Got my world rocked today. A friend of mine going back a quarter of a century appears to terminally ill with stomach cancer. She is a three time cancer survivor. She went into Plano General Hospital for a procedure and they discovered a myriad of malignant tumors that are, fortunately, not rapidly expanding. They just sewed her back up and told her it was beyond their expertise and put her chances of survival at five percent.
They referred her to to M. D. Anderson in Houston, one of the top oncology hospitals in the US, where she had been successfully treated before. I will drive her down there for a July 31 appointment and stay as long as needed. Fortunately, I have my closest group of friends, my family by choice, down there so I will have a place to stay and help me through this.
I will also drive out to see her her tomorrow and spend a couple of days with her for some giggles and grins as best that we can. Her attitude is wonderful but I can tell that she is dealing with it all being the last dance.
Thanks to all of you in advance for your compassion, empathy, and understanding.
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| Your Prayers and Affirmations Would Be Greatly Appreciated |
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hopon
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Jul 20 @ 5:14PM
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My prayers will be with her, and you for a safe trip.
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NightOfOld
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Jul 20 @ 5:15PM
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Bruce she will be at the top of my prayer list my friend.
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NightOfOld
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Jul 20 @ 5:16PM
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Be safe and take care of you too my friend.
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Sunshine79
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Jul 20 @ 5:53PM
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My thoughs, prayers and well wishes sent her way...Drive safe!
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Wordsofwit
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Jul 20 @ 5:55PM
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This will be a rough one because we both know where this one is heading. As my late AMD buddy Don, (dridge) said, "The expiration date is moving up." She is a sweet woman and one of only two ex lovers that didn't throw our friendship into the attic when she found and S/O. They had to accept me and and trust her. I always respected and treasured that.
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manwithoutahorse
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Jul 20 @ 6:04PM
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My prayers are with you both. Remember that miracles do happen. In fact, sometimes finding a true friend is a miracle in itself. Safe journey.
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cottoncandydragon
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Jul 20 @ 6:19PM
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My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
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Ewe_Wish
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Jul 20 @ 7:08PM
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Bruce.......you and your friend will be in my thoughts and prayers.....stay strong and be grateful for the time you have had together and the time you have left......
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DesertSmile
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Jul 20 @ 7:36PM
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Bruce,
Your friend is indeed lucky to have someone like you at her side. As you say this will not be an easy transition but I firmly believe the love of those close to you makes all the difference.
Keep her smiling.
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ABrownEyedScorpio
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Jul 20 @ 8:08PM
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Bruce,
She is indeed lucky to have you as a friend. Just continue to be strong for her and give yourself a break, too.
Many continuing hugs and prayers.
ABES 
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sugarnspice005
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Jul 20 @ 8:28PM
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Geez!!!! I'm so sorry!! Of course you and your friend will be in my thoughts and prayers.
I'm wishing you both the best! 
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msvoluptuos
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Jul 20 @ 8:41PM
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I will keep you both in my prayers!
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StraddleMyNose
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Jul 20 @ 9:18PM
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I hate to hear this, Bruce. My thoughts and prayers sent her way.
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ThePurpleProphet
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Jul 20 @ 9:36PM
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You got my prayers coming to both you and your friend, Bruce.
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redbronze
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Jul 20 @ 10:10PM
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Hugs and well wishes for both your trip and hers. Life is a journey we never know really where it is going to take us, one philosopher said we are dead already the day we are concieved or born so take each breath now like it is your last and live in the moment. Now is her moment let her laugh, cry and dance where her feet take her. All of us knowing that this to may well be our last breath on this place we call Earth.
For those of you out there in cyber land Elizabeth Kubier-Ross' book "On Death and Dying" is perhaps one of the best places to look for this last journey in what we all call life I read it when very young perhaps 19 when my own daughter had just died. It helped me live life and know that the stages that one goes through, are real and that these things can be used in all aspects of life. Hugs and well wishes..
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alybai42
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Jul 20 @ 10:13PM
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You have my thoughts and prayer's...
