The Negative Space

09/10/2026

First round of immunotherapy and targeted therapy for liver cancer starting today!

I'm wearing a necklace I got from a wonderful supporter of The Negative Space, all the way in Italy, which says NON MOLLARE, meaning "Don't give up." ❤️❤️❤️

Praying for minimal side effects today and in the weeks to come, but maximum impact.

09/09/2026

You have the power and opportunity to be a safe space for a caregiver in your life by avoiding a few phrases and replacing them with others.

09/08/2026

Update on Sean

09/03/2026

Join us for a free virtual support group for caregivers of all kinds on Wednesday, September 9 from 6-715pm CT.

That evening we will discuss the pros and cons of publicly revealing your loved one's diagnosis - the topic of the most recent episode of the In Sickness podcast. Listening to the episode is NOT a prerequisite for attendance. Hope to see you there!

Register here: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/29155

09/01/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE!

EPISODE 134: To Share or Not to Share - The Pros and Cons of Publicly Revealing Details of Your Loved One's Diagnosis

The decision of how much to share about a loved one’s illness publicly or even with family is a personal one that can have both positive and negative outcomes. The situation can be even more complex when the caregiver and the person being cared for have differing opinions on the matter. In this episode, we dig into these nuances and share how we have handled this in our own caregiving lives.

How do you decide what and how much to share? Do you and your loved one agree? What happens if you don't? Let's chat in the comments!

Listen to the episode and join us for a virtual support group on this topic on Wednesday, September 9 from 6-715pm CT.

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for Support Group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/29155

08/31/2026

Guess who's NOT sitting next to Sean as he gets his IVIG infusion at the clinic today??? ME!!!!

I had a scheduling conflict come up today, which nudged me to find a friend to accompany Sean. The result?

✅ The friend is delighted to be able to help and to have these hours with Sean

✅ Sean gets time with this friend that he's been wanting to see

✅ I didn't have to cancel my meeting AND I didn't have to go the clinic two days in a row this week!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

I'm struck by the fact that if it hadn't been for this scheduling conflict, I would not have considered asking a friend to go in my place. But look at all the benefits that came from it!

There are certain types of appointments that I would never miss, but today helped me realize that there are some that I can. Perhaps I should take my own advice more often that Delegation is a Form of Self Care because as I gear up for tomorrow's BIG appointments, having today at home was a beautiful gift.

How about you? Do you ever delegate appointments like this to others? Could you??? What might be the benefit if you did??

08/31/2026

Caregivers of those who have had Head and Neck cancer in the last two years - here's an opportunity to do a 60 minute interview and receive $200 compensation!

Tell them The Negative Space sent you and our non-profit will also receive compensation, which will go directly to the work we do supporting caregivers.

08/29/2026

We are once again in a moment of waiting.

The MRI Sean had two weeks after the liver ablation showed that the surgery had successfully removed the original three spots, but that new spots had already appeared. This tells us that this cancer is aggressive and that surgery will not be able to keep up with it.

Our Medical Oncologist is working on a plan for systemic treatment, likely immunotherapy, but we really aren't sure. We meet with him Tuesday at 5pm CT to learn what the future holds for us.

We've spent much of the last four months waiting - for results, appointments, procedures and this time we decided to do our waiting at our favorite place on earth: Lake Superior. Knowing Sean's brother's family was there this week, we made the spontaneous decision to join them and it was just what our hearts needed. Sparkly lake, s'mores, niece and nephew snuggles, the perfect view of the eclipse, time with Sean's brother and sister-in-law. All of it took our minds off of what's ahead and filled us with joy and gratitude for what we have.

08/19/2026

08/12/2026

Join us for a virtual support group on the topic of the most recent episode of the In Sickness podcast: The Hamster Wheel of Caregiving, on Monday, August 17 from 6-715pm CT.

Our support groups are free, held on Zoom, and open to caregivers of all kinds. Questions about what they are like? Send us a message!

Register here: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/28888