Please say a prayer for my best friend

gsg
gsg Member Posts: 3,386

She is in the very end stage of pancreatic cancer.   Everything is shutting down now.  While only God knows for sure when her suffering will end, from the physical signs, she doesn't have much time left....we think perhaps days.  Pancreatic cancer is an especially painful and vicious disease.  She is now spending her days vomiting (although no longer eating) and in extreme pain.  Please, if you are a person who prays, say a prayer for Linda that they get her pain and vomiting under control and that she leaves us peacefully.  Linda is 52, a single mother, leaving a 16-year-old daughter.  Thank you for your prayers.

Comments

  • kbugmom
    kbugmom Member Posts: 15,189
    edited August 2008

    GSG I am so sorry for what Linda is going thru and her daughter. Thank God she has a praying friend like you.

    Dear Merciful Heavenly Father I ask that you touch Linda and ease her pain and suffering . Bless her daughter in a special way also. Thank you that they have gsg as there friend. AMEN

  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited August 2008

    Thank you, kbugmom.  Your prayer is very much appreciated.  Linda is so gracious and has yet to complain about her suffering and it truly is immeasurable.  About a month or so ago, they said she may not make it through the night and as her blood pressure was dropping and she felt her eyes rolling back in her head, she told me a woman in a blue cloak came up behind her and wrapped her arms and cloak around her.  She immediately felt comforted and told me she thinks it was Mary.  I am now begging Mary to wrap Linda in her arms and comfort her.  Linda also told me she could sense an angel standing in the corner of her room.  She ended up pulling through that crisis, but her visions have comforted both of us.  We know without a doubt that there is life after this one and that angels will help us over to the other side.

  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited August 2008

    Oh, gsg......... what an incredible friend you are to Linda and her daughter. What a treasure for Linda to have experienced comfort and to have an absolute trust in wholeness ahead. I'm sure that must bring some measure of comfort to her daughter in these horrific hours.

    Dear Compassionate Creator. We gather here together around friends who are offering sustenance and support to one another. Please pour your mercy upon GSG's friend Linda in the midst of her suffering and pain. Please bind her to your marvelous power and plan. Wipe away any anxiety and fear that she might feel. Send your angels to console her. Be with her daughter throughout this time of uncertainty and unknowns. Give mother and daughter precious moments and memories to be treasured. Allow their exchanges to be meaningful. Visit your healing powers in the midst of this passage. Bind up GSG as she relinquishes her friend to your ultimate care.

    Thank you for Linda's experience of comfort and the visions she has of being held in your tender care.

  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited August 2008

    Beautiful prayer, Faith!  Thank you so much.

  • TenderIsOurMight
    TenderIsOurMight Member Posts: 4,493
    edited August 2008
    A Prayer for Linda 
     
    May heaven's gates open wide dear Linda
    May your soul rise lightly as a cloud
    May the Angels greet your presence
    With sweet sounds of hymns sang outloud
     
    May you be no further troubled
    By our bodies painful ways
    May your family rest undoubted
    That you're now in His presence's praise
     
    Gsg will miss you mightily
    As best friends are known to do
    May she find comfort you're with the Almighty
    Yet will always remain a friend to you.
     
    Peace and Comfort from us all,
    Tender 
      
  • wishiwere
    wishiwere Member Posts: 3,793
    edited August 2008

    {{{{{{Gsg}}}}} Dear, I am soooooooo sorry you are going through this, but so thankful that Linda and her daughter have you to share this final journey.  Kbugmom, Faith and Tender, thank you so much for those prayers.  I prayed them as I read them, as you ladies have such wonderful way with prayers! 

    Gsg....holding you close dear friend while you go through this with linda and her dd.  I'm so sorry this dreaded disease is taken yet another young mother from her child! :(

  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited August 2008

    Thank you, Tender and Wish, for your words.  Tender, your prayer is absolutely beautiful and, like Wish, I prayed along as I read all of them.

    Linda is still hanging on....I actually talked to her on Saturday.  It is astounding to me.  She stopped eating about a week ago, I think...and she is the one who answered the phone when I called.  I wish I could be there with her, but that is not in the cards.  There is lots of family at her house and I live a 2 1/2-hour flight away.  They don't need one more person in the house.  I know what it is like to take care of someone who is at the end of their life.  I did it last year with my stepfather.  It would be too much if I was there.  So I have made peace with the fact that last November was our last time together.  It's what has to be.  Our last day together we were snowed in alone at her house, had old old movies from the 1940s and '50s on and watched the snow come down as I rubbed her feet.  We were in the same kindergarten class.  She's always been a part of my life and always will be.

