maybe that’s what it takes to help beat it down. Being a friend, being there if needed.
I’m there for you.
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Posted on March 7th, 2007 by Alistair
Filed under: Friends
Absolutely right. As a survivor myself, I remember there was nothing anyone could say or do, to ease the pain. Knowing people were there incase I needed them was very comforting. So just do what your doing…continue to be a friend.
It puts life into a whole new prospective, doesn’t it? When my Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer, and had surgery to remove part of his left lung, followed by 6 month of chemo therapy, I was completely prepared for him to die. Luckily for him and my family, he survived, and is doing fantastic 2 years later. The whole experience made me appreciate all the things in my life that I use to take for granted. Cancer can hit anyone at any time. It’s best never to leave anything unsaid or undone because one day you might lose the opportunity.
You are truly a great friend, and from my perspective, its nice to see this more sensitive side of you. :) I am here for you, Sweetie… Every support system, needs support too.
My mum lost all her brothers and sisters, and both parents to cancer. She was terrified of getting it herself. Ironically, even though she passed away on June 9th 2004 and I miss her terribly, I’m just so thankful that she died in her sleep and didn’t have to endure the statistical probability of a lingering death by cancer.
It’s just so frightening how the “Big C” can attack unsuspecting, innocent folk without warning!
I am a search engine optimization consultant myself, and one of my own business clients phoned me at Christmas time to “thank me for all the great work I’d done for, but to stop what I was doing for the time being as she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer!”
I was truly shocked!
So yes, in a certain empathetic sort of way, I “feel” your anguish, too:)