Praters for a dear friend

[Guest guest]

Hello, my friends. I was wondering if I could impose upon all of

you for a moment. My best friend, Debbie, was diagnosed with liver

cancer 4 years ago. At that time she was given only 6 months to

live.

Well, I started a prayer line through email and her family is such a

wonderful loving support group for her. I, too was there for her.

We have been friends for about 8 years, now. I tried to be as best

a friend as I could be. When I was diagnosed with RA, she was

there, at my side.

We came to depend on each other for support. Though we had entirely

different medical problems, we had the same need for unconditional

love and understanding. Even if we didn't fully understand what was

going on, we were always there for each other.

She was the only, I mean ONLY person I felt could empathize with

what I was going through. You know how it is trying to get people

who don't have a clue about RA to understand? Well, even if she

didn't understand, she was always a pillar of strength in my life.

She actually got pissed off at me because when she would ask me how

I was doing, I would just tell her I was fine, even if I wasn't. I

think that by talking to each other, telling of our woes to each

other, was actually very theraputic. We helped ourselves by helping

each other, by being there for each other.

We became fast friends, first meeting each other at work. Even

though I am young enough to be her daughter (her daughter is

actually my age) I felt as though she were more like a sister to

me.

I love her soooo much. I got a call from her husband today. She

took a turn for the worst. She waqs doing so well. She had her low

times, but they were out numbered by her great days. In fact, she

was feeling so well that she and her family had made plans to fly to

Hawaii in 2 weeks to celebrate her life. If she should pass away

before that date, I told her husband that they should still go. Go

there to the place that she loved so much, were they spent their

honeymoon and other vacations, and celebrate her life.

She is sooo strong. Liver cancer does not come with a pretty

prognosis. When I found out four years ago, I just cried and

cried. How could this be? Why her? She is such a wonderful person,

she just got married to a wonderful man, and she had so much life in

her. She had so much life in her that she made it 4 more years than

she was given. Seeing her strength gave me strength. She was, is,

my best friend and I can't stand it that I am loosing her. I know

it is only from this world, that she is leaving, but I have never

lost a friend like this before. I have lost many family members

through out my life, as does any one. This is the first time I am

losing a friend. But, she has always been more than a friend. She

has always been my sister.

Well, I just ask that you say a prayer for her as you read this.

She currently on the pallative care floor at a local hospital. She

won't be with us for much longer. She is comfortable and they will

continue to do what they must to keep her that way. I am sooo

greatful for the extra 4 years we had together. I like to think

that my life is better for having known her.

Thank you, everyone, for listening to me. Even now I am having

trouble typing this post because my tears are clouding my site.

Thank you for your prayers, my family. Thank you...Marina