Hi Tim & Kathy,
Thanks once again for the info. I can't begin to tell you how helpful all of your insight has been. It is great to know what to expect. I am so glad to hear that your recovery is going well. I know Shawn will be happy to hear that you are back to a relatively normal lifestyle and even forgot about all that you have been through. I appreciate your willingness to talk with Shawn. I always access the Internet at work because we don't have highspeed Internet at home...yet. We are getting it because I want us to be able to use it while he is recovering at home. That and we might be the ONLY people in the world that still have dial-up.
I appreciate your advice about learning to laugh at the cancer. We both have a pretty good attitude and outlook on the situation. I try to encourage Shawn to tell me how he feels, if he is scared, etc. but he doesn't say too much about it. He will provide answers if I ask direct questions, but he doesn't offer any information unless I ask. He has not complained ONCE about any of this. All throughout chemo when he was so sick and tired, he never complained. I have told him numerous times that it is OK to be mad, sad, scared, pissed, nervous, whatever and that we will cry through this together if we have to. I am not sure if it is "man" thing and he doesn't want me to worry or what. Maybe he would feel more comfortable sharing with someone who has been through it. I have definitely had my fair share of bad days where I am mad or sad, but we both have the attitude that we will overcome this. We have the absolute best medicine in our little boy. He is 9 months old and he gives us a reason to laugh and get on the floor and play and focus on other than the cancer. I think this battle would be twice as hard without him.
Thanks again for the information. I have shared your story with my parents and Shawn's parents and I can't stress enough how comforting it is to know that you have had such a positive experience. I will definitely continue to visit this board after Shawn's surgery to share his experience so hopefully someone else will benefit. I think the unknown is one of the scariest parts of this mess.
I'm going to check out you website! Thanks & Happy Holidays.
Stephanie