Oh, I don't even know where to begin on this one.
Every year we go away with a large group of people (friends and family) for a week and I'm dreading it because of one family (from our family). Absolutely dreading it! I'm such a horrible person...but they totally wreck it for me.

I talked to the mom of that family last night and I was totally upset afterward. I don't even want to go! But of course we have no choice. ARGH! HELP! It's only like 5 weeks away or something.
My ex SIL drives me nuts (which is my nephew Sean's mom.) She makes me crazy.

I cannot even begin to explain it. (Like she gets MIL to invite her to my FIL's 80th birthday party, gets MIL to pay for her drive down, and arranges to stay with my in-laws. No one in the family can stand ex SIL except for MIL. Not one of my in-laws 4 children stay with my in-laws due to ex SIL staying there. Meanwhile, my brother-in-law and his new wife of 4 years are completely beside themselves with anger over ex SIL being invited to the party. Bad vibes all around. Then at the party when it is time for the family group picture, ex SIL walks up and gets in the great big middle of it.

)
This gal is a piece of work and drives me nuts.
My son is going to a party for Sean tonight. I had to talk to his mom several times this week on the phone or text, etc. It gave me a headache.

She invites Chris for a party Fri. and/or Sat. (no plans) So then I asked when and where (because Chris had a thing Sat. which has now been cancelled.) And she says, "Uh, I don't know. What do you think?" (Uh, hello, I am not planning your child's party.) So, I say let me know when you decide.
So she calls again. Same line.
So she calls yet again. Same line. (Doug said he thinks she wanted me plan the party, have it here, do all the prep work, and pay the bill. I think he was right.)
So she texts, same story. Twice. "What do you think I should do for Sean's birthday?"
Then she calls again.
Then last night, she calls and a friend has a lake house and they are going there and can Chris go, etc. Finally a plan. (I think whoever owns the lake house is probably hosting the party and bought the cake and food etc. I also think it a parent of one of the boys invited to the party. I am sure she was trying to manipulate people all week.)
I LOVE my nephew, but his mother wears me out.
BTW, she has always been like this. This is nothing new or cancer related. FYI. I think that is why it grates on me so much.
Now all of that being said...
When I am forced to be around her, I find other things to do. 1) I help in the kitchen. ex SIL wouldn't be caught dead in there. 2) I go get my nails done. 3) I go shopping alone. 4) I get a "headache" and have to go buy some medicine. 5) I offer to do an errand like go buy ice. 6) I hire my MIL's cleaning lady to do some extra cleaning for them, so I can drive across town and pick her up and take her home. 7) I have to buy "X" because we will need the day we get home for "X" reason.
Not sure if any of these reasons will help, but maybe.
Also, get a new book, "That you just can't put down."
I am sure some of the other MAYers have great ideas. I may need some new ones.