Jana Rosenblatt aka Ultra Chick, diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer, maintains a website resource for women facing cancer and going through chemotherapy and radiation called Chemo Chicks. It is a community created for women to share experiences, find practical products and read articles that offer information and resources. One of the sections within Chemo Chicks is Excuse Me?! It's not easy being a cancer patient. The reasons are obvious, the list is long. But what is sometimes equally difficult is dealing with the incredulous things other people will say and do when they find out you have cancer or when you are not looking your best as a result of cancer treatments. Over 40 women have contributed stories about the well-intentioned but -- bless their hearts -- insensitive stupid things people can say.
Carolyn submitted a story about the local UPS guy who asked her, "Are you terminal?" She was stunned and grateful she had a sense of humor. Or Louise, who said she finally was strong enough to get out of the house after months of treatments, when she ran into an acquaintance who asked her how she was doing. When Louise answered, "Well I am just getting back on my feet and am still having trouble with side effects." Her friend replied, "What's wrong, you just had breast cancer? I had no idea you were still sick, most people get over that in weeks!" Or Duckie, who got worn out after being repeatedly asked the following questions (Duckie's commentary is in italics):
- "You look great for someone just diagnosed with cancer!" How is someone just diagnosed with cancer supposed to look?
- "Can I feel it?" I swear.
- "Are you going to live?" I don't know, are you?
