Angelia,

I've found that my boys, 5 & 9, who were 3 & 7 when I was diagnosed, have been extremely resiliant. My oldest, who is naturally more sensative then my youngest, did have a hard time with the diagnosis.

A year before I was diagnosed, his great grandma, who he was very close to, died of cancer. The hardest thing I've ever done was tell him I had cancer. I looked across from his big brown eyes, filled with tears as he said, "Daddy, I don't want you to die!"

We got him into counceling and have been very upfront and honest with him through the whole process. In fact, last week when I got back home from another facial surgery, fresh with nasty scars and swelling, he looked at me and said "Dad, you are so brave. I'm proud of you." What a kid.

As I've said before, use it to see you through the really tough times, and if you need a little chemical assistance, don't you dare feel bad about it. Do what you need to do for you to get through this.

Eric