[monster]

It totally sucks, but:

::dons cellar-wrath-proof-armor::

Did he mention it was your cancer that was causing him the emotional distress? You didn't say that.

He's your favorite prof. You like him as a man, too. I suspect this is the guy you've mentioned before. You cried when he asked you to withdraw and said that it's "all you have". (That may be true, although I suspect you have many other things too, but either way, it's a helluva package to hand someone who'd just trying to do their job).

You are auditing the course, but asking him to make exceptions and grade your paper.

You almost read "date" into a discussion over a cup of coffee. I never went to a supervision in the UK that didn't involve a cup of coffee and we're a nation of tea-drinkers. it's a universal safe phrase -in most circumstances.

Maybe he did mean "date" by the cup of coffee. You like him as a man, if he likes you, you can't be his student if it's going to progress.

I sucks to hell and back, but maybe he has a point. You're clearly pretty emotionally dependant on him and this link to normality in what is currently a completely fucked-up world for you. None of that is wrong or abnormal, but it's a HUGE thing for you to ask him to deal with professionally. And if he fancies you too, it's even huger.

It totally totally sucky, but probably the best course for him if not you both. For sure take it further if you think you have a case -I think Shawnee's advice is awesome, but just be truly aware of what you are getting into. Is it really the cancer at the root of this, or something more ....ahem...personal? If it's the former, go for it with guns blazing. If maybe there's even a hint of the latter, be careful and decide what your absolute optimal outcome is before opening fire.