They have no shame. Most of us would be mortified to discover we'ld showed up at a scenario where our presence was unwanted. Our mistake would have been inadvertant, and we'ld be tripping over ourselves to correct it and back off. Not these types. The more you don't want them there, the more they figure there is some juicy drama going on that they don't want to miss out on.

A cancer diagnosis has the potential for high drama. These types slow way down when they pass the scene of an accident on a roadway. The more the cops try to waive them along, the slower they go, craning their necks to try and see what the ambulance crew is doing with the injured occupants of the vehicles. Perhaps a tragedy has occurred. Oh, how tantalizing!. That's their mindset. Their lives are boring. Inserting themselves into your crisis is how they remedy the hollowness of their existence.

"I'm only here to see if I can be of help." That's their cover story. But they're takers, not givers. They are parasitic, emotionally feeding off of you. That's what makes their presence so noxious. They are voyeurs whose satisfaction in getting a "fix" overrides the embarrassment of being considered intrusive. "Move over and let me see!" is not the mindset of love and caring. Your MIL strikes me as crass and opportunistic. She'll get out of your hair only when she gets bored with being there. Don't entertain her. Interact with her minimally. She seeks stimulation. To her, being argued with is better than being ignored . . . just so long as she gets to join the cast of "the play."

I'm sorry your husband and you have to be imposed upon like this.