Series 1 Episode 7

Angie was hanging out with her friend Carmen and in this episode of ‘Make New Friends and Keep the Old’, the girls talk about friends and serious illness. Carmen was Angie’s go to rock before and prior to her diagnosis. Carmen’s inquisitive nature helped Angie navigate the medical system and was fighting for her in her corner. Emotionally perfect.

Friends can sometimes find it hard when a friend is seriously ill. They show up and help when they can. Some people aren’t sure how to respond and some take a step back. Regardless, life goes on. For a cancer patient, life stops and as we recover we get back into it the best that we can.

Angie wanted to scream out she had cancer and told a random woman. Karlee was able to keep it quiet for a bit, but was more obvious when she lost her hair. Life as a Mom is challenging. Add cancer to the mix and child care needs are in full effect. Angie and Karlee are so grateful for the friends that helped them look after the children when at appointments, chemo, etc. 

Shout out to Angie’s family. Shout out to Karlee’s family. And special shout out to friends that became family!

Karlee talks about having friends and her Mom over to shave her head. A breaking moment for her was when her friend took the earrings out of her ears to give Karlee when she first saw her new pixie cut. Karlee also wanted to normalise the head scarf experience for her eldest and asked friends to send her scarves. Wearing her Beyonce wig was not an option as babies pull hair! Thank you for the lovely scarves everyone! I’m still passing them on! And thank you for the lovely jewellery and special mementos. Special Shout Out to Mary, Tiffany, Blanka, Louise and my tribes!

Angie and Karlee talk about how they can’t hang like they used to because they have less energy. They would describe themselves as not as social. But of course, still look amazing! ‘You don’t look like you have cancer.’ Angie shares her weight loss secret….Wait for it….Cancer.

Carmen gives the friends perspective. She gets the recovery period and has an overview of the phases as her Mom had breast cancer. Carmen’s Top Friend Tips when serious illness happens to a friend are:

· Try not to freak out in front of your friend. Carmen freaked out behind the scenes. Thank you for that, Carmen!

· Carmen reminds us friends have to breathe too. Friends have to be strong and support you.

· She also shared it’s important to be real and true. And try to think of scenarios that aren’t happening. 

-And do what you can. Whatever that is. If busy, take times to send a message that you’re thinking about your friend. It’s not all about big gestures.

Karlee’s that person. Angie’s that person. Still the same people. Thankful as ever for their friends and family.

Kale is not the answer. Friendship is.