A FRIEND in need

Kerry (above left) and Pat (above right) met at university in 1984, and have been best friends ever since. In 2017, their sons were both diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

Pat’s son Dom, 17, had been bullied at school and online since coming out as gay aged 14 – and was having counselling for social anxiety issues.

Kerry’s 17-year-old son Cameron had a cough, but was excited by his upcoming rugby tour of Australia.

During the following months, the women found time to keep diaries and to message each other – two ordinary mums finding a way to survive extraordinary challenges. The two friends have written Take My Hand about their experience, in the hope that it will help someone else feel less alone. Here is an edited version of their stories and correspondence.

KERRY’S STORY: HOW IT BEGAN

Back in July 2017 when my son Cam set off on his three-week rugby tour of Australia, I was more worried about him breaking his neck in a scrum than his persistent cough.

But he came back safely, and was so proud to have been made team captain. Soon after, my husband Steve and I took him to the GP, concerned now about the cough that still dogged him. He was sent to A&E for a chest