Sadly I too have been amazed at peoples insensitivity and flippant approach to my diagnosis. I went in for a biopsy just before Christmas and everyone kept saying 'it will be ok, its nothing'. Two days after Christmas I got the phone call to tell me it wasn't 'nothing', it was cancer. The first friend I told didn't believe me and asked me if they were sure. A couple of weeks later after my first meeting with the oncologist when I told her I feel like I could fall apart she asked 'why, what do you have to fall apart about? The prognosis is good'. I seriously wanted to slap her. People that are not going through it seriously don't understand. My advice, don't let anyone belittle what you and your Mum are going through. They will never understand what its like as everyones journey is different. I found I had to educate people when they would say things that hurt me. When I heard 'your strong, you will be fine' I told them that my tears didn't make me weak, it just made them uncomfortable. When I told them I won't be able to have kids after my surgery and they replied with 'you can always adopt' or 'at least you have nieces and nephews', I told them that I wasn't looking to them to fix it, just to listen and hold me if and when I cried. Alot of what I say is ignored as they put it down to my being emotional due to the treatment, but I still keep hoping some of it may get through. I hope the same for you and your situation. And in the meantime, do what I call the Ally McBeal and bitch slap those fools in your head while smiling ever so politely. Sending you strength, patience and endurance for your journey. ... View more

I received my phone call two days after Christmas to tell me I had uterine cancer. Like most of you, I had never heard of it before that call. My surgery for a total hysterectomy is in two weeks time. I have never had children but had always wanted them and now that dream has ended. One of the things I have found the hardest is when people say "Oh well, you can always adopt". They just don't get it. So I have stopped talking about that side of things. When I say I have cancer I have also been told "oh its nothing, everything will be OK". Seriously, is there a class in saying dumb ass things to people? Try "I am so sorry to hear that". Do not tell me its nothing. It is a huge thing for me, even if the prognosis is good. I am having to deal with something major here so do not belittle it or me by telling me its nothing. Anyone else had to deal with these types of statements? ... View more