Telling people you have cancer ... How do you do it?

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  • jazalea
    jazalea Member Posts: 27 Member
    edited March 2023 #22
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1704175#Comment_1704175

    One of my coworkers, a man, said "you don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to". I got the idea he would have preferred not to know. Everyone else has been supportive. I go back to work next week working from home. And going in to the office in two weeks, so that will be the real test. But I feel it was the right decision to tell people. Because I know they're wondering and talking anyway. It feels like addressing the elephant in the room. As the weeks pass I grow more and more comfortable talking about my breasts. Haha. And I feel it was better to get out in front of it and announce it rather then tiptoing around the issue and people not sure what to say to me.

    The real test will be when I go back to the office.

  • jazalea
    jazalea Member Posts: 27 Member
    #23
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1704176#Comment_1704176

    I love the idea about the earrings and its my new look comment! Perfect. Invest in some fun earrings and scarves too work well with short hair. I recently bought some turtle and crab earrings (my sign is cancer) and they are fun to wear.

    I find since having cancer I am less and less concerned about how I look, which is a blessing in its own way. Right now I have a drain under a lose baggy shirt. Which looks awkward and at best as though I have a beer belly. And recently my fourteen old son told me he had no idea I had drains. It shocked me. I feel it is SO obvious walking around with these bulky things under my clothes all the time. He didn't even notice!

    My point is that most people are so focused on their own lives they will not notice your hairstyle change.

  • LIYAH
    LIYAH Member Posts: 5 Member
    #24

    Good Evening my friends, I just wanted to quickly share a song that I thought would be helpful for anyone. This song has inspired, motivated, and uplifted me in spirit during the times even when I was being bullied by people in the public eye during my youth teenage and even now years. I wanted to share a few requested songs you can enjoy on youtube, radio, Spotify, amazon alexa music, etc ... battling breast cancer, losing your hair, and not having the support or any friends,

    *Unpretty by TLC

    *What About Your Friends by TLC and many more


    Peace and Love Enjoy!!!

  • Tamiann
    Tamiann Member Posts: 23 Member
    #25

    Jazalea, I completely understand your hesitation. I told my management team and those I work closely with, and it was a blessing to have open, frank discussions with them. Everyone else hardly knows I was out - I work from home, and didn't take much time off (which - in retrospect was probably not a good idea) so it's been a non-issue. I have not posted anything on social media, and only told close friends about the diagnosis.

    One of the most frustrating things I've heard from friends is "You're strong - you've got this." I know they are trying to help, but when one is scared, in pain, trying to figure out what symptoms are "normal" or something that should be followed up on, the last thing you want to do is have the expectation that you have to stay strong for someone else.

    Anyway - don't feel like you have to tell anyone if you don't want to. It's a very personal choice and your experience is yours, nobody else's.

    Best wishes to you and everyone reading this - take care and know that you matter.

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