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Wordsofwit
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Jul 20 @ 10:24PM
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I thank you all very kindly for your generosity and grace. I expected such a kind affirmation from wonderful people. I have processed all of this and figured out where we should go from here in knowing her, and will share. I won't go too far but, sadly, it is the last dance and we have 11 days. We had discussed doing many things together. Money and time is not an obstacle anymore, We will go forth guns blazing in exploring life full throttle, in the next 11 days. We had talked about doing things for years but it didn't come together. It will now. After that, I anticipate returning home alone :)
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Wordsofwit
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Jul 20 @ 10:41PM
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In the nineties, she was always the "sister" and never got to go out and participate in what "girlfriends" did. That will change now.
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soft_touch938
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Jul 21 @ 12:55AM
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Aw Bruce....I'm so sorry! I'm a little late in reading this blog but know my prayers are with you both. Yes, make the best of your days together. When you come home you won't be totally alone...you will have alot of beautiful memories to keep you company for the rest of your life. As time passes, they will become more and more precious.
Hugs to you and prayers for a safe trip.
Softie
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lunanegra
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Jul 21 @ 1:47AM
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Sorry I'm late to this,and I'm not good with condolences or anything,but its nice to have a companion at your side when you need it the most and I'm glad you're going out to be with her.That's a mark of true friendship if I ever seen one.
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onehornytoad69
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Jul 21 @ 2:53AM
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God Bless, my thoughts and Prayers are with you and your Friend!!!
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southerngent64
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Jul 21 @ 6:27AM
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I'm going to echo what everyone else has said.
It's a sad situation, especially since she's beaten cancer 3 times before. She's extremely lucky to have you as a friend.
Enjoy the trip and the time you two have together. We'll be thinking about you.
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Wordsofwit
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Jul 21 @ 7:02AM
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Thank you all very kindly. I am a bit lost for words at the moment. But after too much vodka, I still woke up at 3:30 in that strange condition of being a bit hung over yet straight at a rifle shot. Very intense and keyed up. By your leave I will channel my thoughts and reply via a blog a bit later. We often say not now, maybe later, etc. in doing things with those close to us by taking life for granted. Always a fucking excuse, rarely a reason. Often we belatedly come to realize that time waits for no one.
TIME WAITS FOR NO ONE
(M. Jagger/K. Richards)
Yes, star crossed in pleasure the stream flows on by
Yes, as we're sated in leisure, we watch it fly
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
Time can tear down a building or destroy a woman's face
Hours are like diamonds, don't let them waste
Time waits for no one, no favours has he
Time waits for no one, and he won't wait for me
Men, they build towers to their passing yes, to their fame everlasting
Here he comes chopping and reaping, hear him laugh at their cheating
And time waits for no man, and it won't wait for me
Yes, time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
Drink in your summer, gather your corn
The dreams of the night time will vanish by dawn
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
And time waits for no one, and it won't wait for me
No no no, not for me....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4YlW2ix3zo
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mrknowuwell
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Jul 21 @ 9:31AM
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i have plenty of well wishes left over.......be glad to lend em out 
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enchanted50
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Jul 21 @ 10:17PM
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I think one of the gifts of aging is learning to be there for the dying. Young, we fear it so much we don't know what to do but put on a pretend face that all things will be okay. Unfortunately, life tells us again and again...it doesn't all work out okay. That is...until we learn for ourselves that it isn't about how it 'all works out,' but rather it is about the moments of the journey, the surrender, the learning of awe and humility in the face of being overwhelmed, overpowered, and reminded that we pass through here as if in a dream...
You have been given a gift to spend such sacred time with another. That the two of you already see the value of spending great moments together in the time of passage, that is a most profound gift. Stay sensitive to change, and that plans from moment to moment might need to be surrendered as her condition defines her comfort and capacity. Don't be too sensitive, and treat her as if a china doll. She is a person trying to live to the last...live with her, and resist the desire to overprotect.
I am sorry to hear of her dance card being full. I have a couple such friends who have been a part of my journey for decades. I have a sense of how it would feel to learn one of their journeys is nearing an end. Best to the two of you in this affirming expression...
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