Well Riddler you and I are in the same boat. I got a call telling me my high school math teacher has cancer and was going to be operated immidiately. Now I'm only a year outta of high school and not only was he my fave math teacher he was the most loyal fan to our soccer team and of great encouragement to me. What did I do? I walked around like a chicken with my head cut off and cried myself to sleep then the next day bought a greeting card and mailed it out so that he would have something to laugh at when it was all done and over with. Which hasn't, sugery didn't help now it's up to chemo. Reality is there's nothing we can do, and we feel even more hopeless being miles away.
This of course not being the first time this happened to me. Within a week my grandma, after 70 years of perfect health, was diagnosed with full blown cancer. She had a heart attack during surgery so they sealed her up and she was in comma for a month, when she woke they sent her home to die. I couldn't visit or attend her funeral because of financial difficulties (me in the US she in Brazil). I am still haunted by her last phone call but I won't get into the details of that.
I know that this is less than inspiring and probably more than insensative but being affected by it more than once or twice for that matter, at such a young age has made me just that. Completely insensative torwards death. Cancer is such a harsh disease for both the person infected and the family and friends it's unfair and unforgiving that makes us fell so hopeless and useless. It's truly a horrible thing to go through and all I can say is my prayers and best wishes are with you and your friend. The only other comforting thing is that if you believe in God you know that he'll be going to a better place. If you need a shoulder to cry on I'm here. mbi16@yahoo.com
But my ultimate suggestion is, stick ATYCLB in the jukebox click #5 hit the repeat button and crank up the volume.
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Tha Prickly Comedian