Rugby Kim,
Quite an ordeal! I read your story word for word and it was gripping . (I had thought I was young dealing with this stuff having started at age 34.) We have in common the fact that you had just finished school when you were diagnosed. I had also just finished school, started a new job, and bought my first house. I have Laryngeal ca but can still relate to many of the things you have just gone thru. I am 41 now.

You have a beautiful attitude.

It makes me very angry to think of the doctor calling your parents first. That's kind of like getting an additional slap in the face. I mean, I love my parents dearly but I was very happy to exercise my right to understand what it meant for me to have this situation before breaking the news to them . Clearly that was an invasion of your privacy. I only hope that it hasn't caused any animosity between you and your mom since it was the doctor who messed up. It is wonderful that your parents are there to support you. You may find yourself falling into different roles with your family. Even though this is ultimately your own individual experience I hope that you do not find yourself feeling alone. As you are finding out this site here can be a great source of information and moral support. I believe that one of the gifts that this disease has supplied for me (there's a few ) is the opportunity to get very close with my family. You have experienced allot in a short amount of time and the strength that you have gained from this experience will prove to be invaluable to you as you move forward day by day.

I find that my life is sweeter now, even vivified. I also appreciate just about everything most of the time. Yes, ...even the pain I sometimes have because that means I'm still alive. It also means that I can still be here for my 17yr old daughter.

I will be holding you up in prayer daily!
Much Love, Light, Laughter, and Healing,
Candle