Celebrate the Holiday, Without the Cancer Advice

Over onCure Magazine, Martha Carlson, who is living with metastatic breast cancer, provides a bit of advice on how to enjoy the holiday, even when confronted by the unwanted offers of ' advice ' from the ' helpful ' friends and family you see at family gatherings. Everyone knows this type of people. They think they know more than you do about how to treat your disease, because:They read something about it onceThey saw something about it on TV or onlineThey are smarter than you and just know these things that your poor brain cells could never have found on your ownThey know someone who had a similar ailment a long time ago and their treatment must be better.They are positive alternative medicine will cure you instantly and you should not waste your time on traditional medicine.After living with metastatic breast cancer for three years, she has this advice:"Listen first.  I try to remind myself that she believes what she ’s saying, thinks it’s something I’ve never heard before, wants to save my life, and, most importantly, doesn’t know any better. I listen first, at least to a few sentences.Don ’t apologize. I do my best to not say “I’m sorry, but…” If I must be blunt, I simply say that I ' m following the advice of medical professionals I trust.Lead with a fact. I ’ve got several at my disposal, and which one I use depends on the conversation. Follow with a fact. The other common view I hear is about the value of alternative treatments, both ...
Source: Caroline's Breast Cancer Blog - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: ailments coping family holidays relationships Source Type: blogs