Hi Jennie,

Actually the timing makes sense, that's probably the first chance you had to even think about everything that's happened. The sleeping pill and other medications will help stablize things so you can start to sort it all out but it sounds like being home alone isn't for you. Did you work outside the home before Erik's cancer?

There's no good role to play here - both caregivers and patients suffer the effects of this disease in different ways. It's an unexpected and frigthening disruption in our lives and sometimes there's a delayed reaction. I found it helpful to talk to a therapist - in addition to the medication - but mostly I found it helpful to get back to my own life and interests. David is right that you need to start your healing process and recovery.

You clearly have a support system and people who are paying attention to what's going on with you and that's a big plus. I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better.

Regards JoAnne


JoAnne - Caregiver to husband, cancer rt. tonsil, mets to soft palate, BOT, 7 lymph nodes - T3N2BM0, stage 4. Robotic assisted surgery, radical neck dissection 2/06; 30 IMTX treatments and 4 cycles of cisplatin completed June 06.