Angie -- It is hard not to be dramatically affected by all of this, and to react strongly to every piece of new. I told my wife (and continue to tell her) that this disease is harder on the loved ones emotionally than it is on the person with the disease.

Example: Last night, my wife was acting a little "funny" -- nothing dramatic, just a little different. After 26 years of marriage, I pretty much know when she is upset, so after some coaxing, she told me. The brother of one of her law partners died from this disease yesterday. He had posted here a few times back in 2007, but did not stay with the community, and generally did not have a good attitude toward treatment. He had a recurrence, and apparently elected not to treat it. Needless to say, it sent a flood of emotions going for my wife, and I had to reassure her that his situation was different, etc.

We are all only as good as our last checkup. After awhile, it gets easier to deal with that reality, and as time moves on, and the odds shift a bit, the mind eases a little, at least for me.

You are doing great, and glad that the doctor does not think the new issues are anything dire. Keep posting here!