What NOT to Say
Talking to someone with cancer or going through treatment is a tad, erm, awkward. I have been on both ends of this stick so I know how easy it is to put your foot in it. As some of you might know, I am what some might deem a tad 'over-sensitive' in general. Throw in a cancer diagnosis, a mastectomy, anaesthetic, fertility drugs, chemo drugs, sleeping pills, pain pills, nausea pills, steroids and a host of other drugs and, well, you will find someone who is REALLY tipping the MENTAL side of the cray-cray scale.
So here are a few topics to be a little careful with! Whilst most of these comments were pure daggers to my little heart at the time, I can now appreciate their hilarity so don't feel bad if you are one of the offenders.
WIGS
Before I started chemo there was a fair bit of chat about potentially getting a wig. The topic was brought up one day as I was driving somewhere with my parentals. My dad jovially says that I must let him know when I decide to go and try on some wigs because he 'could do with a good belly laugh.' NICE ONE DAD.
HAIR
A solid 10 weeks after losing my hair I was in the supermarket with my mum, walking down the toiletries aisle. After picking out some hair product for herself she asks if I am okay for shampoo. UM, I'm not sure if you've noticed but I DON'T HAVE ANY HAIR.
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| HAIR? WHAT HAIR? |
A number of people have brought up my upcoming hair regrowth saying 'Awwww your hair is probably gonna come back super curly', in a suuuuuper patronising way. I'm sorry but WHEN HAS A WHITE GIRL AFRO EVER BEEN A GOOD THING?
BOOBS
Just prior to my unilateral mastectomy I was talking about the op with a few of my gal pals. One of friends said how awesome it will be to wear backless dresses and not worry about bras anymore. JA, did I mentioned that unilateral means just the ONE boob is getting the chop.
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| #unimpressed |
Judge me all you like but I am definitely the kind of girl to dress up as some sort of sexy animal rather than a pumpkin for Halloween.
Given the current hair situation I jokingly said to my bestie that I could maybe do a Mad Max vibe for Halloween this year. I mean it is for sure a step up from a sexy mouse no?
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| Badass Cancer Victim Chic. Amirite? |
Please don't feel scared to talk to me and don't feel bad if you are one of the people to saying something ridiculous. People (MYSELF DEFINITELY INCLUDED) tend to say the wrong thing regardless of the situation! I guess my only real advice is to treat people going through this whole cancer business like they are NORMAL, avoid the word 'shame' cause nobody likes a pity party and don't point out that 'my eyebrows are really thinning out' because I KNOW.
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