Hi MCW - To me it doesn't really matter whether you've been diagnosed with cancer or not. You are worried and you asked for help. That makes you a member of the family. If it turns out you don't have the big C, then you just won't be active for very long.

So, welcome to the family. It's a big group of brothers and sisters and we are all here to help. If you have it, we know what you are going through as we have it too, some of us are just a little further down the road than you are.

But, every one of us remember when we were first diagnosed and how scared that made us feel initially. Most of that fear is fear of the unknown because none of us are born knowing what cancer is and we don't really learn about it until either we get it, or someone near and dear to us gets it.

So, welcome to the club even though I know it's a club you'd just as soon not be a member of.

Now, as for having to wait until January for surgery, yes I know that sucks. It seems a few of my appointments happened with just a short wait, but many had long waits before actually occurring. That always drives us insane; don't they know we want to know today. Sadly, that's not the way it works. With this disease you have to learn patience.

I know most of what I'm saying sounds like it's appropriate for someone already diagnosed. I hope you are not diagnosed, but if you are, we are your friends, lean on us, we will help get you through this thing.

take care
Tony