Carol and Amy have said it best. Carol reminded me of the point of reaching out to the teachers and school friends. I did that as well with my kids.

I made a list of phone numbers of everyone who volunteered to be there for my kids and I printed it out and stuck it on the fridge. It is still there.

I never wanted to ask for help until a very close friend of mine hit me over the head and told me to quit being so damned stuborn. I found that once I started asking my friends were more than happy to help and in the process I discovered how true our friendships were. It made me happy to know that people I knew, maybe not on an everyday level, showed how true they were as friends when they would take Harry to radiation for me if I had trouble getting him there.

Believe Amy about the food thing. That was the hardest part. After a totally emotionally draining day to have to come home and feed the kids was almost impossible.

I remember thinking in the beginning that I could do it all. Then after talking to other survivors who had traveled the journey before, I realized that they might be right. I heeded the warnings and I am glad I did because it did not take long to discover how truly difficult this was.

You sound very strong and that will be a good thing to help you get through this trial but like Carol said, you have to take care of yourself. Yes it will feel selfish, and yes it will bother you, but you will see that you have to do it to keep from not being able to do anything at all.

The best thing you have now is this place. You are being armed with the weapons that will help you both fight to win and we are all here fighting with you.

Drop in anytime and feel free to say how you feel, ask for advice, or just ramble to get things off your chest. There are no strangers here because we have all sailed in the same boat.

Our best to you and your family!!

Cindy