Somewhat Step related.  

DW got a call last night from her cousin's life long BFF. This cousin is not the normal run of the mill cousin.  This cousin is DW's closest paternal family relative, relationship wise, and they were each others first BFF as is not rarely the case between cousins.  What makes this cousin a cousinly unicorn is that she is DW's BioDad' brother's eldest and DW and the cousin are within months of the same age.  DW's BioDad was killed in a car accident before my MIL knew she was pregnant with DW. So all of her life DW has put her deceased never met BioDad on a mythical princely pedistle. This cousin is the real life manifestation of my DW's perceptions of BioDad. In my opinion.  DW was raised by her mom and her StepDad who was at the hospital when DW was born.``

Anyway, the cousin's BFF calls DW last night to tell her that the cousin has relapsed after being in remission with lukemia on top of battling HLH for about 6mos. She is now septic and progressing through total systemic organ failure.  If the cousin remains in the hospital she likely will live another 2 days or so. The cousin is insisting on going home. According to the Docs, the cousin will not live beyond a few hours once she leaves the hospital.  

So, I booked tickets last night at midnight and booked a rental car for DW to fly out this AM on a nonstop which will put  her in the cousin's city by noon:30. DW and the cousin's BFF will meet at the hospital to spend a bit of time with the cousin. The BFF is the only one other than cousin's DH who has approval for medical updates approved by the cousin (a HIPPA thing).

Of course DW is distraught. Which breaks my heart.  On top of that it is tax season and DW (CPA) is worn out after 15+ hour days starting on 14-Feb.  She has not taken a day off.  I have asked, tried to push her to take care of herself, to little avail.  I am worried. She nearly worked herself into the hospital in August due to stress and a depressed imune system resulting in shingles.

So, I keep the house presentable, do the shopping and most of the cooking.  I want to do more, but my help professionally would be to far more direct with her coddled clients and brutally direct with the managing partner of her firm regarding adequate staffing, etc...

For now, I will just hug my amazing bride through it as best I can.