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Hope

As we speak, my best friend Max, who is 18, is being kept asleep chemically after his first surgery and before his second one on wednesday. He has Osteocarcoma for the second time and surgery is his best option. The cancer is on his spine and pelvis, his biggest worry is the spine. His first treatment was chemo and a life times supply of radiation, this time the best hope is surgery. The hardest part is that we live in vermont but him and his family have moved down to boston and to the magical doctors of Mass. General. Not being able to be there for him is so frustrating and upsetting. I care more about him than pretty much anyone else. We wont know how the surgery affected him until thursday after the second surgery, and even then it might take up to three months for things in his body to start working again… or not. Having hope is key, telling myself when he gets better…. not if. I’m not a religious person, though i have taken up prying anyways, I am a strong believer in positive atitude and sending good vibes will help just as well. So if you are reading this maybe take the time and just think a happy good energy thought for max, or any other sick person in your life. We are the people who love them and they need us most.

January 23, 2012 by  
Filed under Friends and Family

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  • Leah Shearer

    I can feel the deep friendship and concern from this post. Max surely is lucky to have a friend like you. Being away from him has to be hard…with his treatment such a long ways away.

    We are often asked how do I help questions…and they are the best questions to get…because it means you get it. You get that being a good friend means learning to roll with the situation and adapt.

    I would say in an age of technology the answer to the distance might be easier than meets the eye. Email, facebook…and so many other social networking or video technologies (skype, facebook chat, facetime) allow you to interact with people in a much more front and center way.

    Does Max have any of those technologies? If not certainly phone calls help too.

    Also tell him about the network here…we’re here to help.

    Actually a lot of kids have been finding strength from the videos on our youtube channel.
    Our channel’s link is directly linked to this site with the tab on the right.

    My favorite video has to be the CHEMO song. It’s my favorite not just because it represents the experience of what its like to be a teen with cancer…but it’s also a funny and I think humor can lighten our load. That song is performed by our teen survivors who are all a part of our program here in Rochester.

    I hope as you look through you find that not only is Max not alone, but there are plenty of friends out there, just like you who want to do the right thing for their friend. Thank you for being that kind of friend.

    Have a great day!

    Leah Shearer
    TLC Program Coordinator
    Rochester, NY

  • Talia

    Hey there,
    I’m 18 years old to and my best friend spent the last her last year of school fighting cancer. She has had two surgeries and continuous chemo. She came out of the whole thing stronger and happier than ever. It has now been over 8 months and has got her life back on track and was looking forward to uni. Unfortunately she has just been diagnosed with cancer in her lungs. Everything has just gone out the door and the things are looking pretty grim. It’s so upsetting and frustrating that this can happen to such an amazing person. I know how hard it can be to a best friend. I can relate to your story so much. I often feel that no one understands how hard it is as no one has a friendship with this person like you do. What sucks the most is knowing that your friend is missing out on moments that should have been had. You sound like an amazing friend for Max. All my good vibes are being sent your way buddy. Hope you can the same for my friend :)

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