Why People Play Down Blood Cancer and How To Deal With It
There’s been a lot of talk lately about having our cancer diagnosis minimized, and I have to say that I have experienced it myself and know many people have. Why does it happen, though? In most instances when people hear the word “cancer,” the world stops and the sky comes crashing down. Why doesn’t that hold true when people find out it’s blood cancer, specifically?
Can you shake off blood cancer?
“Cancer,” it’s a serious word and it causes serious reactions. I have never met anyone who didn’t hear their diagnosis as cancer that didn’t instantly feel like they were punched in the gut. The part that came after, you know, the one where the doctor said what kind of cancer it was? Well, that mattered less because, after all, the part that really stuck with you was that you have CANCER. It’s a normal response!
This all holds true, well, that is, unless you are a friend or acquaintance or nosy total stranger to someone who has blood cancer - then it’s suddenly more like, “Cancer? Ehhhhh, you can probably shake it off. You look strong.” Yeah, I’ll shake that cancer right off, thanks!
Seriously. As soon as you tell someone you have lymphoma or, heaven forbid, one of the lesser known blood cancers like PV or MM, people kind of get this “oh, ok, you don’t have real cancer I get it,” look. As if you are just using the word “cancer” to drum up sympathy and good vibes from people because, you know, you are a total monster.
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