How to help friend with teen dc who is dying

[sosadformyfriend]

I have a mum friend, we live in the same village. She is a sweetheart I have known for about 10/11 years
Our kids went to primary together and we see each other around and about but her DC (an only) is at a diff secondary and diff year to my kids so we didn't even go to the pub together or anything. Not sure she had been to my house.

DC had had a sudden illness involving the brain and have had a text from her that there is nothing that can be done,

How can I help without intruding?

My heart is breaking for her

Do they have pets that might need feeding/walking if hospital stays are needed.

If she's letting people know, it may be that she wants to talk about it. I would definitely offer practical help. (Don't just say,"I'm happy to help with anything needed," but be specific eg. "I would like to bring you some food at x time.") It also may be she needs to talk about it with as many people as possible in order to process it. I'm sure she'll be extremely up and down so just go with the flow with no expectations.

Also note, she will probably be inundated with offers now but in 6 months they will wear off.

Thank you for replies
I am not super close to her and so don't like to intrude and def don't want her to be texting me when she should/could be with dc
She is such a lovely person: they are a lovely family
It's devastating, and yet the world keeps turning.
I will take her some food next week
Someone else is doing pets

Bump for the evening crowd

My friend lost her beloved child 4 years after being diagnosed. Its diabolical. I would second practical help, food, accomodation, childcare, anything at all that will help her. Actually just bring food over and take it from there. You can't say the perfect thing to take away her pain, however under no circumstances ever say anything along the lines of everything happens for a reason or anything similar. Follow your friends lead, be there to talk too.

Leave some daffodils on her doorstep and a card saying you would like to help regularly each week and ask if you can bring some home made dinners for her freezer around on Tues evening next week for example and would that suit her? If not when? Or would she prefer you to take a load of bed linen and launder and return it or both? Be very specific in other words rather than a vague “happy to help” but leave the door open for her to suggest some other ways of helping.