I hear ya, Michelle. Not difficult for them to put two and two together. I never experienced any bad feedback, but my social life is near 0 now. Many who knew me from the gym, work, know better to be insultive to me, and know I would not not take it lightly, in my past life lol, but I'm still no Charlie Brown to be picked on. I don't care what others think, and who are they to judge, and where were they the past 3.5 years when I needed help, and basically went through treatments, testing, dr visits, biopsy, consultations by myself, not even family, and could they do the treatments we went through, without crying, I doubt it, and you have the strength to stand up for yourself. Btw, I was never tested for HPV, but it's more likely it was.

I think someone may have posted what to say to family, co-workers, friends, acquaintances, strangers, if you want to. Not all need to know everything, and info and be on a need to know basis, limited to what your comfortable with. Everyone knew at work since I was hospitalized for 6 months, many came to see me, and about 50 made a contribution to give me, and sent cards. That was three years ago, and still some are asking closer work friends how I'm doing, even yesterday. I miss work.

Many cancer patients, have guilt, they may even say they deserved it from bad actions in life, and it's karma, and activities that may have caused it like drinking, smoking, intimate relations. I guess it's like any loss, first its shock, denial, blame or guilt, and acceptance that you go through. Cancer is a life altering event.

Good topic.