I ’m Sick — Here ’s How NOT to Respond.

Friends, listen. I have cancer.  It’s a potentially terminal type, but it looks like I’ll just have to take a couple pills every day for the rest of my life and be a little careful about the choices I make.  I want you to know that this means a lot will change, and you’ll likely see some impact.  Sometimes I’ll need to stay in bed.  Sometimes I won’t have much of an appetite.  Sometimes I may not be healthy enough to go out with you, or have the energy to do the things I want to do.  Sometimes I’ll cancel our plans, because I made them when I felt ok, but then I started to feel a bit sick. Sometimes I’ll be so focused on taking care of myself that I won’t get back to you for a while, but I promise I’m still a good friend and I still care about you. Sometimes I’ll pull away, not because of anything you’re doing, but because I don’t want you to see me when I’m feeling so ill, or see the effects of my condition. I want you to see me when I’m fun and feeling well.   Sometimes you’ll see some symptoms here and there, but for the most part, you won’t! I’ll be pretty normal, overall, and living a relatively healthy life, just taking the necessary medication and making sure to take care of myself.  Reality I have a confession to make. I don’t have cancer. For my friends who have survived cancer or who are fighting it currently, this is not meant to demean your survival...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Depression Personal Stories Stigma Stigmatization support Source Type: news