It has been 2+ weeks since Clark's jaw reconstruction and today he is very down. I feel so bad for him. He thinks he looks like a freak, he is still in pain and tired of the assortment of meds and their assorted side effects, ie constipation, cotton mouth. He thinks the PS botched the job.

He misses eating and tasting real food. He is doubting his decision to have had the surgery. He is worried about his weight, down a few pounds. To top it all off, he is experiencing urine retention and must use a catheter for a few weeks until his bladder wakes up. He feels old and defeated.

This cancer trip can really bring a person to your knees. Clark is so overwhelmed with the process. I am glad he trusts me enough to express his feelings but I wish I could do more.

Can anyone offer some suggestions? Two days ago I gave him a copy of "The Ten Commandments of Cancer Survival" to read. I think that helped him express some of his frustrations. But I've got to find other ways to help him through this.

How do I help him face this challenge?

Anita