Jonathan, that surprised me too, that it was the young woman social worker who first mentioned the stage four cancer. And JoanP, I was surprised that someone like Rodger would say the harsh things that he did, and what the counsellor told your friend.
I’ve been reading in The Etiquette of Illness, and am getting more out of it now that the author has stopped telling us that she is an expert. One thing comes through loud and clear. When you learn or know of the illness of a friend, an acquaintance, a family member, a colleague, whatever – YOU MUST DO SOMETHING. Even if you don’t know what to do or what to say. And the author gives some wonderful examples of people who called when first learning a friend was ill and said, “I don’t know what to say,” And that’s all that was needed. If you don’t call, then write, send a card, but do something. The author gives several first person narratives, from those who were ill, and those who knew them. And she describes "illness responsibilities" (my words, for lack of a better one) for both the patient and those who cared about her.
Will tells us in one of the chapters how his mother beamed when people said they were praying for her, that she was on the prayer list.
I’ve been reading Daily Strength for Daily Needs for about a month now. While each day seems to focus on one topic – patience, duty, love – the overall theme seems to me that God is looking out for you, leave your concerns in his hands.
