Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A friend in need


A friend stopped me in the store the other day, I could tell he was upset.  “Bill,” he began,”I'm going to need your help.  I'm dealing with a prostate issue now, and I know what you went through.”  To be honest, I went through very little.
I asked if he had had an biopsy, and he told me he had not, but that was the next step.  So I told him to give me a call with any questions about the biopsy before the procedure, or to call me once he has the results if they find anything.
My friend has significant challenges, unrelated to his prostate issue, I did not face at the time of my experience.  Should he find himself without someone available to be with him at the time he returns for the biopsy results...I can be with him.  Should he find himself in need of treatment without someone to assist with transportation...I can be with him.  Should he need someone to assist with physical activities during recovery...I can be with him.
But what he said to me was, “I'm going to need help getting through this mentally if it proves to be anything of consequence.”  And I can be with him there as well.
Today, a diagnosis of prostate cancer, even an aggressive prostate cancer, is not a death sentence.  New treatments are being developed regularly...many with very encouraging results.  But my friend is correct, there is a huge mental component to illness that cannot be ignored...and having a strong support network is imperative to a successful outcome.

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