Bonnie, that is amazing that you found your birth mother after a life time, only to care for her. There is some kind of cosmic circle to that, for lack of a better phrase. Meredith, I understand your empathy. I always thought anyone else had it "worse" than I. But I learned not to compare. You know, in terms of cancer, my experience with the treatment for stage II may have been worse than someone's treatment for stage III. Like everything else, it's a matter for the unique individual, her coping abilities, support system, perspectives, and beliefs. L, PL