How should I greet someone with cancer?

daniel

Active member
My new girlfriend's mom has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and is going through chemo, and I don't know how to say hello to her. My go to for any other situation is normally "Hey, how are you?"
I feel like that is an inappropriate and impersonal greeting. Also I don't want to go too deep right off the bat. like, "Oh my gosh how is the treatment going" since my girlfriend and I just started dating and im only 17 and so on.
I've already met her a bunch of times and hung out at her house. I'm talking like each time i see her. I feel like I'm say "what's up, bro?"
 

Rachel

Member
Saying "hello, how are you?" is a common term that people ask regardless of health.

There's nothing there that's gonna make her feel insulted unless she gets super offended at every little thing.

If you feel like you're gonna offend her, "hello, nice to see you" is a more general greeting. People say that all the time, to everyone, no matter what their health.
 
Hey! How are you Auntie? You speak something positive about your girlfriend.Your g.f's positive attitudes. Any mother shall be happy, to listen good news about her siblings.
You must talk, as if you are quite unaware of her ailment. Cut some good jokes for her to laugh out freely.
 

Sekai

New member
Do everything like you normally would. Don't try to act different because of her cancer, she doesn't want to seem like an outcast that needs to be, you know, overly cared for. Ask her how the treatments going and give her support, but don't talk in a tone that you wouldn't to your girlfriend.
 

Meg

Member
You just say 'hello, nice to meet you.' The next time you meet her you could say 'hi, how are you feeling today?'

I had breast cancer and chemo and never expected to be treated any differently than I was pre diagnosis. No need to show pity, she doesn't want or need that. Just treat her as you would treat any other mother of a girlfriend.
 
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