i just learned that my friend has stage 3 lung cancer. she's been coughing for months, and didn't really think anything about it until the coughing started keeping her up at night. she went to the doctor, had some antibiotics, didn't help. he ordered chest x-rays, and there it was.

she's going to try a round or two of chemo, but the dr's prognosis is not good. he's giving her about 6-8 months, even with the chemo. her resolve and faith are strong, so she believes the chemo will kill off the cancer. i am trying to be supportive and want to spend even more time with her. time together is precious, but i am beside myself with grief and worry.

please say a prayer for her next week monday, that the chemo will kill off the cancer.

Thoughts and prayers go out to your friend and to you.

Prayers for you and your friend.

WW, prayers from Texas....

3rd round of chemo and she is still going strong in spirit. we had a "girls day" to find some replacement hair (all fell out). she didn't want to wear the hair, but she's feeling cold lately, and we convinced her to get the hair to keep her body heat in. she tried the scarves + hats, but still felt the chill.

if you have any suggestions, we are open. note, we didn't get the hair yet.

Glad she has such a great friend to be with her every step of the way. Does she just feel funny about wearing a wig or afraid it won't suit her?

I am guessing that there are no cold weather sports shops in Hawaii, so maybe try checking out REI, Sports Authority etc. on line for a ski type beannie that she could wear under an attractive scarf or hat (unless she likes the look of the ski beannie).
Your friend is very lucky to have you for support. Your kind words to me have been very inspirational and helped to keep us going.

God Bless you and your friend. May the treatments be beneficial and kill of the cancer. The power of prayer is amazing.

Prayers from NM for you and your friend.

OH my. I am so sorry to hear this!!! Prayers from TN going up!!

Prayers from NV! I've seen and heard about many people's struggle with cancer and attitude makes a huge difference. Her fighting spirit will make a difference.

My step-father has a friend who has brain cancer and was given a few months to live...that was over 3 years ago and he's still going strong. There is hope for anyone with the courage to fight.

Prayers from PA.

Our neighbor's son had 'inoperable brain cancer' 15 years ago. He is still going strong and cancer free.

Miracles do happen.

More prayers from PA. I don't know if you are a knitter or know a knitter but there is a free web site called Ravelery that has knit patterns for chemo caps/hats. Many of the patterns are free.

There but for the grace of God go I......Prayers from OK!

thanks everyone. we, especially she, is spiritually very strong. she thinks the wig thing is too fake (we looked at wigs made from real hair). the stylist said he could cut it to her previous hair style. i think she's self-conscious - i would be too, so i'm totally sympathetic.

i know many of you can't believe she's cold in hawaii, but when the weather drops to the 70's, in the evenings and night, she has a hard time coping sometimes. early on, the heat during the day has burnt her scalp - through her scarf. so she had a sunburn on the side of her head which we treated with aloe. (it's perfectly healed now.)

last night after reading some of the posts, i found my light ski cap. i'll bring it over to her tonight to see if it will work, covered by a scarf, it might be OK.

there are so many things to take in consideration - things we took for granted. live each day like it's your last one - enjoy what you are doing and the ones you are with.

i need to ask for some special prayers for my friend. this last round of chemo was not good. i am worried. the doc told her (i was with her and her husband) that the chemo is not working (cat scan showed no decrease in growth). at least he didn't say there was more growth.

here's the worrisome part - she didn't/couldn't get up all weekend, slept fitfully and said that every joint hurt. her husband is taking her to the doc today, but i can't go with her. i am afraid of what is to come...she is my best friend.

Big hugs for you, WW. Prayers going up for your friend.

Prayers for you, your friend and her family.