From the article: Telling Friends and Family You Have Been Diagnosed with Cancer
There are some people, though they have no medical training, like to lend medical advice to others. When you have cancer, it seems to bring out the "inner-physician" in some people, prompting unwanted medical advice to be given. How do you handle unwanted medical advice? Share Your Advice
Thoughtful Listening or Confrontation?
- With most people, simply thanking them for their input, staying firm and stating that we are looking at all options carefully suffices. It's best not to alienate people - they might have a tip to offer we haven't thought of! Nobody can know everything and sometimes the person you least expect to have ideas, in fact does. It also helps to keep in mind that the reason they are offering advice is that they feel helpless and really want to do something to help but don't know what to do. Thank them for caring. But then there are the know-it-alls... In that case, if they don't get the hint or I am simply beyond my patience level, I might consider asking them a question. "Where did you do your residency to receive your board certification in oncology?" or if it is really bad, "Do you consider yourself the world specialist in "such and such" a cancer?"
- —Guest Lynne