    Thank you again for your beautiful thoughts and prayers. 

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited August 2008

    Praying for you, Linda and her family, G...

  • ophelia
    ophelia Member Posts: 337
    edited August 2008

    GSG, I have great faith that the blessed virgin intercedes on our behalf.  I will say a prayer to our Lady of Fatima for her tonight.  God bless...

  • kerry_lamb
    kerry_lamb Member Posts: 778
    edited August 2008

    Our Lady of Perpetual Help, see the suffering of this courageous woman and take her to Heaven to rest in glory with you. She is a brave mother, as you were. Her last thought will be for her child, as yours was. Ease her into that perfect peace, and comfort her loved ones through their loss.. Amen.

  • Jule
    Jule Member Posts: 250
    edited August 2008

    (((GSG)))) Hugs to you and to Linda and her family. When my sister was dying and suffering...my mom told her that it was okay to let go, and that everyone would be okay. That our family would look after her son and that we all loved her. She passed on within 15 minutes. Perhaps she just needs to hear the words. I hope that all can help her move forward. 

    I firmly believe that she is getting support from her angel(s) who will help her guide her own way. May you all be blessed with peace during this time.  

  • irishdreama
    irishdreama Member Posts: 938
    edited August 2008

    Gsg-My ten year old and I pray every night. We will definately say a special prayer for Linda and her daughter. My heart goes out to them and their family and friends as well. Jeri

  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited August 2008

    Thanks so much for all the beautiful words.  Linda is still with us.  I can't believe it.  She has everything done...all loose ends are tied up.  She knows her daughter  will be cared for, but she is still having a hard time letting go.  She is not afraid of death...she just can't bear to leave her daughter.  I know that's what it is.   I don't know how much longer her body can go on like this. 

    When we were caring for my stepfather last year, he didn't die until we finally hired someone to come in and sit with him overnight so we could get some sleep.  She was only in the room with him alone for 10 to 15 minutes when he slipped away.

    Linda's case is completely different and I'm not sure what any of us can do to help her let go.  She's been reassured by everybody...except for her daughter who is having just as hard a time letting go and I don't know if she will ever be brought to the point where she will tell Linda it's okay to leave.  She's been very angry throughout Linda's illness and in counseling, but still remains angry.

    Maybe we should pray that her daughter will see it in her heart to let go of her mother first...so Linda will let go. 

  • AnnNYC
    AnnNYC Member Posts: 4,484
    edited August 2008

    Patrice, my prayers are with you, Linda and her daughter.

    Linda's experience of Mary brings to mind one of my favorite prayers, the Memorare:

    "Remember oh most gracious virgin Mary
    that never was it known
    that anyone who fled to thy protection,
    implored thy help,
    or sought thine intercession
    was left unaided.

    Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, 
    oh Virgin of virgins, my mother;
    to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
    O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
    but in thy mercy hear and answer me.

    Amen"

  • LisaSDCA
    LisaSDCA Member Posts: 2,230
    edited August 2008

    Patrice - I am so sorry Linda is having this difficult parting. It is so tough to let your momma go - and I cannot even bear to think of leaving my baby before she could say goodbye. I hope her daughter soon finds that peaceful place beyond anger.

    God, please help Linda's daughter find a way to see past her anger. You are a big enough God to take the blame for this horrid disease and still grant comfort, Help her to see the ease there will be in her mother's peace and rest. Enfold both of these suffering women, mother and child, in Your loving arms.

  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited August 2008

    Ann and Lisa.  I'm moved beyond words....just tears.  Thank you.

  • faithandfifty
    faithandfifty Member Posts: 10,007
    edited August 2008

    Dear God, we are all your children -- even when we are mothers and grandmothers, or even great-grandmothers.... we come to you as children. Be with Linda and her daughter at this climactic time. Bring peace into both hearts. Peace beyond our human understanding. Hold these dear daughters close in these final moments of togetherness.

