[LookingforCalm]

I am a very lucky person who has risen through the ranks at my job, mainly because my boss believes in me and appreciates my work. Not too many people can say that about their jobs, but I love and respect many with whom I work. Especially him.

Now, I've been sworn to secrecy until he tells everyone the news, but he is very sick. Since I have the benefit of anonymity here, I feel like this is the perfect forum in which to spill my sadness.
Although he hasn't been given "the sentence", what was once thought in remission has come back and no one knows how long he has. He says he'll be in treatment for a few years, for which of course I am crossing my fingers and praying like mad.

I'm a lucky person who has reaped the benefits of a fantastic boss, and my heart is absolutely broken for what he's having to go through. He is still pretty young (barely in his 50s), and has told his wife but is terrified of telling his family (especially his young children who are barely out of high school) because he doesn't want to worry them until he gets "the sentence".

I've held my head up high all day after receiving the news this morning, but I did cry a little after he announced it. I don't ever cry at work, but I was in such shock and my eyes welled up and he just looked at me with such determination. But I could tell he was sad, too. He hugged me, and my heart broke more. Admittedly, I lost it a little. I haven't really let myself feel until now, which makes me feel even more selfish because I cannot imagine what he's feeling, although he is trying to stay positive. And I've cried so hard that I could hardly breathe.

It's funny how sometimes your work family can become your second family.

He's a wonderful man and a great boss. He adores his wife and kids, and I know that while he may not "love" his job - he loves us. The people who work for him. He's just a good guy.

Any advice for not making him uncomfortable since the news? I am usually one who has a good sense of humor, but it's hard not have that look that I know people dread when they tell others they are sick. Sadly, I have been through this before and have lost those people. I hate this so much...

Thank you for letting me vent...

[Little Lulu]

It sounds like he is as fortunate to have you as you are to have him. Co-workers do become as family over time so it is no wonder you are sad. Just knowing you care about and support him is probably the best gift you can give him.

[Perna]

It's my understanding that one can go in/out of remission a couple times before it becomes time for palliative care instead of continuing to fight. The doctors are not going to treat him if there is no longer hope of remission so I would hang onto his faith in his doctors' and live more in the moment rather than thinking ahead to how sad I am going to be later.

You could get run over by a car tomorrow and predecease him. We cannot know how long we have and eventually it will become common knowledge if he becomes that sick and everyone will be grieving/working together. That is not yet though so just work with what he is doing now and being with him now instead of preparing for a future you cannot know.

[Keyslost]

It's hard to lose the good ones after getting to know them. Probably some part also being that finding the right place with the right people can be rare.