To: Edina77

Hello Edina. My name is Monika and I am, like you, a care giver to my husband Bert, a current no evidence of disease stage III colon cancer survivor and also to my wonderful, wonderful mother, advanced non-operable lung cancer or "beast of beasts" as I call it.

I know your pain, your fear, your sorrow all to well as I faced it myself two years ago when my mom first diagnosed and again last July 2003 when hubby was diagnosed. All I can tell you is, and as hard as it may seem, don't throw in the towel. Not ever!!!! The only person who can make that choice is your mom but with good care and all the advanced treatments that are available now plus support from a wonderful daughter like you, there's no reason why she can't enjoy many more years of quality life and perhaps even beat this ****.

As I said, my mom's odds for being here today were dreadful...but thanks to her strong spirit, positive attitude, good medical care, and the grace of God, although by no means cured, she is holding her own and plans on going to Europe for five weeks October 26!!!! At diagnosis time, I didn't even think I'd have her today....shows you how much I know.

My husband, on the other hand, has responded real well to chemo and fortunately, at time of diagnosis was operable and remains no evidence of disease almost a year and half later. That's another one that I thought I had lost (as people on this board who have known me for awhile will attest to when I first joined the group).

Please remember that cancer is no longer an automatic death sentence and while it still takes far to many lives, there are more and more survivors every single day. Focus on that and whenever you feel yourself falling into the pitt of anxiety, worry, and fear...come and vent here. Your mom needs you...believe me she does and what she needs is optimism and encouragement. She is lucky to have you and yes, as a daughter of a wonderful mother too, we are lucky, oh so lucky, to have them.

Hugs,
Monika