Day Five--"I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends"

Went to a concert tonight w/ my friend Lora where we saw other friends. I've come to the conclusion that anything is tolerable and doable and workable when you've got friends.  Lora made the comment tonight that despite my illness, I'm much healthier and happier than I was last school year when going through my divorce.  I had friends help me through that too, but I felt in greater turmoil than I do now.   There's research that supports the importance of interpersonal relationships in combating and controlling cancer, and people who are socially isolated are more likely to suffer from heart problems.  All this gives credence to the song, "I get by w/ a little help from my friends."  For me to fight this cancer, I must remain health physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, and socially.  That's quite a balancing act.......but what a ride.

Earlier today I decided it was time to reconnect w/ some other friends that I hadn't talked to in awhile.  My Aunt Jean told me that a few months before Uncle Jack died he called up some of his old buddies that he hadn't talked to in years.  She's convinced he knew he was dying even then even though others didn't suspect.  I know my death isn't imminent, and I don't think my illness is the motivator behind wanting to rekindle past friendships.  It's not like I'm tracking down every friend I've ever had and lost contact w/.  I'm not sure I'd have enough time to do that if I lived another 50 years.  But I am trying to gather as many friends around me as possible so I guess in a way I am "circling the wagons."  I just don't plan on this being my last stand.