So yeah... read through the entire thread and have pretty much just been sitting on page 14 (the highest page number currently, without having refreshed) for almost a half hour or so it seems and I really can't think of anything to say, until now anyway. I'm not exactly the type to change who I am just because someone else has something going on. I'm still apprehensive of certain things regarding whatever association there lies between us, but then again I'm not the type to really hold a grudge either. Overall, in any case, there is no way I'd wish this even on my worst enemy and at the very least I never really saw you as anything of the sort.
Kind of sucks though, I read page one and all the way to page 7 I actually felt my heart beating in the back of my throat and my breath somewhat getting shorter hoping for good news, or rather better news than the alternative. The shock I felt when I read the news was something indescribable and one of the first things that jumped into my head was wanting to kick myself for having ever been at odds with you. It almost made me feel like the worst kind of person there is; but I won't dwell on it too much since you did say you didn't want this becoming some feel good thread type thing. However, I still felt I had to say something - I won't say anything has changed really, but I'm not a fan of being a dick so, whatever.
One thing though, do whatever you can to avoid hitting that breaking point like a load of bricks as you're anticipating. I imagine that's something that can't be avoided, and you're a better man than a lot of people I know if you can go through it all without simply "letting it all out" one day. But simply from experience in seeing how my own family has reacted, both those on the outside as well as those who were diagnosed with conditions, don't let it run you. It might even help those around you stay strong for your sake and on the whole things might not have to be as stressful. I had an uncle who had sickle cell anemia, and other than the hospital he checked into every so often, you never would have known he had a condition and I think that helped a lot of people cope with him throughout the duration.
So yeah, kind of shitty at how things can end up. If anything, I'd say a lot of people are on the right track in suggesting ways to help you cope with the side effects of the treatments especially. Whatever makes the process easier on you might help with things regarding everyone else around you. I think throughout this thread the thing that seemed most depressing was how often you mentioned how your mom was taking it. At the very least, consider it for her sake too.