I have wondered how I would feel if someone close to me got cancer. My grandparents got lung cancer and died when they were in their 80s (I was in my 40s). I know this was very hard for my mom and aunts and someday I might have to go through it with my own parents. My kids have never been really sick or suffered any prolonged illness. I am truly blessed in this way.

Last night a friend told me he fears he has cancer. After going to the doctor for what he thought was a broken finger, he found out it could be something more serious. He got x-rays that showed the bone closest to his hand was hollow. This took several radiologists and doctors to read correctly. Many had never seen anything like this before. This has a name that I can’t remember but basically it is diagnosed as a tumor in the finger/hand. His bone looks like a hollow crab shell and could break at any time.

Since my friend is in the medical field he looked up the diagnosis and read it was a precursor to bone cancer. Three years ago, when we first met, he was having some health issues. At that time they thought he had leukemia. It was a scary time for him but it was correctly diagnosed as a B vitamin absorption problem instead. Now he is wondering if all these blood issues could be pointing to what he is hoping isn’t true. If he does have bone cancer, did it start there or does he have cancer some other place in his body?

He is meeting with his primary doctor today to talk about what this could mean. His doctor said he shouldn’t jump to any conclusions. Likely, several tests will be ordered, PET and MRI, blood work will be run. Until there are answers, we wait.

How do I feel? I feel scared and anxious. I feel sad and concerned. I feel mushy inside. I have cried a few times and find myself on the verge of tears. Answers come quickly, please.