DS giving impression she is seriously ill (and isnt)

[WantonRadish]

Name changed.

My sister has a blood condition that doesnt affect her day to day. She is fit and well, but she takes a pill every day and technically it is referred to as oral chemotherapy. It is not life limiting.

She has quarterly check ups at hospital. They take blood, she gets results immediately, never had issues.

This is my problem - she refers to the condition as cancer, posts on social media about her chemo, references her condition in most conversations, talks about how vulnerable she is.

I'm finding it very distasteful and am losing any respect for her. I have friend and family who have had cancer, they've went through gruelling chemo, they've spent nights wondering how many months they had left, their lives were turned upside down.

I feel like my sister is seeking attention. She is presenting herself as a cancer victim. She is very selective about what she shares, always designed for maximum drama.

I've had 6 years of it. I was sympathetic at first but now it's become like her hobby and I'm sickened by it. If think if I voiced my opinion that would be the end of our relationship, and I dont want that.

Am I being awful? Has anyone experienced this?

The medication she is taking has serious potential side effects. Doctors would not prescribe this lightly. The blood tests are to check whether it is causing her kidneys and liver to stop functioning properly, as well as to check her white blood cells aren't being too suppressed. She is considered extremely clinically vulnerable as her immune system is compromised due to this medication. She obviously has a chronic lifelong condition which is potentially very serious untreated. Her doctors have decided that on balance, prescribing her this dangerous medication will benefit her more than harm her.

Sounds like she is ill. Blood disease can be quite tough.

@WantonRadish

But it doesnt affect her everyday life *@TabithaTittlemouse*! She takes a pill at 6pm. That's it.

That’s is? It doesn’t need to affect your daily life for you to be ill. I imagine the pill is allowing her to carry on with her life. I take a pill every day and it helps keep my body ticking properly, as well as other things to do with my heart and other organs there’s also a small chance I could go into a coma if I stop. Just because a life looks normal doesn’t mean it is. Sounds like her pill is keeping her blood condition stable. There are so many invisible illnesses out there where you look perfectly healthy on the outside but are ill. Surely you realise this.

Methotrexate will have put her in the clinically vulnerable group for Covid. For many people this has had a big effect on their mental health. It’s important to take this into account.

@bringmelaughter

Methotrexate will have put her in the clinically vulnerable group for Covid. For many people this has had a big effect on their mental health. It’s important to take this into account.

I take a very low dose of azathioprine and I was put in the clinically extremely vulnerable group and was asked to shield.

@SpringIsSprung1 i'm glad to hear you're doing well at the moment! and as a medical student it's very useful to hear about your experience with the condition and how NOT to act as a consultant 🙄pleased you managed to change hospitals

I have blood tests every three months, and a CT scan every 6 months. I'm also classed as CEV wrt covid. Yet to look at me you'd not think I was ill. Just like hidden disabilities, you cannot judge someones illness just by their appearance.

I see my sister once/twice a week and talk every day on the phone. If anyone asked her how I was doing, she'd say I was doing good. The Op's closeness to her sister is a red herring as to how ill she thinks her sister is.

As a similar comparison: friends mum has a brain tumour.

At the moment she’s doing well. It’s inoperable, but is growing very slowly and not causing too many problems. No treatment, just regular MRI’s to monitor.

Now same as o/p’s sister, not causing problems, she’s otherwise fit and healthier than most her age.

But she has a fucking brain tumour

Yes. Cancer. And while you wouldn’t know it looking at her, and generally she is fine, the run up to every scan and wait for the results is hell.

She doesn’t have facebook. But if she needed to post on there about having cancer to get a bit of sympathy and feel seen, then why not.

@User72614643 can I ask what dose of aziathropine you take please?

[quote Justonedayatatime11]@User72614643 can I ask what dose of aziathropine you take please? [/quote]
50 mg

Threads like this piss me off. Op you have no idea what your sister is going through other then what she shares with you. I have a blood disorder and take 2 tablets once a day to survive. I get my bloods checked every 8 weeks and guess what I work full time and go to the gym etc. You’d probably say I was faking it. But guess what behind closed doors I’m like a zombie. I’m in pain or I’m knackered every day and I force myself to get on with it to live my life. You have no idea so if you don’t care what’s going on with your sister keep your beak out. It’s bloody awful living with a condition that could one day kill you.

@WantonRadish

But it doesnt affect her everyday life *@TabithaTittlemouse*! She takes a pill at 6pm. That's it.

As I said, I can see why you name changed.