We don’t call each other OLD friends, though, at least not yet. We faced difficulties from rainstorms to high winds to hurt feelings, but we weathered them as gracefully as we could. A 2006 study of 300 nurses with breast cancer showed that those with close relationships were four times more likely to survive their breast cancer than those without close friends. Read more from Ann Marie MershonHave you considered reviving connections with old schoolmates? If you’re active online, seek out old friends through Facebook or classmates.com.