Mean, Median and Mode

These are things you learn about in Elementary School. Today, they took on a new meaning. Layne talked with the oncologist. One of the things he was able to find out had to do with survival rates. We were told when we met with him last week that survival rate for colon cancer is 20% within the first five years. (It's much better than the 8% we found in a study from 2004. We were hoping the odds were better now. So, that was a good thing.) We were happy to hear that it was better than we'd thought and moved on to another topic. Layne was told this time that the mean for his situation is 20 to 24 months. That seems so much different to me! When five year survival rates are discusses...I think 5 years. I don't think anytime between now and five years from now. Hearing your husband will be around for up to 2 years is much different than hearing five years. I know both eventually come...but, five years seems much further away than two. I spent a good part of the day processing that and having a few tears run down my face to match the rain that was coming down outside.