Went thru this with the wife this past 2 years.
Can't help you with the laughs, but Cancer sucks.
We Got a card from my niece, who at that time,
her mother was also fighting cancer (a 20 year battle for her).
My Sister in law, and the SO, fought it like hell, but
ultimately lost their battle last year. Once in the lymph nodes,
all options for surgical removal go away. This was our case.
Marianne was put in palliative care upon discovery.
Good luck to you.