Recently two friends gave me bad news – they told me they had been diagnosed with cancer. I didn’t know they had gone for tests or that they had concerns. But then again why should I? I would probably keep quiet about it until I knew for certain.
In a moment I could see their lives falling apart around them. They are both waiting for full diagnoses and treatment plans, so the future for them both is uncertain.
Naturally they are worried and thinking of the worst case scenario. Our discussions have ranged from organising the practical (work cover, wills, getting to appointments etc) to things they want to achieve before they die. The holidays they want to have, friends they want to see, things they want to experience.
All I could do was to be as supportive as possible, whilst trying to control my own shock, disbelief and emotions. In a weird way I too felt my own world starting to crumble a little.
One friend is also a client so there was also a brief thought about loss of income as well as a good friend. Of course I felt guilty for thinking this. In no way is loss of work greater that the loss of health, or a good friend. It was just one of those impact thoughts that naturally crop up and disappear as quickly as they came.
After these two bomb shells I was feeling a little battered by life. Not for my own situation but for that’s of my friends.
Photo by Charity Beth Long on Unsplash
As the saying goes “when life throws you lemons, make lemonade”. And with that in mind I fully intend to make sure their coming journeys are supported and filled with good memories as much as I can, whatever the outcomes.
ravenousveggie 