I told my job right away, but that was because I was rapidly draining my FMLA, could no longer do the work, and wound up quitting without notice. I loved my boss and enjoyed my job. My friends all know, because I wanted them to understand why I've become a hermit. They're quite supportive, and we stay in touch regularly with email and texts. I gladly answer questions from strangers and casual acquaintances. My neighbors know, because we all look out for each other.
The ones I regret telling are my family. The whole family. My mother and kids needed to know, because they're the ones who see me all the time and already knew that something was wrong. But I'm sorry I shared it with everyone else. Like Pistachio, I don't want pity or hero worship. The extended relatives run the gamut from "You're going to die soon" to "Oh, you're so brave!". They either treat me like I'm fragile or go into great detail about how their co-worker with MS still works 80 hours a week, runs in marathons, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro last month so I should, too. I dread running into any of them, and it's my own fault for TMI. Know your audience before you open up.
The ones I regret telling are my family. The whole family. My mother and kids needed to know, because they're the ones who see me all the time and already knew that something was wrong. But I'm sorry I shared it with everyone else. Like Pistachio, I don't want pity or hero worship. The extended relatives run the gamut from "You're going to die soon" to "Oh, you're so brave!". They either treat me like I'm fragile or go into great detail about how their co-worker with MS still works 80 hours a week, runs in marathons, and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro last month so I should, too. I dread running into any of them, and it's my own fault for TMI. Know your audience before you open up.
Comment