Karen,

I am glad to hear the news about Don and you (and his mother)! I think the post I read a while back about sedating the people in the waiting room makes a lot of sense. I had to sit through two 8 hour surgeries with my mother and both times they got over 40 lbs of tumors (in a 95 lb woman). The first time they said they got it all and the second time they gave her 4 weeks to live, almost exactly a year apart. Even though it was in 1999 and 2000, it still feels like yesterday every time I hear stories of people in the surgery waiting room.

Situational depression is something everyone in life experiences and with the cancer life, I am not sure it ever goes away as much as becomes manageable.

You are a strong woman and Don is truly blessed to have you in his life. During times like this, God promises us rewards for taking care of our loved ones unconditionally. May He continue to bless you, give you comfort and peace and watch over you and Don!

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023