It's Not Contagious, But It Changed Everything!

Over two decades ago when I was first diagnosed with essential thrombocythemia (ET)—a rare chronic blood cancer—I braced myself for many things: unfamiliar medications, long-term uncertainty, the emotional toll. I expected to learn how to live with fatigue, bruising, brain fog, and most recently, injecting Pegasys interferon.

What I didn’t expect in all these years was how my diagnosis would change the people around me.

I thought my relationships would grow stronger. I thought family would rally. I thought close friends would stand beside me. Some did — but many simply… didn’t.

Feeling unsupported by others

One of the first things my own mother said to me was, “How did you get this? Not from my side of the family!” As if illness required blame. As if it was something shameful. As if I needed to explain myself.

And at work? Coworkers actually spread rumors that I was faking my diagnosis—because I looked “normal.” As if having a chronic illness requires a visible sign, a permission slip for compassion.

There’s a unique kind of grief that comes with invisible illness. You mourn the life you had. The person you were. But sometimes, even more painful, is mourning the people you thought would be there—and weren’t.

I didn’t need anyone to understand every detail. I didn’t expect anyone to fix it. I just wanted presence. A simple “I see you.” But often, silence took the place of support.

Finding people who stand by me

And yet… in that silence, something beautiful happened.

I found you—my MPN brothers and sisters. Strangers who became family. You didn’t flinch. You didn’t question. You didn’t walk away. You knew the language of this life because you were living it, too.

And my husband—he has never left my side. Through injections, appointments, fatigue, and fear, he has been my constant. My rock. My one true family support.

Living with ET changed everything. It rearranged my body, my emotions, and my relationships. It taught me who truly sees me—not just when I’m smiling, but when I’m breaking.

No, my cancer isn’t contagious. But it is revealing.

To those who stayed: thank you.
To those who left: I release you.
And to my MPN family: I walk with you, always. 💜

#MPNStrong
#ItsNotContagious
#InvisibleIllness
#HusbandsRock
#25YearsStrong

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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