Kyle,
    Young children often sense and react to family tensions even if they
don't know exactly what's wrong. Or Alex may have overheard some discussion
of your illness. Another possibility to consider given the nature of your
diagnosis and Laura's medical history, is that he overheard the word cancer
or breast cancer and thinks that Mom is developing a new or worse illness.
Thus, he may be clinging to you when she is out of sight and relaxing once
she returns because he fears she won't be coming back.
    Keep in mind that I'm just speculating and he could be reacting to some
entirely different change in his environment.
Susan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Cleveland, Kyle E." <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2003 8:42 AM
Subject: Re: Hey all


> Thanks for asking, Susan.  They're doing fine, although I have noticed the
> my little boy, Alex (5), has been incredibly "clingy" the last few days,
> especially when his Mom's not around.  He didn't want to sleep in his room
> last night, but wanted to stay out with me and "watch kid shows".  That
was
> fine with me and I didn't think too much about it, but whenever I left the
> room, even for a second or two while I adjusted the thermostat, he would
> freak out and ask where I was headed (with a good deal of panic in his
> voice).  I'm not sure what that's about, but it's new and I'm wondering if
> he overheard a conversation regarding my situation.  It's hard to tell
what
> kids are thinking at that age.
>
> Kyle
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Susan Moskowitz [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 6:41 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Hey all
>
>
> Kyle,
>     You make me feel pretty special too. Your reactions to this very
> stressful situation are quite normal, indeed I'm delighted to see that
this
> sudden change hasn't completely destroyed your sense of humor!
>      How are Laura and the kids holding up?
>
>                 Susan