Judy,

     What a wonderful friend you are.  Having been the patient, I know that having folks like yourself offer to help out means the world to us!  However, it is sometimes very hard to ask for the help you need.  You'll have to kind of draw her out, if she's like I was, and get her to tell you what she needs.

Here's my input into your questions:

          Financial Aid:  You might check with the American Cancer Society and see if they know of anything.  Also, check with the social worker at her hospital.  They are usually quite on top of issues such as this.

          Long-distance Help:  One thing that comes to mind is that you could possibly set up a website or blog to keep her friends and family informed.

                                CaringBridge.com is one such site.  That way, not everyone needs to be calling her to check on her progress and she can get

                                a bit more rest while still staying in touch with folks.  Does she have pets you could temporarily adopt until she's back on her

                                feet?  An occasional trip to help with untended yard and housework?  Lots of things tend to slip while you're going through

                                treatment.  That can be very frustrating to a patient.

          Peer-Volunteers:   I strongly recommend the First Connection program through the LLS.  I volunteer for that program and also was the

                                recipient of a few calls when I was diagnosed with AML in 2004.  There's nothing like talking to someone who really gets

                                what you are going through because they've been there themselves.  There is a link on the LLS home page.

          Support Groups:  Where I live, there are none.  The closest is 70 miles away in Seattle.  See if you can get her to look at these discussion

                                boards, especially the Hodgkin's forum.  I know she would be welcomed with open arms.  This has been my support group for nearly                                5 years and it has been enormously helpful.

                                If there is a support group near her, you might encourage her to try going once and see how she likes it.  Groups are not for

                                everyone, but for some they are very helpful.

          Work:  This wasn't an issue for me as I was between jobs when I was diagnosed and have never been able to return to work.  But I had a different

                     disease and treatment than your friend.  Someone here will chime in who has some better experiences and knowledge in this area.

Lastly, just continue to be the friend that you obviously are to her.  Offer your hand when it is needed, your ear when it is needed and your shoulder to cry on when necessary.  We go through an emotional roller coaster when learning to deal with our diagnosis.  A steady, calm, compassionate friend is perhaps the best help of all.  I know she appreciates you.  Wishing her the best of luck for a great outcome.