ArcaMax

— New Me

Dear New Me: You are a chronically health-challenged person trying to integrate with people who have no idea — and no way of knowing — how hard you are working to experience the world as they do.

It truly does sound exhausting.

I’m going to be presumptuous and write you a prescription: to lean in and resist the constant urge to “pass.”

I speak now on behalf of my fellow oddballs. Life is easier — for you and for others — when you embrace the concept of self-care, which in your case is to be gentle with yourself, to fully and authentically be yourself, and to make sure that your own needs are met.

If you believe that healthy people resent your need to be extremely careful, for instance by wearing a mask, then tell yourself (and others, if you are confronted) that if they’d like to experience the life-changing effects of cancer, you’d be happy to switch places with them.

You also need to experience a connection with people who will not expect you to explain yourself. Join a cancer survivor support group.

Researching your question, I’ve found a helpful online group: “Cancersurvivors” on Reddit.com. Reading through the first several postings, I see that there are other people out there who understand what you are going through and who will fully support the “new you.”

Dear Amy: I’ve been teaching in post-secondary institutions for over 30 years. I’ve received likely thousands of course revaluations, and now, I get to “enjoy” ratemyprofessor.com.

It should be no surprise that “complainers” are the most likely people to participate in these various rating services.

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