I have to chime in here, I also had (I hope it is had) a Gynecological cancer, total hysterectomy in April 09. It was discovered when I finally bit the bullet and decided to try IVF (how ironic). Anyway...a work colleague, and the person who I previously considered my best friend for 10+ yrs was so unthoughtful when I returned to work that I just can't forgive her. If you can believe it she said: "I was really worried when I heard that you were having a hysterectomy because I thought you would change. Remember 'named another work colleague' she had the same thing and she went crazy afterward" and I couldn't deal with her anymore. I provided the stock standard response (or defence): "Well, maybe she was reprioritising... when you have cancer you actually start thinking about mortality etc..." Her retort: She 'named the work colleague' didn't have cancer as far as I know, she just had the same thing done as you." This friend is the same person who I have had to listen to and research for every time she has a minor ailment. I am so intimately aware of every unusual bowel movement this person has because she describes it in detail, and her major concern is that I might go crazy, and affect her. On the chasm front, there is one woman at work who was so rude to me about the amount of time I have had off work that I couldn't help but play the 'cancer card'. She was so mortified when I told her, that she has taken to walking the long way around the office so she doesn't have to see me? Anyway, rant over ; ) I figured that people here might understand where I'm coming from on this one. ... View more