My Niece Candy and Her Daughter, Nicole...

Candy saw the specialist today about her continued laryngitis.

They're going to do an emergency biopsy this coming Monday. The doctor who saw her is pretty well convinced that Candy has throat cancer -- but of course the biopsy will tell the tale.

Meanwhile, her daughter Nicole, who is nine years old (as of this past March) is having her tonsils out on Wednesday.

Needless to say, with both her grandmother (sister Sue) and mother (Candy) in near hysterics, I'm sure the child is even more nervous about her own surgery. (She's been having some stress-related issues lately, as it is...)

I suppose we should have suspected the possibility of cancer, but I have to be honest and say that I didn't. But as Marilyn mistressmarilyn said when I phoned her (pulling her out of her Staff Retreat meeting... sigh), we should wait to hear the results of the biopsy before really reacting.

We have another good friend dealing with cancer. I think I've mentioned before that his wife Liz will have her surgery on August 7 (and has been going through cancer treatments).

On the 'good news' side, Candy just got certified as assistant manager of her store, which will mean more pay and more hours. But the timing is rough here. They can't afford for Candy not to be working and bringing in an income, but what can she do? As it is, she's been working all this time with barely a voice...

Any good thoughts (or prayers) you care to send their way are much appreciated, anyway. Thanks!