Marieka, I had worried that too much information might create problems. I think I'll give you a break. You have asked some very good questions, and I will answer any that you really want to know about, but I don't want to give you things to worry about. I want to comfort you. I can't, however, do what I really want to do, which is to make it go away and take away the reality of it. I just want to assure you that you WILL make it through, and that there ARE ways to cope with the details.

You've asked some good questions about the future which you don't really need to know about now, but if you really want to know, I'll be glad to answer. I presume that, since you are wondering, you want answers.

Let me know what you most want to hear about.....what you need now to feel better prepared. Too much information might just be upsetting and overwhelming. I don't want to do that to you!!

Let me add one nice note: Before my surgery, I was a singer..not professional, but a good, trained amateur. I sang at church, doing some solo work and helping with the children's choir. I had just established a city-wide audition-only chorale and we had had our first concert when I had my surgery. A nerve was damaged in my neck that damaged my voice, and I thought I would never sing again. I was bereft! I DO sing now, not quite at the same level, but I do well, and I cantor at church, alone, and I sing some solos, and I am loving my music again. One of my jr. singers looked up the other day and said, "Miss Colleen, you have the most beautiful voice I have ever heard." I know that she isn't a true judge of musical talent, but it meant the world to me to hear that!! I just wanted you to know that life goes on, though changed in some ways,and solutions are found, some easier than others.

Later.XO--Colleen

Have a great day! We'll "talk" later.

XOXO--Colleen