I'm worried about my friend, she has a CT? scan tomorrow

[Flllightattendant]

She has been treated for Ovarian cancer since last year. She has had chemo and seems to be holding up quite well, however she has a chest infection that doesn't seem to be shifting and I am just terrified that it will be something else

She won't find out the result tomorrow, but we may be seeing her tomorrow afterwards or Friday... how on earth can I help, I do not want to say the wrong thing, I just feel so rotten for her.

Has anyone been through this? I could use some advice on what would make a good friend at this point.

Thankyou

Hi Flightattendant, sorry to hear your friend is going through all this, but your concern to do the right thing shows she has a great friend in you.

I went through cancer 10 years ago. What really helped was friends being open about their worries for me, and being positive also and not looking like they were planning my funeral, and most of all, allowing me to talk about my own fears. So don't worry about saying the wrong thing, but try not to look as if you're afraid of the worst - lots of people survive these days. And make sure you keep in regular touch. Those friends who really proved their worth to me, were those who called up regularly when they knew i was expecting results, or after I'd had chemo, to see how I was, or who volunteered to babysit etc when I was low. Those who kept away, for whatever reason, are not particularly close friends of mine any more.

As for the chest infection, her resistance to infections will be low at the moment, due to the chemo she had last year which attacks the immune system, so she may find it takes longer to recover from colds. If it's not shifting, ask her if she's seen the doctor for some antibiotics.

Really hope things go well for her - let us know.

Thankyou Tanee, what a brilliant post. I am glad of your openness in sharing that with me, it will guide me well I think - I was keeping away a bit because I kept feeling like I messed up, but we are closer again now.

I'm glad it isn't necessarily bad news on the chest infection front.