Susan: “I feel like we don’t talk about the changes to our sex life and how your cancer treatment affected our closeness.” (openly expresses her concerns to her partner)

Robert: “So you are concerned that we do not talk about how my cancer treatments affected the amount of sex we have with each other?” (Robert confirms that he understands what Susan said to him)

Susan: “Yes, I care about you and want to feel close to you, what do you think we can we do to feel close again and address the void between us?” (how can we work together, asks Robert what he would like)

Robert: “I am glad you said something to me. I would like to talk more about this.” (confirms that he cares, and now he can share his concerns openly)