The things that people say....
"I know just how you feel. My friend has been through that".
"You're lucky. Cancer will probably make you lose weight".
"Oh. Breast cancer? My mother inlaw died of that".
"I wish I had the...
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@K_LeeB, it is now four years since my "can can dance" with cancer and the helpful comments still smart.
There were many.
The comment that floored me came from a Bank Johnny. I live in a small town of less than 3,000 people. Mixed population of roughly 50 / 50 Australian / other cultures and Aboriginal. We are pretty cohesive and obviously know each other, particularly those of us who have been here three decades.
There are very few secrets. It is hard to keep anything secret in a very small town especially when many flight trips and weeks away are made to a major city, some 2,300 kms down south, for treatment.
Anyway, background out of the way, between trips down south I had a need to visit our local bank. New bank teller, a lady somewhere in her 50's (ish), the wife of a prison guard (they come - they go).
In front of every one lined up she says to me
"Oh, you're .......... with the breast cancer. My neighbour had breast cancer. She drank Aboriginal Tea. Cured her."
It floored me. As I walked out of the door, blinking back tears (the whole experience was still raw), one of my Aboriginal friends said to me,
"What's Aboriginal Tea?"
I replied, "Unsure, I thought you would know".
Bushells, anyone?