Keeping loved ones in loop

For starters, you’ll probably want to share different information with different people.

There’s your inner circle, the ones closest to your heart and home, and most involved in your care. They might get a full day-to-day rundown of your well-being, scheduled appointments, and a list of practical stuff that you need a hand with.

Then there’s more distant family and friends, like the relatives you only see at a family gathering or the friend who checks in once a while. You might only want to update them on your diagnosis, outlook or on a need-to-know basis. Now, that doesn’t mean that you can’t rely on them for help. If they reach out asking what they can do, be ready to whip out a list of options. They could do research, help organise practical, or even just send a care package.

Of course, what you’re comfortable sharing is up to you. But bear in mind that the more information you share with your inner circle, the more they can help. Think priorities, your feelings, or personal needs – from finding you a support group or joining you at an appointment.

In my humble opinion, there’s never a bad time to talk about your feelings. When it comes to family, sharing emotions, giving advice, and generally being there for each other can be a real comfort. Especially when you’re going through something big, like living with a serious illness. Acting cheerful and resilient when you feel anything but can be exhausting, so be honest about your off days. Whether you need a heart to heart with your sibling or a light-hearted chat with a close friend to take your mind off things, you can always reach out. You probably already have an idea of the people you’d feel comfortable chatting openly with, and the ones you might hide some details from to protect them – like children. Trust your intuition on this.