Sounds like you have a great team. I totally related with your wanting to protect your outlook. One bad story can screw your head up. I tried to remember that my prognosis wasn't as important as coming home that evening and playing with my son and being there for him, because every day was a gift. That wasn't always easy to do.
Maybe it's your openness that the staff and professionals at the office are responding to. If I'm going to stay late to work for someone, it's usually going to be someone that's open and nice.
RE: coping with the cancer and fear: Friend of mine said today that I went through the cancer treatment by letting my feelings out and talking about what I was going through. I think that worked for me. I work in an office right next to my friend who is facing a terminal prognosis. It's a rare lung disease. She has coughing fits at times and looks pale and tired. She is being very secretive about it to her kids and most of the people she knows, holding it in. She told our little group of women at work (lunch with four social workers and a psychologist every week can do wonders), but no one else. She always seems better after talking to us.