A buddy of mine is currently at M.D. Anderson, having had his esophagus removed after an endoscopy revealed a tumor. I went up there to visit him today and spent some time.
Before having cancer I probably wouldn't have gone and would not have known what to say if I had. I would probably have considered him a " dead man walking".
However now that I am an old cancer pro, I delighted in being there, bluntly discussed all the issues with my friend and joked around. When he wanted to take a walk around the hospital, I helped him unplug his IV stuff and even tied the gown on his hairy back and off we went, even cruising far away halls full of esoteric labs where his presence drew curious looks from the lab workers not used to seeing patients wandering so far.
So there you have it...having cancer put me in a position to understand what he is going through, to be nonplussed by the tube in his nose and the fact that he is sick, and hopefullly, to add a little good advice, hope and joy to his situation. It helped that he is a great guy who already has a wonderful attitude.

Danny G.