DEAR ABBY: I have been sworn to secrecy by my husband's 70-year-old grandmother. She was recently diagnosed with emphysema, and she doesn't want me to tell the family.
I am torn because I think my husband and his family should be emotionally and financially prepared. On the other hand, she swore me to secrecy because she doesn't want to be a burden to the family. Please help. -- PERPLEXED IN COLORADO
DEAR PERPLEXED: It's unfair for you to carry this burden of secrecy. Talk to her doctor and ask him or her to encourage Grandma to tell her family the whole truth now.