Thank you for your concern on this matter. Being me and inquisitive about my health through epilepsy, migraines, emphysema and then cancer; I have followed your column since it began. Last Wenesday, I met with admissions nurse and staff from North Memorial Hospice and yesterday with my team nurse. Undoubtedly, the key to my ability to learn and understand how to live with my cancer since its 2009 diagnosis; radiation, chemo, etc. has been as my epileptologist said "my ability to understand and live through the stages of epilepsy I've had." They helped prepare me for the cancer and items I'd be confronted with, while maintaining the utmost neurological stability." If I lost that control, through my inability to change course when items got to a worry or fearful state--I'd likely lose my ability to face and live with these things emotionally.

I've met and learned from people far worse off than I was in my mid years of epilepsy, "on how to change course psychologically, so as to lessen stress, anxiety, depression, fear, etc. In fact, although Philosophy was my college major and Psychology was my minor after starting school during the last 6 weeks of the third grade, due to teachers concerns; "I have no fear of what the future days may hold, simply to control the pain."

Disability elements of life face and confront us all in different ways and the more understanding we obtain, the less stress will be eveident in our live's."

Sincerely,

Kay Kramer

Thank you Sheryl for asking. I am presently adjusting to Hospice in a<br>learning way, as I told the nurse the other day. I believe that this is a<br>gift that living through my stages of epilepsy has provided me with--"the<br>ability to learn, understand and accept what the future days may hold. I<br>faced fear during my Grand Mal and Jacksonian years."<br><br>Today, I have no fear, worry, or anxiety about what I may have to endure<br>cancer wise. They (Hospice) set me up with pain medications and directions<br>on their use after calling them.<br><br>I can feel the small physical changes taking place each day. I also have<br>begun not to face worry, but to face a little instability insofar as my<br>neurological medical control. I'll fight those changes to the end in<br>maintaining my emotional stability; even though Islet Cell is a slower<br>growing cancer (as since 2009) "once it's in your blood as it is mine<br>through the mestasation to the liver, it's in your blood."<br><br>Whatever will be will be and I'll take one day at a time. With my keys of<br>"Faith, Hope and Perseverance."<br><br>Kay<br>