I hope my message didn't create any offence to caregivers. I just want to share with you how my husband reacts to my illness now when I am in remission.When I was still fighting the battle desperately, my husband was much worried about me and when I was in severe depression, he shed tears many times. When my depression is over and the cancer under control, he feels more relaxed and always looks at things from a more optimistic angle, which seems to create a balance with my more pessimistic perspective. I agree with Deb that personality dominates our reaction as the patient or the caretaker. I would also add that difference in sex may lead to difference too. Like Ed's sons, my two sons also think that their mother has already passed all hurdles and cancer is no big deal. If they were daughters, I am sure their reaction might have been very different.Everyone and every family is different, for sure. But there may be some similar characteristics that we can discover and that is why we are here to share and listen.

Karen