13th is a little while off so perhaps they think you will be ok for Christmas and stuff, then the worrying starts? Its not that bad really. I thought it was a humungous happening in my life but once done I realised I had worked myself up far more than I needed to. It is very hard sometimes not to.
I also think friends forget what's been happening. Take for instance two male friends at a morning tea who struck up boob jokes. Gosh I felt like lifting my top and saying joke at that smarties. People just forget I think.