What do you tell people......

[wantalivlong]

......when you are tx.  Other than family and close friends that are there for your support, you may have people that notice changes in you and are prompted to start asking questions.  Since a lot of people here have are tx or have been through tx, I appreciate your input on this as I'm going in and pondering how I might answer.

Seens to me most would be more concerned with HOW got it instead of supporting you through the tx.  Just guessing but am I right?

Thxs

[Marcia2202]

I don't think his close friends will go to his job and tell people there.

Hey, how is tx going bro'?

Marcia

[Rockerforlife]

You say you told close friends?...and family...sorry...but dont be surprised if you worll place knows aleady...close frieinds have big mouths too...if you get the funny feeling they know at work?...they know.

[fretboard]

I have a similiar situation as I think if I tell the ppl I work with, it would not be in my best interest at all and I may be moved from the work I currently do, not something I want to do.  I told my one boss, the one that was buggin me like it was any of his business that I had a blood disorder.  I've actually been told by my old doctor not to tell anyone at work.  I think I may try joking around with it like telling ppl I have cancer of the testicles and I don't want to talk about it. lol  That would shut up some, but not all.  Unfortunately a lady I work with just went thru chemo within the last 6 months for breast cancer and she told everyone, including me.  Including more than I wanted to know, she will probably be the first one to get the cancer of the testicles excuse.lol  I'm still at the stage where I don't know what I'm gonna do.  Oh I have told close friends and family, I work in a gossip central, back stabbing environment.  It's a civil serviice job, so that's expected.  good luck    

[Kristina538]

I started treating without even telling my son (who knew I had a pre-cancerous condition).   Now, my partner, brother, son, cousin and one girlfriend know about the HVC.  

I took time off work for a type of 'chemo-therapy'.  My boss prodded for information and I said I wasn't prepared to discuss it when I hadn't even discussed it with my son and she would have to 'bear with me' as I didn't want to bring my personal stuff into work where I liked to concentrate on my work!!!    I've told the same story to friends.    

The people who continue to ask are doing so for themselves, not you..... so if pushed the 'rectal cancer' story sounds good and I may just borrow it!!!  

The people who ask few questions but offer assistance are the people who are going to be supportive.   You really need your space right now and don't need the extra mental pressure of other people's reactions.    

My partner felt a little 'isolated' during the first 4 weeks of tx, and we discussed who he could share his feelings with....one of his close mates knew I was on 'chemo' and that helped.   He's managed to come through without having to 'share' further.

I, too, would like to share my HVC status with the world.  However, I'm not up to explaning or defending the cause or justifying any part of my amazing life and don't want my family subjected to HVC political discussions either.   The important thing for them at present is my health, not my disease.    

[Isobella]

For me in the beginning, that would have been a very plausible excuse!!

I do have to jump on the FLGuy bandwagon...tell as few as possible.  Great advice.

No one at all would ever guess I was "sick"  (as long as I keep my eyebrows mowed, lol)  I wish I had told no one other than my husband and daughter.

good luck to ya =)

[jdwithhcv]

Believe me, it stops the whole conversation!