When a friend is sick

A friend of mine has a illness which requires multiple surgeries and long hospital stays/absences from work. She's in the hospital now after a surgery and a does of intraperitoneal chemo. This has been a bit of a new experience for me because her pathology reports, slides, and other information has crossed my desk in the last few days. It has left me struggling with whether to tell her or not that I've seen it. She knows that it was likely that I would and she seemed ok with it, but at the same time I think it's a bit intrusive because she didn't make the decision whether to show me or not. I've made the decision that I won't bring it up unless she does first, and if she does, I'll try my best to say that I've seen it but don't know anything about it, because really I don't. I'm not a pathologist and she'll get the results soon enough from her trusted doctor.

It's been nice to be able to go and see someone in the hospital and have to play no bigger role than that of supportive friend. I go down on my lunch hour and shoot the shit with her for 15 minutes and then excuse myself - in my opinion, visiting often and for short times is better than hanging about for hours. Her sister is always there reading or doing puzzles and just being there - what a star.

Hopefully this stay will be uncomplicated and short and she will be able to return home to convalesce soon.