Supporting best friend

My best friend - the most amazing human i know has had double mastectomy and reconstruction for BRAC2 gene breast cancer. When i found out i was so devestated and cried so much but she is the strongest most positive person we weren't allowed to be negative though we all cried and broke our hearts! 18 months init has become common place til tonight when months after surgery weeks after med review she is there throwing up continually. Normal she says for her... For me its not fair! I live away so catching her as a one off and it hit me there is so much more to this than she EVER let on and nothing i can do to help other than clean the bathroom. I had no idea!  She puts on such a strong front - entertaininge and kids when all the time she feels so rough! I want to help what else can i do!? 

  • Hi Lossie,

    Welcome to Cancer Chat. I'm sorry to read about your friend and what she's going through at the moment, it sounds really tough.

    Cancer doesn't just affect the patient but everyone around them too, so it's no surprise that you're finding this hard to see, especially as it sounds like it was a shock.

    It sounds to me like the best thing you can do is to continue to support her however you have so far in your friendship - just being there for her for any talks or help that she might like or need. Not necessarily acting or treating her differently, but just knowing you're there will no doubt continue to be a help for her. As you live far away try not to beat yourself up for not being able to do any more or anything like that.

    My reply here will boost your post so more people will see it and if anyone else has any other advice hopefully they'll be along here soon. Do also feel free to browse the forum for any similar discussions or people that may have been through something similar.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Ben
    Cancer Chat Moderator