The Negative Space

10/10/2026

We were honored to be part of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Twin Cities at the Mall of America this morning! The event recognized and supported caregivers with a Caregiver Corner where our table was set up. We love connecting with caregivers in the community!

10/05/2026

Dear friends, last week's MRI has shown a new, large invasive mass in Sean's jaw, near where his major surgery was this summer. We just got home from a CT scan, which will give the team more information about what we're dealing with. But a recurrence after four months is not good. That we're still dealing with cancer in the liver (in two weeks he has a liver MRI to see if treatment is working) is not good. We fear our options are dwindling. We imagine the weeks ahead will be full of hard news and conversations and we ask for your love and support along the way.

Sean says it all much more beautifully here: https://seanbreininger.substack.com/p/after-further-review?utmsource=share&utmmedium=android&r=3gbs3 to

10/01/2026

Back at the clinic (third time this week) for labs, nurse visit, and immunotherapy treatment #2. He's had no side effects so far and we pray that continues.

Initial look at Monday's dental MRI was clear, but we're waiting for the radiologist to read it and confirm.

Feeling weary.

09/30/2026

Join us for a free virtual support group on Tuesday, October 6 from 6-715pm CT at which we'll discuss the topic of the latest episode of the In Sickness podcast: The Aftereffects of Caregiving. The two former caregivers that we interviewed for this episode will join us for the session, but listening to the episode is not required.

Hope to see you there!

Register for support group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/29507

Podcast episode: www.insickness.care

09/29/2026

EPISODE 136
The Aftereffects of Caregiving: An Interview with Former Caregivers Rodolfo Nieto and Aaron Shipp

Rodolfo Nieto and Aaron Shipp were both spousal caregivers whose roles ended in different ways over the last two years. In this episode, we talk with them about the aftereffects of caregiving on their physical health, emotional wellbeing, nervous system, and sense of identity. This is a powerful conversation you don't want to miss.

Listen, share, and join us for a virtual support group with these two on Tuesday, October 6, from 6-715pm CT.

Listen: www.insickness.care
Register for Support Group: https://thenegativespace.charityproud.org/EventRegistration/Index/29507

09/28/2026

Whackamole. Triage.

Various members of Sean's medical team have used these terms in recent months when describing how we're trying to keep up with all that's popping up and then prioritize care. Today is yet another example of that.

The focus has been on the cancer in Sean's liver, for which he receives treatment number two this Thursday, but we can't ignore the rest of him. So at this moment he's receiving a state of the art dental MRI, brand new technology that will detect cancer in his head and neck.

While we are grateful to receive this technology, I'm terrified of what it may show. If it shows something concerning, a biopsy cannot be done because with his immunotherapy he's also receiving a targeted therapy that impacts blood vessels, so he can't do anything that may cause bleeding. If it shows something, we'll be at another moment of triage: determining which body part to prioritize. There is hope that the immunotherapy may help cancers in all parts of his body, so there's that.

Fortunately we will get the results right away today. So here I sit, at yet another crossroads moment, knowing that by the end of the day, life may be very different.

Please join me in prayer for clean scans, compassionate practitioners, and peaceful minds.

09/22/2026

Caregivers: we see you, we thank you, we have created a community for you. ❤️

At The Negative Space, we are driven to change the way caregivers of all kinds are seen and supported. Virtual support groups, coaching, the , and online content at The Storyline are all available to you at no cost thanks to our generous donors.

You are part of the story and we are here for you. Join us.

09/21/2026

On Friday night, The Negative Space was one of the community partners at author, activist, actor Tyler Merritt's speaking engagement in Minneapolis. The space Tyler created that night was one of love and belonging and being seen - the perfect place for us to connect with caregivers.

Every single person who came to our table had a story.
♥ Their mom is currently caring for their dad who has Parkinson's.
♥ Their parent lives in another state and is starting to show signs of cognitive decline.
♥ They just came from a memorial service for a friend who died of cancer.
♥ The acupuncturist who said a majority of her clients are sandwich generations caregivers in desperate need of support like what we offer.
♥ My favorite: the woman who, upon hearing we support caregivers, slumped over onto our table and said, "That's me. I'm a caregiver. I'm only here tonight because my daughter stepped in to be with my husband."

It was a night of connection, love, and support and we are forever grateful to Tyler Merritt for including us.

09/18/2026

Often the speaking engagements I do are for specific organizations and therefore closed to the public, so I'm thrilled to be able to invite you to this, which is free, virtual, and open to all! Join us!

The Midlife Academy welcomes caregiver advocate Allison Breininger for a free webinar on the realities of caregiving in midlife. Get practical strategies for balancing work, family, personal goals and the needs of someone you love.

Free Webinar: Real Talk on Caregiving in Midlife
September 25, noon-1 pm Central Time

Link to registration in the comments.

AARP MN The Negative Space

09/17/2026

Grateful to be part of this powerful event. Join us!