Even though we'd gotten little sleep we were up with the dawn as she had to head out for her book signing up north and the last thing I remember was her jaunty wave with a "Love you!" as she drove off, fearless, into the crazy Chicago traffic towing a Bright Aqua Retro Camper behind an extended cab, long bed farm pickup truck.
Unfortunately, when she got home, further testing has revealed she has just weeks to live. Lyn is a Christian and knows where she is headed and is at peace but one thing was troubling her.
She had a new book in progress (through a traditional publisher) but it is a few chapters shy of being finished and she is unsure if she can at this point as her strength is quickly leaving her. She asked me to co-author it so I can write the last few chapters and then can take over coordinating the editing and publication with her publisher if she is gone at that time. All the sales are going to an animal rescue in Iowa, where she lives on a farm and payment of the royalties has been set up already.
She has published with this publisher before and they are very supportive of whatever it takes to get it into print. It's a book about rescue Beagles, intended for young adult to adult readers, a short book with photos.
I am honored she asked me but with a very busy work schedule (federal end of the fiscal year), I probably won't have time for any new blog posts for a couple of weeks.
I'll be on Facebook (it's non-shooty stuff but there are recipes) and will see you all back here in just a few chapters. As always prayers for her are welcome. LB "Brigid" Johnson
I'm sorry to hear the bad news about your friend. I hope she finds comfort and peace in her final days.
ReplyDeleteYou do what's needfull, and we'll be here when you get back. May God bless the work, and give you energy & time for all that you must do.
ReplyDeleteSo sad, being there for your friend is the best thing at this time. We'll be patiently waiting for your return
ReplyDeleteBless you, Brigid.
ReplyDeleteI pray she has a very peaceful passing.
Prayers her transition is painless, or as painless as it can be. Prayers for you also.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for your friend and for you ... yes, it's small comfort but know that anonymous people recognize the pain you are experiencing; many of us have personally shared the loss.
ReplyDeleteAll that you can do is to "Be There" for your friend/loved one.
You cannot heal them. You cannot "make it better". You cannot ease the pain. You can "Share" the pain, but that is a false premise.
All you can do is observe, and try to make them feel as comfortable as your poor resources allow. And it will not make a whit of difference, will not alleviate the pain.
Whatever you do, your loved one will eventually resent you. You are living; they are dying. They may lash out at you. The words are: "It's easy for you, you aren't dying!".
If you haven't heard it yet .. you will eventually. And they're right.
You must accept their pain, which is excruciating.
You must ignore the accusations ("It's easy for you!")
Cancer is perhaps the mos excruciatingly difficult way to die. It lats for a lifetime, literally. And it makes demons of its victims.
As a loved one, all you can do is just ... be there. Literally. Your presence serves two purposes:
. you can be a comfort to your cancer victim by providing such comfort as possible .. they won't want to eat, but you can cook their favorite foods.
Cancer patients typically suicide by refusing to eat. It may be small comfort, but anything you do which gives them pleasure is a gift.
Side note: I know these things, because I watched my darling die by inches, and the best thing I could do for her was whatever gave her comfort .. she eventually died by starvation, but not because I didn't offer her as much comfort as she was willing to accept.
Her choice, not mine. I can only imagine the pain. She wanted to die ... I wanted her to live. I was selfish, and full of hope when there was no hope. I loved her, and wanted her to live; she just wanted to die, and stop the pain.
O Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray to You for Your servant whose sickness is bringing her to the end of her earthly life. You are the God whose only-begotten Son taught us that not even the smallest sparrow can fall without Your knowledge, and that You hold all creation in Your merciful arms. Look upon Your servant and allow this illness to be for the death only of those things which are the result of evil and sin. Let her thoughts be quieted with the peace and confidence of her final deliverance into the fullness of Your love. Keep her soul and body pure, and sanctify them during the time she remains among us, that on the last day she may be raised up with all Your saints to live with You in neverending glory. For to You belong praise and worship, to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
ReplyDeleteYour friend chose wisely when she asked you to help with her book. My Childhood Beagle MItzi is smiling down on you.
ReplyDeleteHer situation is tragic, but the experience you two will share will be positive. Enjoy that journey.
Thank you my friends for your kind words and prayers. I will try and be a good friend in her end days.
ReplyDeleteYou are a good friend Miss. I know you will do good work. Prayers up for your friend. We will keep the fires lit.
ReplyDeleteDamn. You go girl. We'll be patiently waiting here, no matter how long it takes.
ReplyDeleteMy wife just passed from cancer the end of May, so I know how it feels to sit on the sidelines - totally helpless. I brought her home for the last week of her life, against the DRs wishes, but it was her wish to go home. Toward the end we were giving her hourly doses of morphine, so at least she wasn't suffering. All you can do is be there, so she knows she isn't alone. God bless you for being such a good friend
ReplyDeleteCancer took both my wife's parents; her father in his 70's and her mother at 56. A nasty way to die. May God fortify your friend, her family and you. You must be a pretty trustworthy friend for her to entrust her book to you.
ReplyDelete"A Friend Loves At All Times" We all aspire to be that kind of friend B.J....you are a true friend. God Bless!
ReplyDelete