Q My wife and I have been married for less than a year, and I was just diagnosed with cancer. Even more than my own health, I’m worried about what this means for our marriage. My wife didn’t sign up for this, and frankly, neither did I.

A I’m very sorry to learn of your diagnosis. Cancer is not an easy thing for any family, let alone newlyweds who are just beginning their journey together. Like most couples, when you pledged to love “in sickness and in health,” you were likely only thinking about the flu or the occasional broken bone. This diagnosis has cast a cloud over all of that.

Author Erin Prater has developed a list of tips for dealing with a serious diagnosis as a couple. I hope you and your wife will take it to heart as you look to what lies ahead:

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