Friends!!

One thing that everyone in cancer treatment needs is a strong support network. We're facing an uncertain future and people are uncomfortable talking about cancer; especially to the person who has cancer.  
We understand that there is no right or wrong way to talk about advanced cancer. There have been so many great advances in breast cancer treatment that it's often difficult for friends to process why treatments haven't been successful for Karen. Unfortunately much more research still needs to be done. 
Luckily Karen has friends who have her back. Dropping by with homemade soup, sitting for a knit and bitch session, spending an afternoon watching sports, hugging and weeping together; it's all special and wonderful. Our Art Party friends have been real pillars of local support.
Friends further afield have also made efforts to call, text, write and even visit. 
For me as a caregiver it has been a difficult learning curve as I discover how best to support Karen and what to delegate and what to let go of.  Luckily our cancer center has social workers to work with spouses and caregivers. I'm still working through the complex emotions that go with being the spouse of a cancer patient, but I'm finally learning how to delegate, accept help and care for myself.  
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to our friends both near and far for the love and support. 

                                                                                                                                                           Friends with Van Gogh Socks, photo by William Evertson

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