My friend is dying. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few weeks ago. Less than 5% of patients with that diagnosis survive the first year, and hers is quite advanced. She has refused treatment - there is so little they can do, and it would make her feel worse than she does now.
It is entirely unfair. She is an angel - I have never seen her anything but cheerful and loving. In her spare time she holds bible study meetings at the women's prison. When I moved out on my own she continually praised my strength - for living on my own, for being so far from my family, for leaving my life behind and starting a new one in a strange place. She once made blueberry muffins for me just because her niece told her they were my favorite. I can't imagine anyone less deserving of something so awful.
She came to visit. She hugged me tight and said "I guess you've heard some rumors about me." I said I had and she said "Well I'm sorry to say they're true. I wish they weren't, but they are." It was all I could do not to cry. I said "You know, we've all talked about it, and we decided you're pretty much the best woman we've ever met," and she just touched my face and called me ornery. This is just her way - she's dying and her concern is comforting others.
