I should have known there would be numerous animal lovers on this message board...it is a group of loving caring people.

I agree completely that I don't want to experience life without knowing the love of my animals. They are the most accepting of all, they still love and support us even with all our faults. And no one will ever convince me that they don't know when we need them the most. It is a wonderful connection that I hope is never broken.

I heard a great quote the other day and I apologize if it's off topic.
"Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs might as well relax and accept it!!!"

Dinah
(who has both cats and dogs and hopes she can be the person they think she is)

I'll second (or third or forth) what Dinah said, without my dogs, I would have never gotten through this. (Not to take away from my loving, caregiver, wife of course!)

I also used music, prayer, the spa (i.e. hydrotherapy -post treatment), meditation techniques, visualization and every other thing I could find to get through this.

I really like what Dee said about "...listening and singing, it pretty much takes care of my thinking" That was great! (In AA we call it stinkin' thinkin').

This is a very interesting thread indeed. Some great coping tools here...

I absolutely agree that music plays a very important role in reducing our mental stress. Yesterday afternoon I went to a folk song concert with my husband. During the three hours, I was totally absorbed in the songs and the joyful atmosphere. I almost forgot about my illness if not for the dry mouth. All the songs I was familiar with and I tried to sing along with others in a low and hoarse voice, with sips of water from time to time. It has been a few years since the last concert I went to and both of us returned home with smiling and satisfied faces. Going to concerts was a dream to me last year and I am so glad that I made it real yesterday.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

Hi Karen, I am happy to tell you, that although my voice is raspier and a little lower than before, I am singing some lead and backing vocals in a band (three nights this week) and have less than 6 months out from end of treatment.

Just 4 short months ago I never even dreamed that I would be able to do this again. I have a drink holder attached to my mic stand and always have water available. My salivary function is slowly coming back.

Congratulations about making it to the concert - there really is life after all of this and it is certainly a whole lot more precious than before.