Stupid Things People Say to People with Cancer

A website dedicated to those with metastatic breast cancer published an article that I recently came across. The story was about the stupid things people say to someone with cancer.

Now, this is NOT and in no way meant to make anyone feel bad but to simply address the cancer elephant in the room.  

Quick background on my breast cancer situation

On October 6th, I underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction. I carry the BRCA 2 gene which puts me at a very high risk of the cancer returning.

A week and a half later, on October 18th I went back into surgery to have one of my nipples removed.

On October 20th, I received some excellent news that this cancer had not spread; I am a stage one Breast Cancer patient.

While the worst is behind me, I have months of recovery, reconstruction and another big surgery to undergo.

Again — this is not meant to offend others and perhaps it didn’t offend me (or maybe it did) but people do say the dumbest things to people with cancer…

Here are some of the things that people have said to me that have completely missed the mark, have been offside, insensitive and just plain stupid…

“Well, we had a good life – Cancer is our life now” WTF

“So when will you be better?”

“You don’t look sick”

“If could be worse”. (No shit, I’m grateful-but still!)

“All you need to do is think positive”

“How much did those implants cost?” 

“Why will you be taking CHEMO pills if they removed your boobs?” 

“You have cancer because your grandmother lived next to a chemical plant in Italy when she was a kid…?" 

“You don’t really need your boobs anyways…”

“Everything happens for a reason” 

Stay tuned… I’m sure more will be added to this list!