A friend of mine has a PHD in French. She has taught in Paris and in Montreal. She writes very well, (even had one article published in the New York Times!). and is very much into dark fantasy, science fiction and fantasy -- as am I. She also has Rhumatoid Arthritis, (RA) -- very severely. I have often broached topics in alternative medicine to her -- but she will have NONE of it, saying she wants only, "real medicine" (!) She even gets upset when I mention something as simple as giving up wheat products! (Not asking her to TAKE any "weird" things ;ole glucosamine or condroitin -- just STOP eating something, (wheat), or at least limit her consumption of it.... Nope! She just gets upset when I mention these things to her.
So, I've finally promised NEVER to mention these things again. If I do, I've given her permission to do something awful to me...forget what, exactly, but I do remember it was awful. She and I once lived in the same city --but I've recently moved 3,000 miles away. We still keep in touch via telephone, and she IS a wonderful friend to talk to and share problems with. She has, however, mentioned about twice that she "is not long for this world." ONLY twice. So, I don't think she thinks of suicide too often....for now, anyway. But I'm afraid as the yeas go on, that her R.A. may get worse -- she's already told me that she hates her body. But when I try to help, mentioning the most innocuos of remedies....she balks! I don't want to lose this friend -- to R.A. or anything else. What should I do -- now and in the future?
