Recently, we asked our Icon Facebook community to share their advice for telling friends and family about their diagnosis. Below is some of the personal experience they shared that may be helpful to you:
“Hardest thing to do, just keep it simple and honest. Be truthful and don’t hide anything.”
“Learn as much as you can first and then tell family. That way you can give as much info as possible. Helped with my kids.”
“Being open and honest and raw with loved ones. We cried together, laughed together and nothing was off the table. We addressed everything and anything. There would never be an elephant in the room.”
“It was very difficult but I put myself together and I told them. They were very supportive and full of love and understanding.”
“It was really hard to tell my adult kids, but honesty is the only way because they need the facts to understand what’s happening. They’re part of your village and you will need them for strength, you just don’t know it yet.”
“My cancer was found while having a routine check for something else, so I was so shocked I just couldn’t hide that something was wrong. So I sat family down and explained what I knew at the time. Since then I have involved them in every appointment, treatment, surgery etc. I feel the more they know and involved the more prepared they are.”
“We were very upfront with everyone about my hubby’s cancer. We wanted to increase awareness of the occurrence and to make sure that others are having precautionary testing on a regular basis. Early detection is a life saver.”
