You will have to be very discerning as to his needs at any given time, not take things personally and try to reduce household stress where ever possible, especially at first when everyone is shocked from the new prognosis.

Sometimes people want to just talk and don't necessarily need any advice. Other times they may want you to tell them what to do. You will have to be alert to see what will serve him best at any given time. I also think it is entirely appropriate to express your own distress, especially if you have built a relationship with this woman as long as you don't go overboard.

It is hard to say if there is any way to bridge the gap between him and his father but if the opportunity seems really, really, really appropriate, you could gently encourage one or the both of them to try and mend things. I am sure his mother would be thrilled and they can, perhaps, start to move beyond their differences to help each other.

I am sorry this is happening to someone you know so well and I hope everything is as well as it can be in this sorrowful event.

You can be there for him by anticipating his needs - whether it's space, comfort, encouragement or just an ear. It's an extremely stressful time.

Be patient and kind, but most of all-- be available. Continue to hunt for a job, but don't let it get in the way of the most important thing at the moment. If you consider him your family, he must come first. Family is always the number one priority. If he wants to talk, let him talk. But don't pry, and remember to be helpful and stay out of the way.

I am sorry to report that I'll be no good for emotional advice here.

However, I would like to pass on the name of Dr. Gerson. Dr. Gerson created a diet and natural medicine routine that has been curing people of cancer and any other degenerative diseases at an almost 80% success rate. It's also insanely cheaper than prescription drugs. Dr. Gerson is survived by his youngest daughter, Charlotte, who runs the Gerson clinic in Mexico.

I know this might sound crazy, but I URGE you to at least bring the name up to the family. I mean, everyone has cancerous cells in their body and the body handles them all right unless the internal environment is conducive to cancerous growth. There's no rush to go to chemo and radiation - if you've been diagnosed with cancer then you've had it for YEARS because that's how long it takes to accumulate.

Anyway, TRY OTHER METHODS. I'm firmly convinced that chemo and radiation kills more people than cancer, just to turn a hard buck on their fear.