Sending you a great big hug!!!! You have been so supporting of everyone who is struggling. I have a friend who has stage 4 ovarian cancer and is not doing well right now. We have kept in contact by e-mail and plans are to visit her when her energy is up. It amazes me when people say that family deserts them when in crisis. Cancer doesn't change the person!! My friend is the same friend that I've had for over 40 years!! Even her appearance hasn't changed that much. She has helped me in my struggles more than I have helped her with hers!! Her faith in God has sustained her through this two year battle. She is a wonderful person and a dear friend!! Scott, keep on doing what you're doing!! You handle situations with great understanding and we know that we can lean on you for support at any time!!!

Thank you for the kind words, @kateia They mean a lot to me!

One positive thing coming out of my years of caregiving was my shoulders broadened, my listening skills improved, and I learned to not wait to reach out to anyone I knew who was struggling, especially when it is with a chronic illness.

I have often pondered the trait of empathy, wondering if it is a nature or nurture thing. I am beginning to believe it is more nature. I had two sisters. We grew up in the same home, same place, same folks. Our mom was very empathetic and being as it was the 1950s she was our role model as Dad was the typical '50s working dad. I have yet to find an empathetic bone in their bodies, while I do. I see hints of this in some friends too. Some of them will make mention of how I go out of my way to maintain a friendship, tell me they are very appreciative of it, but then often end with 'but I couldn't do what you do to keep our friendship going.' More and more I am heading to 'nature' as the source. It just seems to be there in some and not in others. Thankfully both our children got the 'gene', but with the awesome Mom they had I am not surprised! She cared about others to her final day! Sorry for the ramble, it is just something I think about often and your post reignited it in me a bit! Thank you for that too!

I will be here -- and keep on keeping on for sure! To me it is the best part of Connect 🙂

Courage, strength, & peace to all!

Krishh, what a wonderful way to express your feelings. I too believe there is a plan for us all. Some plans better that others deciding on how we live our lives. I am 84 and have two kinds of lung cancer that was found 1 1/2 years ago. First not able to believe something so bad that can't be cured. I have mesothelioma in my left lung. Not curable! So just have to live the best I can till I'm called. (shortshot80)

Hello Allison, @allisonsnow

I've been thinking about you. I know that earlier this month you had a number of tests and appointments. How are you doing?

Teresa

At an appointment with an oncology psychologist I was told that it was interesting to feel survivor's guilt when I wasn't even a survivor. I told my oncology nurses and they replied with a huge hug. They said I am living which means I am surviving.
I never went back to that psychologist.

Tried to teach our kids Empathy, Altruism, and Work Ethic. Thanks for sharing.

I would have liked your wife! Ventibug

@ventibug Personally I think that is the best thing we can do!

Cheers to you and your spouse!

I bet you would have @ventibug She was a pistol for sure! 100% full Italian, driven, loving, and an amazing partner who always had my back. She and I were about polar opposites. She was creative, an artist, and an entrepreneur who created a chain of five children's clothing stores and then reinvented herself as an accomplished interior designer. I don't have a creative bone in my body, can't draw in a coloring book, and always worked for large firms.

At the end of her life, when she was designing her Celebration of Life, she asked me to get a second sheet of paper. I did and asked why. She said it would be for the list of those folks she wanted me to invite to her Celebration. I said 'honey, these things are not usually done 'by invitation only' you know!' She responded with (pardon the language) 'Scott, I don't want someone in our living room blowing smoke up your a*s telling you how much they cared about me after I'm dead, when they didn't give a sh*t about me when I was alive'.

56 names. 54 attended (the only two who missed were overseas). She even picked the wine to be served. We drained 62 bottles that night!

Yes, I think you might have enjoyed her!

Strength, courage, and peace!

@IndianaScott Hi Scott. Your wife sounds like someone I would have loved to have had as a friend. We have interior design in common (and wine). Life can be so unfair when disease comes along and snatches away your dreams. Big Hug to you, Scott.