Hi Sue,
When my mother had her heart attack, my father took the optomistic role and downplayed the whole thing. I am very glad that I spoke to the doctor myself to find out the true story so I had a chance to see her again. I never did mention it to him that I spoke to the doctor. It wasn't important - he had his own agenda.

They have made tremendous strides with the new chemotherapy drugs and there is definitely hope for a cure so don't give up! Some of us here were not candidates for surgery either, for one reason or another, and radiation and chemo were our only options.

Your mother, father and children need for you to be strong right now and it's ok to ask for meds to treat anxiety, depression or the rest of the emotional rollercoaster that cancer gifts us with. It'll restore some of the balance in your life and is not a sign of weakness. If I have learned anything from having cancer, it's to cherish each day and that nothing is more important than our families and friends.

Remember also that the doctors will give you statistics on survival rates and that your mother is NOT a statistic. They are almost bound to always give the worst possible case scenario - please do not let this affect your hope.