Cancer spreads beyond the host body. The impact of cancer is intense and far reaching. It does spread slowly at first and then quicker and quicker until it's a huge group of others to keep informed. There is the person first diagnosed, the spouse, the parents, the siblings, the children, the extended family, the close friends, the boss, the co-workers, the more distant friends, the acquaintances, the friends-of-a-friend.
All are surprised; "Brain tumor? At 31? How does this happen? How big is it? Can it be cut out? Is it cancer? Will there be treatment? Will there be personality changes? Will there be cognitive changes? What do you do next? What's the plan? WHAT IS THE FUTURE?"
They all want to know.
We all knew within time.
We still don't know the future.
*** End of 5 minute freewrite ***
This is just what came to mind first with only 5 minutes. I'll need a lot more time to even start at the beginning of the journey that was and is my husband's survival of a brain tumor. There will be more of the story coming.
Another aside, appointing a representative as the Information Giver to the different groups is extremely helpful! For example: for my family, who live in a different state, we funneled information to my sister who would then spread it down through the family. She'd be the point person for their questions back to me for clarification. OF COURSE, we never turned down texts of encouragement and prayer but to avoid the repeating everything, which is exhausting, this system was a sanity saver.
