Am I the only one with an issue with stranger hugs.

Carol,

I am sorry that you have to deal with another infection.  You should not feel badly as no one has a right to hug some stranger.   I am glad that you did educate her and she certainly needed to understand that for 30% of those who are diagnose, the reality is stage IV.  She needed to know that and it can't be said enough that more money is needed for research.  I understand that Komen gives less and less to research.  I can't get excited with Relay for life when they give out pins and banners with the words survivor on it.  Though the cost is probably minimal, adding it up across the country, might prove to be a lot and it could go to research instead of in someone drawer to be thrown out at a later date.

Thinking of you,

Doris

New Flower said:

Hi Carol

Carol,

 I am glad that you have been feeling better and strong enough to go shopping. 

Yes, you need to protect yourself and every cancer survivor should unddestand about low CBC and risk of infection.

As far as stage IV, it is a part of our life and I have noticed that people got upset or uncomfortable when we talk about it, So what? 

Have a nice day

Olga

 

Yeh, yeh, yeh, so we all belong to the same "club" having alll been diagnosed with breast cancer.  But it is NOT a country club!   I'm telling you, all this pink crap has made breast cancer feel like a big pink party to some and it's not!  I love you, Carol, and I hope I get to hug you when we meet, but that woman had absolutely no right to invade your personal space.  Under any circumstances!   And because she decided you had cancer and needed a hug??  Really?  From a stranger?   I don't think so.   It was nice that she acknowledged you rather treating you like the elephant in the living room.  Encouragement is great - this was just plain wrong on so many levels.

I would hope she and her friend learned a valuable lesson from you.  Ask before you make assumptions that your actions will be welcomed.

Ok, now I'll forgive her.  I've ranted.  She didn't know any better.  Now she does.  You just keep going out when you feel like it and be prepared with a response in case this ever happens again. 

Oh, and btw, I've learned there are a lot of women with alopecia who are as bald as a cue ball and never had cancer.  Many of them don't wear head coverings.  Does she go up and hug them and make assumptsions about them, too?  Grrrrrrr.

Suzanne

I have such a hard time with this too!  I try and educate everyone, but I keep hand sanitizer everywhere for the surprise attacks.  I hate touching hands, because as an NP, I know they are the biggest germ carriers.  Hand sanitizer in my purse, my car, my house and I had a huge bottle on my bedside table in the hospital.

CypressCynthia said:

Maybe we need to market a tee

Maybe we need to market a tee shirt that says, "Immunocompromised.  Please no hugs, coughs or handshakes!"

I like your idea of the T shirt.  Maybe they could be sold at all Cancer Centers.

This happened to me last night. Went to a graduation party for my great niece. She met us at the car.We hugged BUT when I got to the event she was sniffling and she had a cold.My husband didn't notice it(he said) and he sat right next to her. He had the flu shot but i'm allergic to it.  Also I had bronchitis for 7 months and still feel the effects.Have allergies now from it all.I guess my immune system is weak.After awhile I went to the car. Husband came and also our niece.Just told her I wasn't feeling that good and I haven't for months.I wasSorry to be that way but I have to be.

Most people can overcome sickness but some of us can't.When my kids were growing up I never got sick when they did and my other 2 didn't get sick.BUT it seems today when something is going  around it's serious. More and more die.AND of course those of us with cancer or any immune conditions we don't need to be around ANYONE that's sick  

Yes I'm bad and maybe worse than you.For years I watched others.Now it's kinda like a BIG FEAR.Oh and my husband also is a freak when it comes to wiping carts and using our hand sanitizer.For me all winter I didn't go in stores.Started recently and would you believe people all over the store are coughing.My husband and I go the opposite direction. Sickness is still around so I can understand your fears.Honestly the fears will be with me forever.

Oh and for me it's not just strangers I watch  the family.In fact most of my family's like me NOW.Never were and made fun of me.After my great grandson was born my granddaughters and my daughter-in-law are freaked on santitizing.They even told me to watch my purse in the hopsital and where to lay it down.I was  always the one who told them to watch butThen they passed me off.NOT NOW THOUGH they're as freaky as me.It eventually  rubs off. 

A real funny when me son was in the hospital,3 of us went to get the results and see the doctor after his  surgery.We walked up some steps. My daughter-in-law freaked when my granddaughter touched the railing as we were walking up the steps. Told her people put their hands on it and when we back to our area you have to wash your hands. 

A sad situation.My friend's aunt died after choking on her own vomit.She was healthy at 85.Active.During Christmas she got sick after the family came to dinner.Her Grandkids were sick.She lived  a few days when her lungs filled with vomit but she suffererd horribly

You're not Paranoid.You're Careful

Lynn Smith