    I ask that you grant strength and wisdom, beyond her years to this struggling daughter. Give her insight from heaven to trust in your grace and plan -- that makes no sense what-so-ever in the mind of a fearful, angry, grieving teenager. Comfort her with the angels presence in such a way that she is able to part from her mother's presence.

    Hold all in this story in your healing grace and light.

    xx00xx00xx00xx00xx00xx00xx

    "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."    --Romans 12:15

  • footprintsangel
    footprintsangel Member Posts: 43,890
    edited August 2008

    When I Die

    When I die sing no sad song for me, And cry no tears for you see, I will be with my loved ones in heaven you see and oh how happy I will be.

    Dear Lord, Please comfort Linda and help her known that you are standing beside and that she is never alone. Bless her family that they can be reminded you are there. And Lord like I have prayed many times its not my will, But thy will be done. I give it to you Amen  

  • HeatherThompson
    HeatherThompson Member Posts: 24
    edited August 2008

    GSG, My heart goes out to you, your friend, and her daughter. I could never imagine losing my best friend, been b/fs since fourth grade. I feel for her daughter, my grandparents raised my brother and I, he was diagnoised with cancer Nov. 30th and went home Dec. 13th, it had spread everywhere by the time they found it, so we have no clue where it started. It was hard to let go, but we did, my grandmother, aunt and myself along with hospice were holding his hands and talking to him when he went home. I hope Linda's daughter says good bye before Linda goes home, my mother and brother didn't get the chance, he passed away 5 minutes before they got to the house, and it still hurts them. My prayers are with all of you, I will have Gramsie, gmil, say a prayer to Mary on your behalf as well. Big hugs!

    Heather

  • spar2
    spar2 Member Posts: 6,827
    edited September 2008

    gsg, am so sorry about your friend and understand, I lost my best friend to breast cancer and now my best friend from high school was diagnosed with stage IV.  You just feel so helpless. You just have to pray for them and help them where and when you can.  I love ya gsg and hope the daughter can finally let her mom have peace.

  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited September 2008

    Thanks so much for the new posts and so many kind words and prayers.  Linda is still with us.  I'm hoping to get an update today on how things are there.  I haven't been calling as much as her family's hands are full...so I have to wait for updates from someone else who lives up there.  It's unbelievable to me that she is still hanging on.

    Spar:  I am so sorry about the loss of your friend and your other friend's diagnosis.  You are so right on the helpless feeling.  Losing a close friend leaves such a big hole in your life and heart.  It's horrible watching the suffering.  I lost another very dear friend to bc last November.  In fact, the morning after I arrived home from visiting Linda for the last time last year, I had to attend Pam's funeral.    She was 49.  Too, too young and deeply missed.

  • Hanna60978
    Hanna60978 Member Posts: 815
    edited December 2011
  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited September 2008

    Awww, Hanna, that was beautiful!  Thank you is such a small word...but thank you. 

    I just spoke to my girlfriend a few minutes ago...she is still fighting.  Our conversation was under a minute...she was going to take a nap and said she'd try calling later, but I can't imagine she'll be able to.   She is so tired.   The fact that she is still here I think is a testament to a mother's love...I know it can't go on much more, but she's outlived what the doctors said she would and with pancreatic cancer that's pretty amazing.

    Again, thank you.

  • kes
    kes Member Posts: 559
    edited September 2008

    gsg,

    My thoughts and prayers are with you, Linda and her family. One of my friends looked after his mother while she was in her last stages of cancer. She loved him soo much. She lasted for days and days. When he left the house to go and see his girlfriend for a short time she died. I think and so does he that she waited for him to leave the house before she died. She didn't want him to be there when she died. It was all just so sad. He was her golden boy and she didn't want to see him in pain. I know that you will be there for Linda's daughter. She will need you.

    Take Care,

    Kes

  • dalycity
    dalycity Member Posts: 248
    edited September 2008

    Dear GSG: I am so sorry about your dear friend. I am praying for her.  I hope she is comfortable and pain-free.  I am sending you and her a BIG hug. 

  • dreamwriter
    dreamwriter Member Posts: 3,255
    edited September 2008

    Thank you very much Dalycity.... we both appreciate it.  Spoke to Jacqueline this morning and she is finding it harder and harder to breath.  This is due to lung mets.  Any support would be welcome at this time for her and her hubby Bill.

Categories