My best friend Nina is visiting me on a rainy Sunday afternoon. I’ve just returned from chemo, and we're both 17 years old, sipping tea as the rain taps against the window. Nina chats about boys, high school, and parties, while I listen closely, struggling to contribute much to the conversation. My life is currently consumed by chemo and Ewing’s sarcoma.
“I’m glad you’ve got cancer,” Nina says suddenly.
“What?”
I’m taken aback. Did she really just say that? I’m unsure if I should feel angry or sad.
“I’m glad you’ve got cancer,” she repeats. “I don’t think any of the rest of us girls would be strong enough to go through the hell you’re experiencing right now.”
I’m silent. Wow. She really did say that!
Supporting a Best Friend with Cancer: Strength Beyond Expectations
Nina is incredibly smart. After high school, she pursued Organizational Psychology and built a career analyzing people’s behavior in professional settings. I admire her insights and people skills, often seeking her advice. But that rainy Sunday 15 years ago, she was mistaken. I don’t believe I was the only one in our group of friends strong enough to battle cancer. Many of us are more resilient than we realize. Our understanding of our own strength is often based on past achievements. If you’ve climbed a mountain or run a marathon, you know you can do it again. But what happens when you face something for the first time?
We must be stronger than our toughest challenge.
Cheering on Your Best Friend Through Cancer
Before cancer, I had never faced real danger. Like many people, I had encountered both good and bad experiences, but nothing as life-threatening as cancer. To survive Ewing’s sarcoma, I needed to believe in my ability to endure. I had to dig deep for inner strength, a reserve of willpower I hadn’t previously tapped into.
That rainy Sunday 16 years ago, Nina saw in me a determination to live. But she overlooked her own role. As my best friend, she was crucial in my journey. Along with the rest of my friends and family, Nina was the cheerleader who never stopped cheering. Because my best friend never stopped believing in me, I never stopped believing in myself. This unwavering support gave me the strength to fight and eventually overcome cancer. Willpower alone couldn’t cure the disease, but it was essential in enduring the chemo that did.
That’s how you support a best friend through cancer. Regardless of age or diagnosis, you cheer them on, stay honest, and be there on those rainy days!