CancerCompass message board discussion started by earthfee on 2/20/2008 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,21152,0.htm Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ My grandma, 83, has just been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer (spread to lymph nodes, lung, and bones).  We have a small, close family and I am very close with my grandma.  The family is prepared for a long, emotional journey.  We have a good support system between family and friends.  A little background---I live 3 hours away from my family, including my grandma.  She just got diagnosed and I have yet to go home to visit (but I will be very soon).  My question is, what is the 'right' way to react.  I have a feeling I will break down and cry when I first see her.  But I don't want to make her feel like she has passed already.  I don't want to pretend nothing is happening.  But I also don't want to 'gush' over her like she is going to pass away tomorrow.  I am not sure why I am so confused with emotion.  This is not the first person in my life to go through something like this.  Any advise on excepting this news and coping with the reality of it all, would be much appreciated. Many thanks,  earthfee Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT