Do you Tell Family, Friends & Co Workers about your Cancer?

When I found out I had Cancer, I was relieved since the diagnosis was a long time coming. People knew something was wrong with me due to my symptoms. What I really came here to say is that I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support during my journey. You might be surprised what all the prayers and positive thoughts do for you. To this day, and it’s been 9 years, I get emotional thinking about it. Of course, do what’s comfortable for you. You need to save all your energy for treatment and healing. It’s not your job to comfort others about your illness. Everyday put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.

I think how one handles this may be influenced by the type of cancer one has. Only about a dozen non-medical people, and that includes family. know that I have CLL. I am in the watchful waiting stage and hope to be there for many years. I do not want news about it spreading and having assumptions made about it or having questions asked.

Living with chronic indolent cancer, ET. If I had it to do over, I would have told children and siblings to be alert to platelet counts. The genetic mutation is spontaneous, but a tendency to mutate may be inherited.

I would have told no one else other than spouse. People will be in your corner for an acute cancer, but one that is incurable and unfolds over decades--nope. Some people just think you're faking it because you don't look sick. Others decide they're qualified to give you medical advice.

I remember the first time my doctor told me, I sobbed and sobbed. Its not even because I have the diagnosis because I have two kids who were 5 and 3 year old who I was looking forward to raising them. Everything went dark for a day, that same night I prayed not for cure but more so for the strength to accept and deal with everything going forward. Its been 4 years now on and off the HU but now I am on it for good. I am 47 now taking 1500mg which is a lot for me but hopefully it works and on my next appt we will drop the dosage I will be taking. Till this day I haven't told my mom and dad, they are elderly both with HBP and other issues. I feel bad but in a way I am protecting them from the worries that will completely shatter them. My husband and 4 people in a family knows. Its hard to talk about it but it helps. Hung in there!

One thing I’ve found is there will be some people that care, and others, although they care will avoid you if possible so they don’t have to talk about it. I kept my diagnosis to my wife for a few days, and I knew she wouldn’t be able to keep it contained because ultimately, it affects those closest to you. As the word filtered out into the general public, it was interesting to see friends that I wasn’t super close to, turned out to be some of the most caring and supportive. It’s been almost a year and a half since my diagnosis and I’m on a watch and see plan. I get my blood checked monthly so if there’s anything that needs attention we will be on top of it. All in all, it is a life changing event.

So much there I identify with! I never told my mom, either. Wishing you a happy day!