I don’t know what to do. Recently, a coworker told me that her 14 year old son has contracted mono. I’m struggling with whether or not I should tell her about the theory (the Charcot Project) that there might be a connection between mono (Epstein-Barr) and MS. I know it’s just a theory and as such, far from proven. And there are a zillion theories out there—they can’t all be correct.
But here’s the thing: she also told me that he said he wanted one of those stand assist chairs for Christmas because “he thinks it would be really cool.” She seemed to find it amusing, and I think her take was that kids these days are so lazy that they even want a gadget for standing up. But I think it’s very odd for a boy that age to want something associated with old, disabled people who they usually would make fun of, don’t you?
She’s never mentioned that he has any disabilities, but still. I’ve gotten the impression he’s kind of “nerdy” and now I wonder if that might go along with being clumsy and poor at sports, maybe? They’re not always the same thing, but…maybe I’m just reading too much into this.
Usually my guiding principle with deciding to tell or not to tell people something that might upset them is whether or not their knowing would help them to so something about it. In this case, I’m thinking:
I just hate to get her all worried for no reason, you know? I’m not a mother myself, but I do understand that special kind of worrying that moms do over their children. If you have an opinion on what I should do, please chime in and let me know what you think. Even if your opinion is that I should mind my own beeswax, that’s OK to say too. Thanks!
But here’s the thing: she also told me that he said he wanted one of those stand assist chairs for Christmas because “he thinks it would be really cool.” She seemed to find it amusing, and I think her take was that kids these days are so lazy that they even want a gadget for standing up. But I think it’s very odd for a boy that age to want something associated with old, disabled people who they usually would make fun of, don’t you?
She’s never mentioned that he has any disabilities, but still. I’ve gotten the impression he’s kind of “nerdy” and now I wonder if that might go along with being clumsy and poor at sports, maybe? They’re not always the same thing, but…maybe I’m just reading too much into this.
Usually my guiding principle with deciding to tell or not to tell people something that might upset them is whether or not their knowing would help them to so something about it. In this case, I’m thinking:
- She could have his vitamin D level checked and make sure that he gets out in the sunshine a lot. That seems more and more to be real science, right? Also, it's easy enough to do. So is supplementation.
- She could quit smoking. I don’t know if second-hand smoke increases MS risk, but again, science is telling us that there’s a good chance that actual smoking does. I’m honestly not looking for an excuse to beat up on a smoker—I used to smoke myself, and I never, ever judge others who do, and never once have a nagged anyone. I know how hard quitting is. But you can't even say that she mind wind up quitting for no good reason. It would be a good thing all on its own!
- She could just keep a close eye on it—if it turns out that he does have MS, earlier diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment.
I just hate to get her all worried for no reason, you know? I’m not a mother myself, but I do understand that special kind of worrying that moms do over their children. If you have an opinion on what I should do, please chime in and let me know what you think. Even if your opinion is that I should mind my own beeswax, that’s OK to say too. Thanks!
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