True Friends

[Nervous1]

So here are the characteristics of what I consider a true friend:

* Someone who treats me as a normal, healthy person when I'm feeling well

* Recognizes that there is no such thing as me making a 100% commitment to a trip, date, or any other activity, and doesn't get upset when I have to cancel or do something less strenuous

* Suggests something less taxing that will still enable us to get together when I'm not feeling well

* Understands that even when I'm feeling great I have to put aside 2-3 hours a day for treatments and exercise, so my time is limited and less flexible than other people

* Expresses an interest in understanding what I'm going through, rather than treating it as the elephant in the room

* Offers to help out with daily stuff when I'm wiped out for extended periods of time

* Doesn't give me gifts that require a sense of smell - since I can't smell anything

* Understands the fact that if I went to work and functioned all day, it doesn't necessarily mean I feel well and am up to doing other things. It just means I need to make a living!

* Doesn't panic when I have a bout of SOB (shortness of breath), but is supportive without asking questions which I obviously cannot answer at the moment!

 

[Nervous1]

So here are the characteristics of what I consider a true friend:

* Someone who treats me as a normal, healthy person when I'm feeling well

* Recognizes that there is no such thing as me making a 100% commitment to a trip, date, or any other activity, and doesn't get upset when I have to cancel or do something less strenuous

* Suggests something less taxing that will still enable us to get together when I'm not feeling well

* Understands that even when I'm feeling great I have to put aside 2-3 hours a day for treatments and exercise, so my time is limited and less flexible than other people

* Expresses an interest in understanding what I'm going through, rather than treating it as the elephant in the room

* Offers to help out with daily stuff when I'm wiped out for extended periods of time

* Doesn't give me gifts that require a sense of smell - since I can't smell anything

* Understands the fact that if I went to work and functioned all day, it doesn't necessarily mean I feel well and am up to doing other things. It just means I need to make a living!

* Doesn't panic when I have a bout of SOB (shortness of breath), but is supportive without asking questions which I obviously cannot answer at the moment!

 

[Nervous1]

So here are the characteristics of what I consider a true friend:
<br />
<br />* Someone who treats me as a normal, healthy person when I'm feeling well
<br />
<br />* Recognizes that there is no such thing as me making a 100% commitment to a trip, date, or any other activity, and doesn't get upset when I have to cancel or do something less strenuous
<br />
<br />* Suggests something less taxing that will still enable us to get together when I'm not feeling well
<br />
<br />* Understands that even when I'm feeling great I have to put aside 2-3 hours a day for treatments and exercise, so my time is limited and less flexible than other people
<br />
<br />* Expresses an interest in understanding what I'm going through, rather than treating it as the elephant in the room
<br />
<br />* Offers to help out with daily stuff when I'm wiped out for extended periods of time
<br />
<br />* Doesn't give me gifts that require a sense of smell - since I can't smell anything
<br />
<br />* Understands the fact that if I went to work and functioned all day, it doesn't necessarily mean I feel well and am up to doing other things. It just means I need to make a living!
<br />
<br />* Doesn't panic when I have a bout of SOB (shortness of breath), but is supportive without asking questions which I obviously cannot answer at the moment!

 

[JustDucky]

Amen to that! A good friend is all the above and more....I also think that a friend who calls you when you are at your lowest instead of avoiding you is awesome. They stick with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JustDucky]

Amen to that! A good friend is all the above and more....I also think that a friend who calls you when you are at your lowest instead of avoiding you is awesome. They stick with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[JustDucky]

Amen to that! A good friend is all the above and more....I also think that a friend who calls you when you are at your lowest instead of avoiding you is awesome. They stick with you through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
<br />
<br />Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[Nervous1]

Without a doubt!

I have been forcing myself to spend more time with people who meet these criteria even when I'm feeling well.

Investing too much time in "fair weather friends" when I'm feeling OK results in emotional pain in addition to the physical when I'm not.

 

[Nervous1]

Without a doubt!

I have been forcing myself to spend more time with people who meet these criteria even when I'm feeling well.

Investing too much time in "fair weather friends" when I'm feeling OK results in emotional pain in addition to the physical when I'm not.

 

[Nervous1]

Without a doubt!
<br />
<br />I have been forcing myself to spend more time with people who meet these criteria even when I'm feeling well.
<br />
<br />Investing too much time in "fair weather friends" when I'm feeling OK results in emotional pain in addition to the physical when I'm not.

 

[Lance2020x]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Nervous1</b></i>
* Expresses an interest in understanding what I'm going through, rather than treating it as the elephant in the room </end quote></div>

This is a big one for me.... all of my close friends obviously know, but in nearly 20 years not one has sat down to really make an effort to understand what I go through... in a way it's nice, because I get treated just like any other person, but sometimes you just need that understanding... Instead of just comments like "Hey man, you want a cigar?" "Um. No. Thank you." "Oh wait.... CAN you even have a cigar?" "Um. No." "Oh yeah... that sucks..."

 

[Lance2020x]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Nervous1</b></i>
* Expresses an interest in understanding what I'm going through, rather than treating it as the elephant in the room </end quote>

This is a big one for me.... all of my close friends obviously know, but in nearly 20 years not one has sat down to really make an effort to understand what I go through... in a way it's nice, because I get treated just like any other person, but sometimes you just need that understanding... Instead of just comments like "Hey man, you want a cigar?" "Um. No. Thank you." "Oh wait.... CAN you even have a cigar?" "Um. No." "Oh yeah... that sucks..."

 

[Lance2020x]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote><i>Originally posted by: <b>Nervous1</b></i>
<br />* Expresses an interest in understanding what I'm going through, rather than treating it as the elephant in the room </end quote>
<br />
<br />This is a big one for me.... all of my close friends obviously know, but in nearly 20 years not one has sat down to really make an effort to understand what I go through... in a way it's nice, because I get treated just like any other person, but sometimes you just need that understanding... Instead of just comments like "Hey man, you want a cigar?" "Um. No. Thank you." "Oh wait.... CAN you even have a cigar?" "Um. No." "Oh yeah... that sucks..."