Elizabeth, Let me start by saying that you are not alone in the unsurety dept. We have all been there.

Here is what advice I can offer...

I wasn't the patient but I had many of the same concerns. The main one was how were we going to make it with my having to do everything that always seemed to us to be a 2 person job. The house, the jobs, the kids, etc.

What I discovered was that life makes time for things that must be done. As you travel this road you will find that you will make adjustments as you go and find your way through. Don't let all of the experiences you have read about scare you. Instead use them as a worst case planning tool. Know that everyone here who has experienced rad tx have all had different experiences. Yours will be unique to you. But you are obviously strong and you know that motherhood certainly helps in that department.

So step back a moment and take a deep breath. Take each day as it comes and try not to overwhelm yourself with worries for next week. For a little while when tx begins you will notice probably little. Most of the people I have read here and my husband as well didn't see any immediate affects from the rad. Are you having chemo as well? It will make a difference in how your body reacts.

To asnswer the question "How do you do it?" is simple and complicated. I heard that question so many times from friends and family members and it was always followed by, "I wouldn't have the strength to do what you are doing."

I have a simple response... you do what you have to and you never really know what you can do until it is there to be done. The truth is I didn't think about how I could do it, I just did. And Harry just did. It was challenging, difficult, sometimes overwhelming, but everyday we met the challenges of that day and before I knew it we were becoming pros. Like anything knew in life, there is always uncertainty in the beginning but as you go along and gain experience then you get better at it.

You will be fine. Don't be afraid to ask for help, stay focussed on beating the disease, and keep the good thoughts in mind even when it seems most difficult to do.

You CAN do this, you WILL do this, and most important.... YOU are NOT ALONE!

Lean on us when you need to and we will offer whatever advice we have to give. We all showed up here just like you, scared, confused, uncertain... and together we have helped each other through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Hang in there and you will be fine!!!

All my best!
Cindy