Sarah Young has some very well written Christian devotion books. One of my favorites is Jesus Calling or Jesus Lives. They are short one page inspirational readings with bible verses to cross reference to. These books gave me strength to get through my heart surgery and complications all caused by carcinoid cancer. Your friend is so lucky to have you, she needs you now more than ever.

@mollie59 Thanks for your suggestion! Teresa

Dear Kateia::
You are a wonderful friend. It is so special when we have people in our lives like you.
Just knowing “you care” is a great gift to all of us!

Looking at the end of life has made me appreciate each day,one day at a time. My lung cancer diagnosis really became my blessing. However,I did not realize this on my own.

For me, I will always feel blessed to have been asked to be part of a “Paced Breathing” research study by Mayo Clinic -with Dr Amit Sood. There are now several books available written by Dr Sood. I have given out several 100 copies of “Happiness” as gifts. People really have loved the read.

At the brink of my life, I was afraid of dying. Hearing the words you have lung cancer was very scary and shocking! I was in denial.

The surgery to remove most of my left lung was extremely painful. My husband stood by my bed and told me to Breathe, Breathe, breathe!

I had never connected my mind and body and spirit to my death. I was afraid of dying more than the experiencing the joy of living. The lessons I learned in the study were life changing and I found true happiness. This makes people around me happy and less afraid of my dying.

Through the study, I took time to slowly breathe “in and out” and I learned to slow down and relax my “nervous system”, “mind and body”. The 15 minute dvd(now on my iPhone) has a calming voice that “talked to me” while breathing to relaxing symphonic tones! I practice this breathing several times a day!

With paced breathing, I am able to reconnect my mind, body and spirit. For me a life saving lesson.

I realized after learning to “breath new life again”, I became stronger mentally and I have happily accepted the fact, “No one gets out of here alive!”
I do not grieve my dying. I have let go of a lot.I am able to walk away from things that do not matter and feel good about rising above the the things I really cannot change. I’m living.

I will never forget the strength and love as of those who have stuck by my side through a very scary time.

I still thank my friends who so bravely “showed up” to support me, when some humans though they knew when would die!

Call it crazy, but it is comforting when my best friends and I giggle about dying. We are not being mean or insensitive...We all know we will meet again.

Give your friend a big hug for me & ask her to give you a hug back! You both are special. Thank you for sharing. Let’s stay Connected!
linda

I agree with the Sarah Young books. Often I hear the words I need to hear that day - highly recommend! And I agree with Mollie - your friend is lucky to have you!

Hi Linda - I love your response. I feel very much the same about facing death. Some people have a very hard time understanding how I can be so accepting. The way I look at it, we don't have a lot of options. We can either be freaked out and unhappy, or we can choose Happiness - I've already looked up Dr. Sood's book and will be on a search for it at the library of my local Mayo Clinic. Thank you for the suggestion!

@kateia. Thank you for persisting in relationship with your friend. Many herein have mentioned their loss when friends/relatives dissapear from their lives when they have cancer. Please do not underestimate the value to her of "being with", just adapting the pace and pattern of the last 2 years of your friendship, and staying in relationship. When I have done that, I have always been so blessed; I am certain I received more than I gave to my dieing friends. Now, to learn the corresponding role as i am the patient. Ah, gee, another Dang learning experience!