"Just found out somone I know was diagnosed with cancer"

[Little Panda RN]

I am not sure what to do in this situation. Someone I know, I consider her a friend was diagnosed with cancer. We have known each other for many years. We were not the kind of friends who did things together, but enjoyed talking to each other when our paths crossed. She used to be a receptionist/appt. clerk in the clinic I work in. We both went back for our LPN at different times. She now works in the hospital and I still work in the clinic. Our clinic and hospital are attached. Today while I was in the elevator at work I noticed a flyer with her name and a picture of her and her family saying that she was diganosed with cancer and they were having a bake sale for her to raise money for her expenses. I was so shocked and I can not quite thinking about her. So my question to all of you is should I look up her phone number and call her or would this be out of line. I have not seen her since my clinicals, but my heart is breaking for her. She has 4 wonderful little boys and a husband. I do not know if it is appropiate to call out of the blue. How do you handle a situation like this. I want her to know that I am thinking about her and praying for her. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[MIA-RN1, RN]

when my husband was diagnosed w/ cancer, the best phone calls were honest and when people offered to do something for us. (Cook, watch the kids when we had appointments etc) An offer to babysit when she goes for treatment would probably come as a blessing to her. And just be honest in what you say. Telling someone that you just don't know what to say is okay, but be sure that you don't end up having to be consoled by the person w/ cancer. That happened sometimes and its hard to deal with.