I think there is a point, strictly a guess, that some people reach where the decide that they don't want others to go through the pain that they will be losing a friend soon and so they clam up on just what is really going on with them when it comes to cancer or any other condition that is known to be acutely terminal. So I suspect that was what your ex was doing, trying to save you some pain and suffering.
There a plenty of stories on cures that have been found and quickly squashed out of site by the government. There is a doctor in Stafford, Texas that used to work in the Houston Medical center that has a cure and the State of Texas medical licensing board has done all they can to ruin him and force him to close, look up Stanislaw Burzynski and the Burzynski Clinic if you ever get bored and want to read his story about how they have set about to get him out of the picture.
Shortie is exhibiting signs of real talent in the doll clothes arena and the post you did even strengthened her commitment to designing doll clothing that is just like the fashions of grown up runway models. She really liked that story of yours.
I think I will end up taking a few days off or least be in town the week the girls are gone so that the boys don't kill each other in case they are still feeling cheated. I agree that it is probably a net good for all, otherwise I wouldn't have decided in favor of the trip.
Thanks for the continued support and great comment.