Sunday, July 04, 2010

News and more reflections

I have just found out that a person very close to me has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and just received the diagnosis late last week. Very surprising news that never comes on any sort of
schedule.

Q: What do I say? A: What people have been saying to me, and what has been very helpful: you'll get through this; and know that I'm thinking about you and willing to help in any way that my particular skillset allows. You are not alone. I love you and care about you. The most important thing is to speak from the heart. There is no script, no right or wrong thing to say.

Identify the people in your lives that would leave a hole if they weren't there anymore, and man-/ woman-up and *tell* them, even if they don't have a serious health condition. Easier said than done sometimes, for all of us. I am no world-wise sage, but I can tell you that I feel much closer to many as a result of the outpouring of support that I have received. Notes small and large, phone calls, even just hugs. And I thank you for it, sincerely.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

And I love you, too, as I don't often say, and never very directly.

Signed, The person very close you who just got the diagnosis. I'll come out of my temporary closet pretty soon; it's just that I don't handle sympathy very well, so only a few people know just yet.

As you said: "I can tell you that I feel much closer to many as a result of the outpouring of support that I have received."

One thing, at least, is not news to you, I know. You made the important discovery in the early '90s, when you were hospitalized after the motorcycle accident, that your friends were the people who came to see you -- though you put it more gently than that.

Sitting here listening to the Long Straight Forever downloads. Makes me proud.

--D

Anonymous said...

Listening to more of TLSF, and though I shouldn't be amazed, I am. I've never heard your voice so clearly before, and it's just flat-out good.

--D

Unknown said...

"Identify the people in your lives that would leave a hole if they weren't there anymore, and man-/ woman-up and *tell* them, even if they don't have a serious health condition."

Amen, brother.

Post a Comment