The Negative Space

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

08/11/2026

Caregiving tasks, while important, can begin to feel repetitive and mundane, making each day feel like the one before. In this episode, we discuss the hamster wheel of caregiving, how it can lead to feelings of frustration or numbness, and how to find moments of joy amidst the routine.

Listen, share, and join us for a virtual support group on this topic on Monday, August 17 from 6-715pm CT.

Caregivers: Can you relate to this image? Does caregiving ever feel to you like being on a hamster wheel? Share with us in the comments!

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for Support Group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/28888

08/10/2026

This weekend was rough.

Sean had three liver lesions ablated on Thursday in an outpatient procedure. By Friday night he was in excruciating pain, just in time for all the clinics to close for the weekend. He isn't allowed to take ibuprofen because of his kidneys and can't take Tylenol because of his liver. We had a bottle of pain meds that I was counting out to see if they'd get us through the weekend as I know getting opioids refilled on the weekend is next to impossible. He spiked a fever and so I was taking his vitals regularly, trying to avoid another round of sepsis. I found in our supplies the spirometer and added it to the emergency basket, making him use it to ward off the pneumonia he just recently had.

I spent the whole weekend watching, monitoring, calculating, preparing to head to the ER. But by the skin of our teeth, we managed to stay home. His fever finally broke and his pain level has come down, but we're both worse for the wear from the experience. He is weak and exhausted. The countertop is strewn with all my documentation of hourly vital signs, when meds were taken, how many doses until we'd run out.

I share this not for pity, but to paint one picture of the reality of caregiving, of the weight we carry as we watch our loved ones suffer and do all we can to help, without medical degrees, training, or compensation. It is A LOT.

Caregivers, chime in: have you had weekends like this??

08/04/2026

We have been taking full advantage of these rare sweet days in between Sean's recovery from surgery and pneumonia and the next thing (ablation of 3 liver lesions) this Thursday.

We've spent time with all our favorite littles, went to see Hadestown in the movie theater, got time with our daughter, had visits from friends, and even had ice cream for dinner one night!

This life of ours has helped us know what things fill our buckets and to grab those opportunities every time we can, helping us to go into Thursday's procedure with full hearts.

What are your bucket fillers??