How Do I Explain My Medical Related Absence to My Friends?

Mar 14, 2019

Anonymous asks, quote:
I’m going to be attending Prom with some friends. Up until now, I’ve been attending school online so that I have the time and energy to deal with a recent medical diagnosis. How do I handle questions about my appearance or condition after being absent for so long?
end quote.

You say “I had deal with a bunch of medical stuff that came up, but I’m doing a lot better now. How have you been?” It doesn’t really matter, why you were gone. The important thing is that you’re here now. Focus on that. If people start asking about your condition, give an answer that’s broad but not dishonest. Then, switch things up and ask about them. What have they been up to? What’s new with them? Keep doing this until they either get the point or you’ve learned every minute detail of their lives.

Your illness doesn’t matter. What matters is that you are there and that you are you. Don’t let anything or anyone distract from that fact.

You don’t owe anyone an explanation for how your body does or does not work. Not at this event or anywhere else.