Someone else needs friendships, too. Groups of other cancer patients can offer new friendships, understanding, support, and companionship. When you return to work, coworkers, like others, may shun you, support you or wait for your cues on how to respond. There are laws to protect you against job discrimination. Anyone who has been affected intimately by cancer knows that it can change the pattern of our relationships outside the family as well as those within.
Friends react as they do to other difficult situations.
Casual acquaintances, and even strangers, can cause unintended pain by asking thoughtless questions about visible scars, artificial devices, or other noticeable changes in appearance. One or two people within your circle may be gratifying in their devotion and in the sensitivity they show toward your needs. One woman said her mother-in law found one or two close friends with whom she felt truly relaxed. They were not startled when she laughed nor ill at ease when she cried. With others she maintained an outward calm.