So you meet someone new and you find that you will make great friends. At what point do you bring up your life-threatening illness?
Aug 12, 2009
from
Anne Bouey,
RAPatton,
Ben Greenberg,
Parth Awasthi,
Steve C, Team Marina,
Morton Fox,
Cathryn Hrudicka,
Josh Haley,
Rodfather,
Capn' One Eye - adrift,
Scoble, Alex Scoble,
Duane @PreppyDude Myers,
and
Anika
liked this
For me it's when i feel they are worthy of sharing personal information. Not every friend is worthy. Fighting cancer since 96 has taught me that most people don't want to know what's truly going on in your life. "How are you?" is just a salutation
- Duane @PreppyDude Myers
After the wedding.
- Scoble, Alex Scoble
I agree with Duane-PreppyDude—when someone is worthy of sharing personal information and shows they are trustworthy. I applaud your courage, Michael, and wish you only the best. I will add that, although you may have an officially diagnosed life-threatening illness, none of us is immune from accidents, future illness, aging or death. If someone is truly your friend, and he/she has enough life experience, that will be in their awareness, part of life. You may live longer and more fully than someone else who seems healthy today. We all bring our own challenges to the table of friendship, including your new friend.
- Cathryn Hrudicka
If you have a radio show like Don Imus, you'd mention it in every show at least every 15 minutes.
- Morton Fox
It's impossible to tell how people are going to react. Some avoid the subject whenever it comes up. I can understand this and I don't press the issue. Some seem to be put off by the fact that I haven't locked myself in my room cursing the world (I might be exaggerating a bit here). And I'm talking about family and friends here. I respect their feelings, though, and I know it can be a bit awkward. It will be interesting to see how future friends react.
- Michael McKean
I'm bad at this. I have friends I've known for 10 yrs+ and they don't know what my health issues are. But the newer ones...I think I just like to get it out of the way. The last time I became real ill (5-6 yrs ago), I lost a few friends. I even managed to lose my best friend. It broke my heart and I'm still f-ed over it. But people should see you and not the illness. Good luck!
- Gabrielle
I'd tell them right away, in the course of getting-to-know-you conversation. That way you'll know from their reaction whether they'll end up being a great friend.
- m9m, Crone of FriendFeed
I'd like to get it over as soon as possible, but I kinda feel like I'm playing the sympathy card. Anyway, it certainly beats becoming attached to someone only to be crushed later on.
- Michael McKean