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narwoo's avatar
narwoo
Member
9 years ago

insensitive responses

Hi all

I am not sure if I am being overly critical of others due to my own heightened emotional state, but I have had some poor responses from other people when I have spoken to them recently since my diagnosis last month. It started with my GP. The SA Breast screen people did all the testing and I was asked to either come back in a week to hear the results or go to my GP. I chose the GP. After a week of waiting to hear if I had cancer or not I sit down in the GP's office and she said "you know, don't you". I said "no I am still waiting." She then gives a big sigh and said "oh so I am suppose to tell you" and acted as if it was the last thing she wanted to do and that she felt put out.  I was not impressed to say the least. I can see her point of view as no one wants to tell someone they have cancer, but I also thought she was very insensitive. 

Last week after they found more cancer in a lymph node, I called 2 close family members and 1 person knew I was having a biopsy that morning and they all know about my diagnosis, This person also acted put out when I called them and immediately asks me to call back in 30 mins as she "was speaking to a friend in her home"  so was too busy to take my call. She knew I was furious as my tone changed , so she quickly back tracked and then reluctantly agreed to stay on the line.  Another person I called later that day was in meeting at the church as a volunteer and also told me they "couldn't speak to me right now." Jeeze it is not as if these people are running the country or sitting at the UN table preventing a nuclear war.   Other responses from others that have really annoyed me have  been "you will be fine" and "try to be positive". 

 I even called Beyond Blue one time and the female mental health worker responded to me as if I may have had a histrionic personality disorder who has multiple crisis's at the drop of a hat. ( I don't) I have only ever called them twice in my whole life.

Sorry just had to vent. 

Narelle

  • Sorry you got that response. Unfortunately lots of people just don't seem to know what to do when you tell them & just seem to panic! I've been there twice & find they either come good & supportive once  they have digested the info or don't. It's a time you find who your real friends are. Hope all goes well Janet G