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CANCER ISN’T CONTAGIOUS!! (opinion piece) Why Suffer In
Silence! You are not alone !!  You have heard the side effects from chemotherapy treatment like hair loss, fatigue, and nausea. Yet, there is another side effect that many cancer patients may suffer in silence. Oftentimes, friends will shy away or even abandon you. Sometimes they stop speaking or calling you altogether due to your cancer diagnosis, especially once you announce you have cancer. This is the part of the cancer "diagnosis" that is the most hurtful and painfully. And what's worst is that we suffer in silence. We were friends for 30 long, happy years. It was almost like a marriage. Through sickness and health, through thick and thin, I thought I would have my two dearest friends by my side forever. Someone to talk to you or go to the mall with. Coffee, dinner, movies etc.. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that my closest friends would walk away due to a cancer diagnosis that was out of my control. I could feel the energy towards me changing and I knew I was not imagining it. Then came the day.  I received confirmation of what I was feeling. I was told by one of my friends that she just could not deal with MY cancer diagnosis. It is amazing that you can be dealing with cancer and fighting for your life while your friends are healthy and living it up and they tell you that your battles can be too much for them to handle. This hurt just as much as the cancer diagnosis did.  Fear and ignorance can scare friends away however, in many situations cancer has helped to create new friendships and brought people together. In living with cancer. You will learn to move forward and believe me you can get through this. Please don’t make the mistake of “walking away” or turning your back on a friend or family member. That is the absolute worst thing you can do. Sometimes, friends become strangers during cancer and strangers become friends. LET BE FRIENDS! Sharon S. Twitter - @SP4acure  |
