Hi all,
Having had my results (formally) yesterday I thought I'd share my thoughts on 'telling others the news' while it's still all fresh in my head.
1) It is unbelievably exhausting so prioritise people before you start.
2) Easiest done face to face so people can see that you look well (a bit deceptive I know, but who cares? :-D ), and especially for children (I'm using FaceTime tonight to tell my nieces, their parents will be there beside them at the time).
3) I've already learned FaceTime is better than using the phone (if your connection is good) and makes the whole conversation shorter somehow.
4) Unless people have been through it they have no idea how little information you will have at this stage, be prepared for that.
5) It does get a lot easier to tell people as you go through the list.
6) For those that you want/need to know, but that aren't quite as close to, don't feel guilty about a 'group chat', 'group email' just explain at the start that you have news and apologise for doing it as a group thing but explain why you're doing it that way. Don't feel guilty about it, I resorted to this way for old colleagues that I've promised to meet up with but have been too exhausted to do so of late.
7) Some people who have a bit of experience of cancer may offer to tell others (their own close family etc.), I did take up that offer with my cousin but she is an endocrinologist so can do a lot of the 'no details yet' stuff for me and people will trust her.
8) It is unbelievably exhausting (so much it's worth stressing it again :D )!!!! Especially if, like me, you don't like phones and avoid talking on them as much as possible. So make yourself comfortable, consider cancelling any plans you have for the rest of that day, and have a treat planned for yourself after you get through the list.
9) Don't feel bad if you give up part way through and decide to take it up again tomorrow.
Just my thoughts, others may disagree (feel free), but having literally just done it this was my experience and it's an aspect of all this that I realise no-one had warned me about!!!!! Now I know when I get updates that I will plan first how to handle it.
Just a general FYI for folks.
LJx
