She just left me a msg…her mom had surgery this morning and they found breast cancer…
Oh man…she’s got 3 other kids age 10-17 besides my girlfriend(20)…
She and I have known each other since age 11 so this is like as if my mom had the cancer…
You guys that are believers pray…
She needs it.
-SS 
How should I approach the mom and my friend.
The mom from what I’ve been told is extremely upset, but drugged and out of it.
My friend is an emotionla basketcase and she’s about 100 miles away in Waco at the moment…
I’ll likely see her tonight or tommorow…how careful should I be, what should I say or not say…should I just hold her, and let her cry or try to reassure her everything will be ok…
Whats my move here? I’ve never dealt with this so close before…
I need some female opinions or some from guys that have been there…
-SS
I will be praying for the whole family.
As for the best way to approach them the way you always have. But be ready to listen to them, people need to talk especially women, we work through things by talking them out. So just listen, don’t try to fix it, you can’t just listen and let them know you care. If you can do a small kindness or two once in a while, babysitting , running to the store ect… by all means do so.
Just be there.
You sound like a very caring person, and I’m sure you will give your friend and her family what they need.
I’ve been through this with my own father, and with the mother of a close friend… there’s no "right thing’ to do. Everyone deals with grief differently.
Be available (even at 2 am) be supportive…and educate yourself. You friend and her family are going to start speaking in very medical sounding terms very quickly (a side effect from over exposure to doctors). if you’re clueless in this area, do a little reading… It’s a small gesture, but one that I found incredibly thoughtful when a friend to the time to do it so that I could talk to him without explaining myself every third word.
My best wishes for everyone involved
My best friend’s mom was diagnosed with cancer about 6 years ago. She is still VERY much around, driving my best friend insane.
Don’t say anything. Don’t ask “What can I do for you?” Find out the things she has to do (mundane stuff, like get the car inspected, go food shopping, etc.) and do that for her. Make it very clear that you WANT to listen to her talk. Tell her that she doesn’t have to be strong around you. That are there to support HER. As the eldest child, she is going to get the brunt of the stress, I know from going through this with my friend. She’ll need to lean on someone, what with so many people leaning on her.
I have seen a lot of people close to me get diagnosed with cancer. The ones who honestly believe they will win often do. The ones who believe they are beaten are.
I think I’ll just show my face as often as possible and be the “shoulder” they need.
They are an extremely wealthy family so they’re will probably be another maid hired to do the extra work, and the dad’s a doctor so he can explain medical terms to me.
I’m a bit distraught myself…what should I do for support? I’m going to need it too, I’m at work fighting tears as it is…
-SS
Sky you will find that all of you will support each other, its just the way it works out. Just be yourself and let them know you are there. Its not a bad thing to shed tears, you are afterall, human.
Man Sky, you struck a major nerve here. I just went through this, and let me tell you something, stay strong. I started dating my girlfriend about two years ago right after my girlfriend’s mom was diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer. She was fine in the beginning, but after the Chemo wasn’t working things started to deteriorate. I’m not trying to scare you, but I’m just warning you.
Long story short, her mom passed away four days before this past Christmas, and her funeral was on Christmas Eve. For what it’s worth, and in my opinion, you’re coming up on the hardest part of the journey. Just be supportive of your friend. Try not to get her hopes up, but don’t act like all is lost. Warning. Her attitude might change greatly, and she may take her anger out on you because you’re there, but try not to take it personally. Remember that while you’re going through something difficult as well, it’s exponentially worse for her. Be strong. It’s obviously OK to show emotions, but try and keep it to yourself.
Your relationship may change with her, but that’s OK because if her mom gets better you’ll go right back to where you were, but if her mom doesn’t get better rough seas are ahead, but the healing process will eventually begin. It just takes time.
I’m really sorry man. I’ll be thinking about you. Try and keep your wits about because she’s going to need you. Good luck.
Jason
talk with your friend and her family… talk to your family… or if need be, talk to me, or anyone else here.
Everyone on this borad seems more then ready to help.
You are not alone