Please help me to be there for my friend with breast cancer - Cancer: Breast Message Board

STH73 · 07-22-2007, 12:26 AM

Hi everyone. I have spent some time reading all of your threads and you are an amazing, incredibly supportive group of people!!! I was wondering if any of you could share some of your wisdom with me? One of my closest firends was diagnosed with breast cancer last week, and I am desperate to do anything I can to help her through this. She is an amazingly strong person; she is the one that I go to when I have problems because she is so tough and no-nonsense about everything.
I know that everyone deals with things in different ways, and something helpful to one person may not be helpful to the next, but I was hoping that some of you would share with me some things that your friends and loved ones did to support you, both practical and emotional? I have already offered my help to my friend in caring for her daughter while she is having surgery and treatment, but I don't know what else to do.
Thank you all so much; I think I will be spending a lot of time here reading all of your stories!!

Jezzie25 · 07-23-2007, 07:33 AM

It sounds as if you are doing everything a friend can do. My friends went with me to the Breast Clinic and to the drs. visits before surgery. They came by daily and of course called. They stayed positive and upbeat, as I did. I think just knowing that you are there for her. It is sometimes difficult to ask people for help. Do what you would like for friends to do for you. You sound like a loving friend.

JOJO39 · 07-23-2007, 01:08 PM

Hi Sth73,
I think being there for her is great, going to her doctors appts with her and sitting through chemo (if she has to have it). My friends all got together and formed an email list. When I have chemo every other Friday I get dinner cooked for me the following week. It is awesome, a huge help. If you could get someone to clean her house that would be great also. But I think just her knowing you are there for her to talk to is wonderful.
Take Care and good luck to your friend.
JoJo

STH73 · 07-23-2007, 09:47 PM

Thank you so much for your ideas; I love the idea of an email list to keep track of what is being done to help her.
Thank you for your support; Anyone else who has anything to suggest, or even an anecdote to tell from your own experience I would love to hear it!!
It's obvious that you are all wonderful friends to one another.

Thanks again!!

cjammom · 07-24-2007, 06:23 PM

Hi STH, I am a 4yr survivor of breast cancer..
What I found that I needed when I was diagnosed with this disease was something to look forward to..a special event, trip, lunch, present..whatever it was..it helped me to get through each day, even with chemo! I planned my daughters sweet 16 celebration..and I am so thankful that I had that to keep my mind occupied, and thinking about something other that having cancer..
Your friend is so lucky to have you..
God Bless you both,
hugs,
cj.