Hey Josh

Hey Epso,

Josh is right. While you need to learn for the real world you can always take up summer school or cyber school or something. You made a choice to do the right thing. Both my grandmothers have beaten cancer but my dad may not be so lucky. I know how hard it can be to watch stuff like this happen to others. Iv been there and currently am. I gave up a summer of fun to take care of my grandma. It was a hard thing to do but it was worth it. Dont let people who think that they are more important than your friend get in the way. Your sports and school will be there later. Keep up doing the right thing and dont let anyone tell you otherwise.

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” (Gandhi)

People who told him he was wrong never stopped him from doing what was right.

Best wishes to both you and your friend, she is lucky to have you

~Bucci

Hey Epso,

Josh always has the best advice and is 100% right on this one. Your friend should be your main focus right now, because sports, well, are just a season and there’s always next year for them.

Your friend needs you, and the best part is that you’re not afraid to be with them! Most people shy away from someone who has cancer because of the fear of getting close and then, sadly, losing them. It’s a tragedy that she is sick, and I wish her well. My mom had cancer, it’s tough to deal with, I know how you feel. Just showing your face though, giving them a smile or cracking a joke… that’s the stuff that brings you closer together.

Your coach has a responsibility for your well-being. They aren’t meant to harass you into playing, they are meant to support you and guide you both on and off the playing field. He, or she, if not aware, needs to be made aware of what you are going through. A decision has to be made by both them and by you. “Juggling life” is not something you want to be doing. Managing your stress and doing something constructive with it is something you should focus on. When it comes down to it, which is more important after your friend? Grades, or sports?

I think that maybe you should go on hiatus from sports for a while. My biggest reason is that if you aren’t giving it your all, then it’s not just you who is suffering, it’s your team as well. Grades help set up your future, and I’m sure that the team won’t mind. They /are/ your friends, they should stick by you in whatever decision you make. Also, I rarely give advice like this (if you were on the old heyjosh I was cinderella): but pray. Even if he doesn’t answer, you have the assurance that someone has listened to you.

I hope that this has helped and I wish your friend a cure so that you can be together longer.

Sincerely,
Sarah

Hey Epso,

I agree both with Josh and Sarah, their advice is invaluable. But i would just like to add that firstly i think that it is really good that you are doing what you think is right. Priorities are important and you need to set them too but this is your own decision. Apart from that, I think that i might discern a little concern about college. Obviously grades are important but what you are also doing is providing you with so many experiences that you can talk about in those dreaded college essays. Obviously these experiences cannot replace grades but they might make the difference and help you justify the not so wonderful grades. This is just a thought that i wanted to share with you. I would like to congratulate you on your decision and on your strength. I wish your friend a cure so that you can enjoy each other for much longer.

Sincerely,

Julia

Epso,
First of all, here’s a big virtual hug for you!
Second, you are doing the right thing! My husband’s grandfather died from cancer this past summer, and like Josh said, more than anything we wish we could have spent more time with him, because in the end, this short time is all any of us have.
Yes, grades are important, but they are nowhere NEAR as important as spending time with your friend.
I agree with Bucci, your friend is lucky to have you.
To repeat a common thread from the other responses:
I wish your friend a cure so that you can be together longer.

Brittany

Hey espo,
I think josh is right.
I would be worrying about the same things you are if i had a friend with cancer.
But if you’re not sure on how long you’re going to have her.

SPEND TIME WITH HER. !

in the end youll always be able to make things up.
goodluck!
sincerly. Lauren.

Epso,
Personally I’d drop the sports. Tell your coach you love sports but right now your friend is your priority. If he can’t understand then it’s his problem.
Once you take care of that you have just your friend and school, try to give them equal time and you should do ok.
Then maybe next year if things are different you can pick up on sports again.

Thank you! It is so fulfilling for me to hear encouragement in an area i have been discouraged. Recently my friend has taken a turn for the worst. But now I am content with the fact that I have done everything I am capable of in supporting her. Josh keep it up….. God has sent you here for a reason!
1 Corinthians 13 – read it… it will change your heart

Hey Josh,
My school Maca is plannng on doing a newspaper. Me and my friend Caira Duffield are going to be the advice columnest for our paper and school. We were researching and saw your site. We were wondering if you would mind if we used a couple of questions from your site to answer on our own paper. I am asking because i didnt want to just take one and be rude, i would be really thank ful if you let us respond to one of your questions from one of the people who write to you on our paper. Anyway please write back and give us an answer we will be looking forward to your responce.
thanks.
Kristen