As the spouse, I must communicate with everyone involved in my husband's care. The communication is rarely positive since he has dementia as well as chronic health issues. His condition is not improving, some days better than others, but usually there is a problem that demands my attention every day. Family members are concerned and I know they are asking out of concern, but it is so stressful to be asked almost daily "How is he?" or worse when they ask for details. How do I handle this delicately, without hurting anyone's feelings?
If you contact them all by e-mail, do so in a group mail (or smaller groups depending on the level of relationship and/or interest - i.e., friends vs. family vs. co-workers, etc.) and state that you want to keep them informed and will let them know if there are any changes. In the meantime, you're trying to spend as much time with your husband as possible.
Let them know how much you appreciate their care and concern and emphasize that if anything of consequence occurs, you'll contact them.
Add that you're attempting to manage so many aspects of life right now and need to focus on your husband's care, but sincerely appreciate their concern and support.
You can send out updates weekly or so, if writing nothing more than that the situation either hasn't changed or the changes aren't major.
I do know it's hard for people to remember that you're probably overburdened now and long conversations don't help you with the downtime you need.
This way they know that if there are changes, you'll let them know.
I've done this regularly in the past. The only long term problem is that people came to expect the updates and eventually never even called!
I do some hospice volunteering and have learned to ask only about today and not ask about any medical details. If patients want to tell me about meds , their condition, or procedures that's ok but usually they don't.
In addition to the good advice from Garden Artist I would suggest a more head on approach. Simply tell folks that it's a very difficult time for you, things are going about like one would expect , you're very tired, and you'd rather not talk about it further at this time. Express thanks for their concern and let them know you'll talk to them later. Also, if there is any info you want to share can you split up the contact list among other family and friends? I've gone through serious medical issues with my folks and I'm the only living child. It's exhausting when you have to answer every phone call and call everyone who's in the loop.
If these are close friends or family members be direct with them, they will understand. I like Windyridge's advice, tell them you don't feel up to discussing it further, you are taking it one day at a time. And feel free to screen your calls, if you have an answering machine/service you can always get back to them when it is more convenient.
I sure sympathize.
When I talk to my friend whose husband has stage 4 cancer, I ask how she is doing. If she has anything to tell me about her dying husband, she will.