Dear Eric: I’d like to add to your response to “ Friend or Foe ”, whose best friend was battling cancer and often reacted angrily when asked how she was feeling.

Many patients who are battling cancer are often exhausted by people asking how they’re doing, how the chemo’s going, are they in pain. They don’t want to be defined by their cancer; they want to have “normal” conversations with their friends … and they don’t want to have the additional burden of their friends’ grief. I’m a family physician and my dear patients who were struggling with cancer expressed such relief to be treated as a “normal” person.

Bottom line? Let the patient lead the conversation and respect her boundaries. Listening, not probing, is a wonderful gift.

– Old Doc

Dear Doc: This is very wise advice. A great

See Full Page