Dear All,
So hard to read about a life being cut down by something really ugly. In the perfect world, we'd live until we were tired of it, and then fall into a peaceful sleep. Having to fight for life, because we are not yet tired of it, is a killer in itself. My mother-in-law fought with everything she had, but lost. Her husband was just plain tired of living, and his passing was ever so gentle. Such a contrast.
We found out not long ago that a former employee of my husband's firm - and a close personal friend of his - - best fishing/camping buddy -- was ill. We visited him during one of our regular visits to the cancer center and would not have recognized him. 47 years young, pancreatic cancer....diagnosed the same time Tom was, but dead 6 months afterwards. So incredibly sad and hard to grasp. Being in this situation does, truly, make you look at life in a whole new light, and boy, don't we appreciate more than ever the life that bursts forth in spring? Aren't the rain showers wonderful? Even mowing the lawn brings me happiness now that Tom is gaining distance from the disease daily. The fear is hidden - sometimes not very well - but the sun does much to push the fears out of reach.
I wish you all good health and happiness. This disease HAS enriched the life of my family, and we owe much to everyone here.

Nicki