Hi Karen,
I can so relate to this having been newly diagnosed (Aug 15th) this year. I get friends on Facebook - tagging me in on "prayer for someone battling cancer" or " like of you know anyone who is battling cancer" or Like of you know anyone going through cancer" " my most favourite (not) was "Repent and god will start to heal you"... Anyway I took a deep breath and posted the following "To all beautiful friends and family, I love you all dearly, but ask that you please not tag me in on cancer things, as I am not battling cancer, I had a diagnosis of cancer, I was proactive, had a double mastectomy and pathology confirmed it is all gone out the breast- chemo is an insurance policy in case a rogue cell went walk about" as Trip Neg does tend to do that...... I had a mixed response - from .. you are so brave Linda... and you are so positive... you are an inspiration .... geez no-one really listened to me! I think that people feel they have to do someone thing , one friend of 17 years just stopped communicating with me... and when i saw her she said .. i don't know what to say... OMG i am not dying here, i am fighting..and that does not need pity - so my friends and family are not allowed to forward, copy, paste and tag me in any cancer stuff - I can access that anytime - is the message getting through .. honestly.. No ...but I now block stuff off Facebook and send them a private message - - but now they say "she is trying to be so brave" lol.. no win for me!
I think cancer is a stigma and many years ago it was a death sentence - now as my breast nurse tells me...it is a speed bump in our lives and we move on - I so hear you and no you are not over reacting ... well done on coming up to your 1st anniversary - am jealous as my chemo starts on the 7th - only way out is through - so sooner start .. sooner end..
Hugs :-)
Linda
