Ladies Educate Me please..

GSRon
GSRon Member Posts: 1,303 Member
in Breast Cancer #1

Not sure it is totally possible.. but Ladies educate me..  My new twice weekly routine is the get a 1/2 pint of blood removed.  So far this is done in either the infusion area or hematology area.  I see many women getting infusions... usually all alone. (sad).  Do or should I acknowledge them at all..?  Ignore them or give them a thumbs up, or..??    Obviously I am sensitive to what they are going through.. and do not want to add to their stress.. 

Thanks..

Ron - still a Neaderthal at times...

Comments

  • New Flower
    New Flower Member Posts: 4,294
    #2
    Friendly conversation is always good

    Hi Ron

    why not? Friendly conversation is always good

  • Cricket64
    Cricket64 Member Posts: 63
    #3
    Someone there, might be thinking the exact same thing.

    Althought, I don't often know the correct thing to say, it often seems better to try, then remain quiet.

  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #4
    Hi Ron!

    Of course 'acknowledge' them.  A smile and a "Hi!" would be appropriate.  If someone wants to talk - then  talk or more important let them talk and you listen to what they say, not what you 'want' (or think you 'should') hear.  We are ALL still the same person we always have been.  We were always unique in how we have lived and how we handle what we have to handle.  Some are very private and wish to be left in where they are comfortable so a simple Hi is non invasive.   But there are some of us who are very open and juat love to 'yak' about anything/anytime.  So smile and Hi but let the person be your guide.  Another 'thing' is whone finds offensive many others don't -  gain I can only speak for myself - anything HONESTLY said or asked is fine/great! 

    Do NOT assume that it is sad for every one you see at the facility alone.  I took myself to alp 16 of my Chemo's.  It was my choice - Hubby and Son would both/either have gone with me.  I did not want them there watching me be pumped full of 'poison'.  For the first 4 (A/C) I could have chatted with them but for the last 12 Taxol I would go "nighty-night" as soon as the IV steroid was started and wake up about 20 min. before end of infusion.   So to ME why would I have wanted them to sit there all tht time?  BUT we are all different!

    Winyon - The Power Within

    Susan

  • TraciInLA
    TraciInLA Member Posts: 1,994 Member
    #5
    Rague said:

    Hi Ron!

    Of course 'acknowledge' them.  A smile and a "Hi!" would be appropriate.  If someone wants to talk - then  talk or more important let them talk and you listen to what they say, not what you 'want' (or think you 'should') hear.  We are ALL still the same person we always have been.  We were always unique in how we have lived and how we handle what we have to handle.  Some are very private and wish to be left in where they are comfortable so a simple Hi is non invasive.   But there are some of us who are very open and juat love to 'yak' about anything/anytime.  So smile and Hi but let the person be your guide.  Another 'thing' is whone finds offensive many others don't -  gain I can only speak for myself - anything HONESTLY said or asked is fine/great! 

    Do NOT assume that it is sad for every one you see at the facility alone.  I took myself to alp 16 of my Chemo's.  It was my choice - Hubby and Son would both/either have gone with me.  I did not want them there watching me be pumped full of 'poison'.  For the first 4 (A/C) I could have chatted with them but for the last 12 Taxol I would go "nighty-night" as soon as the IV steroid was started and wake up about 20 min. before end of infusion.   So to ME why would I have wanted them to sit there all tht time?  BUT we are all different!

    Winyon - The Power Within

    Susan

    Definitely say hello, but remember they may be groggy

    Ron,

    I had my chemo in a communal infusion room at my oncologist's office -- usually 2 or 3 other patients there with me.  It would never have occurred to me NOT to say hello to my fellow patients!  

    I actually took it a step further, and baked cookies before every infusion (I was up all night because of the steroids anyway -- might as well make good use of it!).  I took one container for the office staff, and one for the chemo room, and passed them around.  Not saying you have to go to that extreme! Smile

    One thing to keep in mind is that most breast cancer chemo infusions begin with a large infusion of Benadryl, which makes most of us very sleepy.  For me, once the Benadryl kicked in, you could have danced the hula through the infusion room, and I wouldn't have known.  But, of course, that isn't true for everyone, and some folks are anxious and would love a friendly person to talk to.  

    So...definitely say hello, maybe a "how are you?", but be mindful if you just get a groggy stare back that they may be "under the influence."

    Traci

     

  • cinnamonsmile
    cinnamonsmile Member Posts: 1,187 Member
    #6
    I agree to say hi and

    I agree to say hi and knowledge them. If they want to talk, then talk. If they seem disineterested, don't be offended. We all handle things differently. 

    I would be one person that probably would say hi, then turn my eyes away. Usually, I am not much into conversation with people I don't know, especially at doctors' offices. Occasionally I may, depending on the topic.

    Don't feel bad if you meet some that don't want to talk and don't take it personally. Even if they don't want a conversation, a simple smile and hi may be just what someone needs.

  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
    just a smile and wave...if

    just a smile and wave...if they want to talk....GREAT...

     

    Denise

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