Your reactions right now are about what we expect from someone new to cancer (either patient or caregiver). Initially, it just scares the devil out of you, mostly because it's so new and we know absolutely nothing about the disease.

But, then you join a family like this and let us work our magic on you, and then if you are lucky you learn some stuff and a little calm finally starts to set in. We've all been down this road already, and know what you will be going through, so we guide you gently down the road.

A big chunk of what we do is to help educate you about what's coming up, so you won't stay freaked out forever. For some, it's not too bad, for others it's worse. Can we predict what it will be for your mom ... absolutely not. Everyone is different, you will get tired of hearing that, but it's true.

If it's cancer, best thing your mom can do is to start eating ... like a horse ... like she wants to try to get fat as quickly as possible. During treatment I promise you she will lose weight, the goal is to not lose too much weight. If she does it makes treatment a LOT harder, for some bad enough they have to hospitalize you for malnutrition.

The other big thing she needs to do right now, whether it's cancer or it's not cancer, is to relax and not worry herself silly about it. None of us like to wait for results, but they will be what they will be, worrying about it ahead of time won't change the diagnosis. So, just relax, watch TV and movies, read a good book, take an extra nap every day, visit with your friends, go shopping, eat some more, sleep in late; in short try to enjoy life now because during treatment it won't be so enjoyable.

Regardless of the results, get back on the forum and let us know how it turns out.

take care,
Tony