Jim,

I've been reading your posts and pulling for you behind the scenes. I'm in Wooster OH, about an hour south of Cleveland, or 2 hrs north of Columbus.My Dad has been in Cleveland Clinic since 12/27.

I feel deeply your struggle with Barb and what you both went through the first time. My step mom has excluded me from almost everything, but she can't stop me from seeing my dad while he's in the hospital. My dad won't sign consent for dr.'s and nurses to talk to me directly. No matter how bad this hurts, and it hurts excruciatingly, I will not stop being his loving daughter. With all my heart, I implore Barb to be there for you. When all is said and done, that is all that matters. My love will shine through this cancer, no matter how ugly the family gets. My dad will know I loved him through it. I don't understand it, not at all. All I know is my dad has had 2 surgeries, 9 hours each. I know that my family fell apart the first time in 2003. The second time was not as much of a surprise. Let love be your guide, let God lead you from your hearts. But Barb, someone you love needs you and is reaching out to you. I wish my dad would reach out to me. Don't disappoint him, please reach back! You're needs won't be met, almost guaranteed, because it's Jim's needs that need met now. Yours and mine will have to wait. Dig deep Barb, he needs you, help him get to the other side again where he can meet you halfway and meet your needs again. My dad has said and done some terrible things to me while he's battled his cancers, we have too many unresolved issues for my comfort level, I'm working daily to seperate the person from the behavior and just love him through this. I wouldn't want my loved ones to leave me if I got nasty through the treatment, cancer brings out the nasty ~ fight back with love!