Dear Kelley,

I am glad that you have a close relationship with him, because it certainly makes a huge difference to how you can handle this kind of situation.  Just remember that ALL teenagers go through what I like to call the "grotty" stage, the most important thing is to keep communications open, which is what you are doing!

I have also started writing down stories about the girls when they were little in leather bound books.  I plan to give them to them as gifts on their wedding day - just something small & personal from mother to daughter.

I was thinking as I was reading your story about Pete that if he is sensative he might even just like a little note left on his pillow, so that he finds it at night when he is going to bed.... I really believe that as long as you continue to talk to him, then it will be OK once he gets past the grotty stage.  I also answer the girls questions honestly about my illness and the pain, I don't keep it from them, because I was doing that in the beginning & discovered that it was making them worry more, because Em (My eldest) spoke to her friends mum, who just happens to be one of my closest friends.  That is when I really started to change the way I handled the situation around them and that is when we started the journals.

Best wishes to you & Pete

love & warm gentle hugs to you both

Jo (Australia)