<p>Positive thoughts to you, Viewer, and congratulations to your son. It’s good he is not going far away for college at a time when you might need him (and he might feel he wants to be with you as much as possible).</p>
<p>As for your mom, that is a choice she is making and there’s not much you can do. My 83-year-old dad has ended friendships with people who have become bores or boors. Your mom may have to lose a few friends before she realizes that people do not enjoy the one-sided bragging. I don’t know your mom, obviously, but the carrying on may also be part of her coping mechanism regarding your illness.</p>