Comments on: Not dying by degrees: illness misconceptions 101

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:35:11 +0000

Thank you! I am feeling much better now, and even more so for having got the above rant off my chest…

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 09:41:28 +0000

“Helpful advice” is right up there with “Oh I know what you’re going through because my great-aunt’s 2nd cousin’s friend’s dogsitter had that – and she’s just fine now – so no need to worry”!

Actually no one knows what you are going through – or what your family is going through – because it is personal to you.

And so “that sucks” is without doubt the most helpful response – followed closely by “I’m here if you need me”.

Needless to say – sorry to hear about your mystery illness. That sucks.

By: Alexandra

Alexandra — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:13:09 +0000

Thanks m’dear. I’m really feeling almost normal again, so whatever virus it was it seems to be packing its bags…

“Helpful advice” is a killer, isn’t it? I understand that people want to contribute, but a simple “hey, that sucks” is generally actually more helpful than semi-understood second hand tales from the emergency room…

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:30:28 +0000

Sorry that you’re going through this, it all sounds pretty sucky, whatever it turns out to be (and hopefully it’ll be something with an easy fix!).

I know exactly what you mean about people’s reactions to illness, suspected or otherwise, though. There always seems to be an “Oh, I know someone who had that!” story, that the person will gleefully re-tell, even although their grasp of the facts is seriously dodgy. And when Terry was first diagnosed with kidney failure we both got SO tired of having to answer questions about whether it was caused by “heavy drinking”. (Never mind that Terry hardly ever drinks, and kidney failure has nothing to do with alcohol anyway.)

Hope you feel better soon