jkenby
Jul 8, 2009, 02:39 PM
I have a very good friend (25 yrs friendship) whose husband is dying of cancer--week to live, maybe?
He's only 51 and had always been in good health. My spouse, who is an oncology nurse, and I have known for a while that the cancer was terminal and that he didn't have much time left. After a year of going through horrible chemo, etc. my friends have realized/decided to use hospice.
Before their decision, I went up a few weeks ago to visit (they live 1-1/2 hrs away), and I think that I was a good help--mostly just by being there. Unfortunately, I went then because I was going in for major back surgery the next weekend and I was afraid it would be my last chance to see him.
I want to be of help to her (and him), and I'd like to help her. However, I am pretty much flat on my back and incapable of doing anything physically to that end. I'm thinking of writing her a letter to let her know that I love her and I'd like to help, but can't really. I just talked to her and she mentioned "this is a really rough road." I know that it must have taken a lot for them to admit that he was going to die and I'd like to acknowledge that somehow.
Any ideas?
He's only 51 and had always been in good health. My spouse, who is an oncology nurse, and I have known for a while that the cancer was terminal and that he didn't have much time left. After a year of going through horrible chemo, etc. my friends have realized/decided to use hospice.
Before their decision, I went up a few weeks ago to visit (they live 1-1/2 hrs away), and I think that I was a good help--mostly just by being there. Unfortunately, I went then because I was going in for major back surgery the next weekend and I was afraid it would be my last chance to see him.
I want to be of help to her (and him), and I'd like to help her. However, I am pretty much flat on my back and incapable of doing anything physically to that end. I'm thinking of writing her a letter to let her know that I love her and I'd like to help, but can't really. I just talked to her and she mentioned "this is a really rough road." I know that it must have taken a lot for them to admit that he was going to die and I'd like to acknowledge that somehow.
Any ideas?