Monday, February 29, 2016

Mets Monday - How NOT to visit a sick friend

This month, I have been fortunate enough to have had visits from my oldest dearest friend, as well as my sister. Many of you canceristas and metsters are lucky enough to have loved ones who visit.

But tell me, do they always behave the way the way you wish they would? Of course their intentions might be good, but their thoughtlessness sometimes shows.

Insensitive behavior happens most often when we don't appear sick. When we look normal, people forget our illness, especially those of us with cancer, which so many equate with hair loss.  If you aren't bedridden and bald, you can't be unwell, right?

Wrong.

Sick, even real, debilitating sick, can be quiet, invisible and subtle.

In coming up with a way to keep my vivacious friend busy and do an activity together, I came up with this video.  Not only was it a fun activity for friends to do, it will hopefully remind those who visit a chronically ill person what to remember during their time together.  No matter the illness, the best way to be supportive is to take your cue from the sick person, and don't put pressure on them ...about anything.

There are many more "what not to do" items that we missed, and we wanted the video short, so please feel free to add your peeve in the comments, or on facebook.

As you can see, we both missed our calling as actors.  I really do think a designer should consider sending me an Oscar-worthy dress, shoes and jewelry, don't you?


Enjoy our silliness!

18 comments:

  1. Love your acting and wardrobe. I loved the video and shared it on FB as an excellent example of what not to do when visiting a sick friend. You definitely nailed the ones on my cousin's neighbor's dog walker's hair dresser had big toe cancer and they had a different treatment and got cured. You should try that and I'm sure you will be better.

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  2. This was fabulous. The expression on your face when she asked what was for dinner was the best part! Loved it!!

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  3. I love the face you made when she told you cancer was caused by sugar. Leonardo got nothin' on your acting skills, girlfriend!

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  4. Ann i love you!!! This was hilarious and your friend & you were so funny. I'm posting this on my FB feed. I don't know anyone else living with cancer who can bring the humour into any situation as well as you!! Keep 'em coming!!

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    1. Thanks! I'm going to try to do one every Monday, but since I'm alone most of the time it'll be harder. No silly friends to join me. :).

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  5. Love it!!!

    Also loved the book tower in one of the shots, how on earth do you manage that with your pets, how does it not fall over?

    Mandy

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    1. It's actually a bookshelf. It has divided areas where you put your books, and while it looks like a tower of precarious books, it's fully supported. :). You can get them at Design within Reach. They also had a version at West Elm although I haven't seen it in a while. I have two, one on each side of the fireplace, and I need two more! I actually DO have stacks of books everywhere. :).

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  6. Love the video, some of the faces are hilarious.

    Noticed the book tower in one of the clips....how do you even manage to keep it in one piece with your pets

    Mandy

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  7. Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Ann, you're so beautiful, too! Thanks so much for the laugh. Linda A. in Boston.

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  8. Love you, Ann! You have helped me sooooooo much, and I am eternally grateful.

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  9. Loved this video! And the look on your face when your friend asked you to stop eating candies because of sugar, haha! That was priceless. Looks like you two had a lot of fun making it too. These are helpful tips for everyone and they sort of apply to other things too.

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  10. Ann, I love your website. I was diagnosed 2 years ago with breast cancer -stage 1 (apparently - but really likely 2 or 3) but had chemo and radiation therapy. I am ok, but as a mother of a 5 year old, I live in fear of stage 4 everyday. Due to the nature of my tumour, I worry at some point I will be stage 4. I just hope my daughter will be older. You are an inspiration and have kept me sane the last 2 years. I too am a smart ass and I hope you continue to live life to the fullest with your amazing sense of humour. Much love.

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  11. Ann, you and your friend made me smile with the video. It amazes me how we all get the same crap put on us.

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  12. So my mom died of breast cancer and I got the call back for an abnormal mammogram today. I go tomorrow for that. Thanks for a little chuckle, my mom would have chuckled with me.

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