Hello,
My dearest and closest friend of 40 years has recently been diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the gall bladder which has come as a devastating shock to me , I think I presumed she would never be ill especially as she took great care of herself regarding healthy diet, lifestyle, was totally moderate with alcohol never smoked etc. it’s come as a huge blow and I am so frightened for what the next few months hold for her. She is starting palliative chemo this week, has been told by her oncologist that if it shrinks her tumour she could have a year to live otherwise 6 months.
I am determined to do my absolute best for her in whatever way I can, be there for her , be supportive and give her loving help in any way I can. I am scared though and want to do the right things, if anyone can advise me how to stay strong and be the best I can be I would be so grateful. Thank you 
Hi Rosie7, welcome to our community though sorry to hear about your friend.
Cancer has a way of being very cruel in that it often will find people who seem to be doing everything right. Her prognosis sounds very specific considering our experience is often that they are often just a best guess based on averages.
The idea of being "strong" is one we talk about here quite often - just wish it was as easy to do as it is to say. Sometimes of course the best help we can be is just to sit and listen and the single most important thing we need to learn is to look after ourselves. I did a living with less stress course that really helped me - dealing with things on a day to day basis and how to deal with the unexpected.
You are almost certainly going to surprise yourself in how well you will cope but somedays will hurt more than others - talking on here can be really helpful.
<<hugs>>
Steve
