Life threatening disease

Do you help someone with a "life threatening disease" or do you run away?

I have known people in my life with life threatening disease which I was there for them. Yes, I said "known" because they have passed away and I am very glad that I was there to assist them. There are lots of threatening disease out there which is very hard for a person to even comprehend.  I have personal experience for helping and caring for someone since 1993.  I can't imagine how these people really felt when they were diagnose with a life threatening disease.

In 1993 I knew someone who was dying due to AIDS and it was an eye opening for me and which I was just only 25 years old and coming out. Also since I just moved to California and learned about the gay life style, I was very interested in it. I was not afraid of what I was doing to help him through his last days with us but it was really worth it being part of something that could shape me for the future. I've learned what was safe sex and what was not safe. As a HIV Negative person, I was very fortunate of learning safe sex and going to groups to talk about it.  The group that I use to hang out with were very knowledgeable about the life style and I learned a lot. Now days there are lots of prevention to help people who are infected with the disease and I applaud for the medical professionals who discovered the drugs. A longer life for them.

But this is not the only disease I had to deal with in my life.  My late partner had a heart disease which took a lot of our time in and out of the hospitals. I spent numerous day and nights in the hospital with him. I also had a scare of loosing him 2 1/2 years prior of his actual passing date. I spent a month in Mississippi while he was in a coma for 12 days. I was told he would not live through this because his heart could not take it but with the grace of God he woke up. Once he woke up it was another adventure I had to go through. He spent a month or two in rehab which it was tough. This disease did not take him then but it took his life later down the line. Being there and caring for him was a choice I choose. I did not even think about moving on or giving up on him because I knew that everyone needs someone, especially in hard times. Not that I would have left him because he was the lite of my life. But I was going to be there until the end (like a married couple).

Soon after my partner passed, I was faced with an extended family member and a friend dealing with Cancer. It was tough for both families who cared for them. I was there for both people and trying to do as much as I could for both of them, Since both were miles apart, I spent little time here and there to help them out. Yes within year and a half, I dealt with several deaths personally of family and friends. I've learned a lot about how people feel when the end is coming.

So as you can see, I have spent part of my life helping people in need. But would you do the same if you've come across someone who needs a friend or someone who needs your help? I hope so because some of these disease are family hereditary or was done by accidentally.  I've been watching the news and saw all these people suffering and there's no where to turn to. We all need to help each other because life is to short. So get out there and do something for someone. Whether they are ill or not, do something for someone.