This cancer survivor knows she got off very easily--no chemo, but having the shit scared out of you by the Big C - we all have to deal with that, and it makes each of us appreciate a lot and treat our loved ones with more care, so they really know they are loved, they don't have to assume it. I stopped with the second master's degree (I had finished the coursework, and had a thesis left) when I got the diagnosis. Why shut myself away from my children to study, when I really needed to be a better parent, to be part of their lives? I am sorry I didn't finish the second masters, but it wasn't quite what I wanted, anyway, so if I get a chance, I'll work on it another time.

You have an opportunity to raise a child. Michelle, this is such a gift. I cringe when I read about children in abusive homes - where the parents themselves are babies, are immature, are ignorant, are so many things that don't lead to good parenting. You not only are going to be raising one of your own, you're going to be a role model (again) for your foster daughter and her child. Talk about a dynamic duo!

Let's finish with the hints and the prognostications, the territorial posts. We can all see through them, and none of us need to be told that our cancer didn't quite count as much as someone elses, or that we don't quite really know what we're talking about. We do know, better than you think. WYSIWYG, please sit down, take a few deep breaths, and relax. We know you mean well, but you've been a bit over the top lately.

SRS