friends

So, all friends are told now.  There are a few who won't know yet like Mums from school who are still on holiday but that's it.

Family, L,  Northwich girls, V&A, Msg pals, pal pals and that's it.

I wondered why I was telling people and I figured if this was happening to anyone of the people I've told (and it has happened to some of them like Steph's little girl getting leukemia), then I would really like to know so that I could support them and help in any way I could or at the very least show them that I care, and I would just like to know in any case.  I would be well pissed off if any of them went through this and didn't tell me - be warned!

One of my friends came round with a bottle of wine unannounced, so surprising and kind.

Some people have already said, what can I do?  I fully support you.  I think people sometimes need to know how to support, my sis A wailed 'what can I do from here?'.  There are various suggestions on the internet as to how people can help in a focused way so they feel they can contribute and I've personalised them for me:-

Send me text messages
Send me a postcard when you think of me
Send me emails of support but don't be hurt if I don't reply for the moment
Lend me old trashy paperbacks or magazines that I can read if it gets boring
Bring meals for my family and I, especially when I'm in hospital
Look after my kids when I have appointments and be nice to them or just ask them for playdates
Take my ironing basket away and bring it back ironed
Send small, small gifts for my kids
Buy me a not expensive Décleor or aromatherapy or a product that smells nice or relaxes me or a small scented candle or bring me a bunch of bananas or a bag of apples or those M&S nut selections
Come round and give me a manicure
Talk to me
Listen to me
Lend me DVDs (boxed sets in English welcomed!)
Ply me with wine whilst I'm still allowed to drink
Share others' experiences that make me feel better
Be yourself

Don't send me flowers please  - I'm not dead, yet.

Basically it just matters that you are there and you care my friends.  Many of you have carried me this far already.  Thanks.