Man, I don't know why I'm posting this here except that this forum isn't kids, it's adults here.

I have a songwriter friend and she's been ill for 2 years. They FINALLY diagnosed her with ischemia of the arteries leading to the stomach. They did surgery two weeks ago. Been in ICU since. Now, three more surgeries since. First was the arteries, then remove spleen, gall bladder. Then got pneumonia. Now, kidneys are suspect?

I am getting this from her 18 year old daughter. Wow, this is heavy. They call me and I am a good friend to them. I've only known them six months. But her mom connected with my songwriting and I liked hers. We hung out and had good times.

I don't mean to ramble. She is dying. The daughter just called back in hysterics. Said her Gramma said that Mona looks like she weighs twice her weight and her eyes are popping out of her head and her face is BLACK and it is horrible.

This is because we are to go there tomorrow for a visit. She is in a hospital 70 miles from here. Her husband is with her.

The gramma said the husband is in denial "and you need to know that." (He's retaining "hope" and that bugs the gramma, I guess.)

The daughter doesn't handle stress well. There is also a 12 year old and they haven't told her how bad it is but she knows something is up and is scared.

What the heck do I say. This is a good woman and it sure looks bleak.

Point is, I don't know what to do. I don't mind being front man and going in and assessing the situation. But then what. If her appearance is as bad as they say, what then? Say, "No, you should not go in." Or "Yes, you should go in no matter how bad."

This daughter, I don't think she could handle it. She'll freak out, based on what I know. They are best friends plus mom/daughter, they play in the same band. Best friends.

I don't know what to do. They look to me for guidance for some reason. Well, actually, I know why. The "gramma" that I spoke of, she finally surfaced after abandoning this dear lady who is dying. At least she showed up now. Anyway, they don't have a strong family unit at all.

We were going there to hopefully do some good but it sure looks bad.