Bleakness

For one friend, I can hardly think that she is waking up today feeling that the day is full of promise. She was diagnosed several weeks ago with cancer and has been undergoing some intense treatments which have left her feeling sick and drained. Then yesterday her husband of 30+ years died. What will make her want to get up day after day from now on? Will it be enough that her daughter--an adult--has lost her father and sorely needs her mother by her side? Will it be an attitude of "by damn the universe will not defeat me!" or "I together with my faith and family and friends can overcome any obstacle"? I can't imagine what she feels right now. I'm as sad as I can be for her, but my sadness is only the tip of her iceberg.