Saying goodbye to a dear friend

[OudAndRose]

Hi everyone, my lovely friend of many years is at the end of a long and arduous battle with cancer. I don't want to give more details for her privacy's sake, but wondered if anyone who has had to say goodbye to a friend in this way has any advice for me before I go and see her for the last time? She's been like a sister to me and this is devastating.

I'm sorry op. A lifetime friend died last year. I'd call them or text as usual. I told them they they didn't have to respond to me, they did most of the time. I was lucky enough to spend some time with them face to facebefore they died. Have been in touch with the family since. Love to you both x

Hiya,

my best friend (37) died of cancer last year 12 weeks after diagnosis she left behind 3 young children.

she was told she had maybe 2 years but died very suddenly, I would have loved one more chat with her.

I would have told her how much I loved her and thank her for showing me what true friendship was. Then we would have probably cried and made inappropriate jokes because that was just us 💔

im so sorry you are losing her it is truly heartbreaking I know xxx

I have recently gone through this. I told her I loved her and talked about our good times, every time I saw her until she went. I am beyond broken, as I miss her so much.
I am so sorry that your friend and you and all others that love her are going through this.

Thank you all. I am a bit shocked tonight as it sinks in and it's a bit hard to reply more fully, but I really appreciate these replies and they will help me to prepare to say goodbye tomorrow.

My best friend died about 14 years ago now. A late cancer diagnosis. I went to meet up with her knowing it might be the last timel. They asked me to look out for their 2 DC as they'd only have their Dad left . We both cried and I was in pieces.

I'm so sorry. If she has children or parents I think she'd really appreciate you reassuring her you'll always be there for them. 💐

Not cancer, but my best friend died 25 years ago now. She had been poorly in hospital for a month or so, with a long term condition, which we never imagined would end with her dying.
i wish the last time I’d seen her I’d told her how much I love her, how important she’d been in my life and how I would never forget her or all the times we’d shared. When she died my fear was I’d forget all those times only me and her had shared and I’d have nobody to ask what happened. I can promise you, I’ve never forgotten anything. I’m sitting here now in tears reliving the moment her sister rang me and said she wasn’t going to leave hospital and it was a matter of time.
She will live on in your life forever. Make sure she knows that,

Thank you, this is exactly the kind of direct advice I was hoping for. I don't know how well she can communicate but I am going to write her a card telling her how much I love her and how much her friendship has meant to me over the years. She does has family that she will be leaving behind and I will also tell her that I will always be here for them.

My close friend died 2wks ago, 10wks after diagnosis with lung cancer. I sat with her for hours every day in the last 10 days, everytime I left I said I love you. In the end I made it 5mins after she passed, and was able to say a proper goodbye then. It was all so hard. Made easier in some ways as her brain was affected so although she did understand she couldn’t have any treatment, she wasn’t fully with it from the time of diagnosis. We had some difficult conversations though. I thanked her for being such an amazing friend. Sending lots of love. Losing a close friend is tough.

Thank you @Zanatdy. I'm so sorry for your loss - you sound like a wonderful friend

Do all the emotional things upfront. Have a good cry together. Whilst they are able send random texts. Fun things. Normal things. Just be normal. And then walk away. It’s easier if you pretend you’ll see them again (I found)

Thank you so much