Hi Stephen,
I'm 37 too - and I have a 7 year old and a 14 year old. I can't say that I don't have those horrible moments when I picture my kids having to grow up without a mom. It is so much easier said than done to just put your negative thoughts to bed, and this whole cancer business is very tough on kids. If you can, you might want to consider getting your kids in to see a therapist (yes, even the 3 year old!) who knows how to help them work through their feelings about this very scary time. Kids react to our feelings and emotions, and obviously you are going to be scared, overwhelmed, and stressed by everything that is happening to you - that is bound to be picked up by your kids no matter how careful you are.

There are no guarantees in life - try as hard as you can to keep focused on the here and now instead of the what ifs and whens! Now if only I could follow my own advice all the time....LOL


Lisa
36 years old at diagnosis
SCC of the tongue T2N2bM0 Stage IV
post hemi glossectomy and neck dissection (3/28/07), finished 6 weeks of radiation and Cisplatin x2 6/19/07. Biopsy taken from right side of tongue 7/17/08 - results showed infected abscess and no return of SCC!