Hello Janiepooh_7.  I expect your mum-in-law is at sixes and sevens herself and doesn't know how things are going to pan out.    You could ask her to let you know - when she knows more herself - in what ways she could appreciate some practical help.    You don't say what commitments you already have yourself but you need to be practical and realistic about what you can do.  You will also need to look out for your husband who will be going through a whole bag of emotions.  There is a lot of helpful information on MacMillan Cancer Support about talking to children when an adult has cancer - I attach a link which may be helpful.  I always say that you should remember that the person with cancer is still the same person they were, with their individual likes and dislikes, interests etc.  I mention this because on caring for friends in the past they have mentioned that they don't like people tiptoeing around them as they don't want to feel that they are sort of being written off suddenly!  Yours sounds like a fairly close family and I hope you will pull together without too much difficulty to get through this.  I very much hope that your mum-in-law will get through this without too much discomfort and worry.  Annie

www.macmillan.org.uk/.../talking-to-children

Thanks for the love, its so encouraging to hear well wishes for her and our family. My son has aspergers which means that chat will be a little tricky. Doable but tricky. Thanks for the link. 

She’s a soldier-on sort of person. Doesnt like a fuss being made. We have tried to chip in with running the business over the weekend here and there. Think I will just casually remind her that we’re all there for whatever she needs, she just needs to ask. 

On a side note Im thinking of a monster sized scrapbook for her to read on her not so good days...

x