Discouraged. I keep waking up in the middle of the night and have trouble falling back to sleep due to a thousand thoughts running through my brain. I am frustrated with waiting...wanted to start chemo by now so it can be done before Christmas and my graduation from PA school, but we are still waiting on test results.

I am so much more aware of other individual's needs and sufferings now. I have friends who are in daily pain, others who are dealing with grief and loss of loved ones, one that is wanting to have children but unable to.... Somehow, I missed this before, but now I am able to empathize with them in their situations. I'm thankful for my new insight and hope it will help me in my future career!

I recovered from surgery with ease. I still have days when my energy level is decreased, but I haven't had much pain and have minimal long-term adverse effects. My friends and family have been amazing for me!

I'm under great stress with trying to juggle my clinical rotations for PA school, getting my 3 children to school and their activities, finding time to study, and waiting to find out when chemo treatments begin - I am a 'planner' type of person, and right now I cannot even plan next week. That gets frustrating!

Waiting for results, decisions, dates to approach. Also, at the beginning my treatment plan changed with nearly every doctor appointment I had, and it was difficult to adjust each time.

My husband, friends, and God.

Despite the difficulties, I am staying on-track to still graduate PA school this December. My graduation date is the anniversary of the day cancer took my father thirteen years ago, and that has made for great motivation to continue my goals!

I took a leave of absence from school for surgery, but will be returning to "work" just four and a half weeks after surgery. I report to different medical clinics for training for school, and they are going to be flexible with me as I go through chemotherapy treatments. I will still have to keep as close to a full-time work schedule as I can, and I have to study every evening after working all day.

Energy level fluctuates so much. Some days I am bursting with energy and others I have trouble leaving the house.

Motivation to still reach my goal to graduate! Also, I have daily encouragement from friends and family -- that has taken me far!

Be flexible if you can. It's hard to plan ahead, but knowing and accepting that somehow makes it easier.

I haven't had too many yet. Praying that the effects will be minimal so I can still function as wife, mom, student, etc.

"Keep your chin up". Don't assume the worse-case scenario until you have the facts. Be prepared for others to control your life for awhile.