How do you approach someone you know just learned she has cancer but doesn't know you had it? Yet you don't know her that well.

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kwagnermd (Physician - Surgery - General (Verified) ) - 02 / 14 / 2012

So you want to offer this person support but don't know her that well. It's a very nice thought, to help someone else get through the tough times in the early phases of diagnosis and treatment. Perhaps since you don't know her that well, if the opportunity presents itself with other mutual friends around, when she mentions it or someone asks how she is doing, you could speak up then. Or if you'd rather it be private, you could send her a card with a short note offering support and giving her the option to follow up with you. No loss if she never calls, no embarrassment in public etc.. Either way, you offered and that is very touching. People react in strange ways to bad news, be it illness or death in the family or whatever. Some rally, some retreat. The newly diagnosed can feel terribly lonely and overwhelmed, so your offer may be welcomed. If not, pat yourself on the back anyway. You are awesome!
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member2249 (Survivor (1 year)) - 02 / 14 / 2012

Thank you, this is very helpful. I just believe that things become less scary when you aren't alone and you have someone you can talk to that can actually relate, not just sympatize.

Mary
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