A cancer diagnosis affects not only the patient, but also Family Caregivers (FCs) and close friends. The purpose of this study was to obtain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of FCs living close to a person with cancer. A convenience sample of 15 FCs, five men and 10 women age 35 to 77, was recruited through the Norwegian Cancer Society’special interest groups. Nine were spouses, five were sons/daughters and one was a sister. FCs participated in individual interviews using a thematic interview guide. Audio-taped interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative hermeneutic analysis. Two major themes emerged from the interviews: The first theme that became apparent was that living close to a cancer patient over the course of his or her illness affected many aspects of FCs’ lives in significant ways. Most challenging were changes and disruptions in daily life, more responsibilities on the part of the FC, changes in roles, social life, in relationships and personal strength in different ways than before. The second major theme was that living close to a cancer patient is to live and work in a world of constant tension, conflicting interests and dilemmas. FCs experienced a constant need to balance different demands, needs, the known with the unknown, and to manage uncertainty and the experience of being helpless and skilled at the same time. This study contributed to deeper insights into FCs experiences than previously reported in the literature. It also became apparent that FCs could greatly benefit from support that help them fulfill their desired roles as primary source of social and emotional support for patients, while being able to maintain their own health and well-being at the same time.