How Do I React To My Best Friend Being Diagnosed with Cancer? | Kristien Hemmerechts | TEDxHilversum

And then the diagnosis hit her hard: breast cancer. But not just her, Belgian author Kristien Hemmerechts, it also impacted her friends, family and fans. But in a different way than she expected. Quickly she found out that it is a binary world out there: those of the healthy people and those who have cancer. This translates in the awkward situations, and Kristien feels we can all learn from her experience. And then the diagnosis hit her hard: breast cancer. But not just her, Belgian author Kristien Hemmerechts, it also hit her friends and family and students* and neighbours and fans and other people who know her. But in a different way than she expected. Quickly she found out that it is a binary world out there: those of the healthy people and those who have cancer. She discovered that people found it very difficult to cope with the situation. More difficult than she expected. “The unclearness of the situation has to do with it”, she says. “You do not look ill, you do not act ill. You do not feel ill. But there is a devastating disease in your body at work and you are terrified.” When Kristien lost two sons, reactions were warm. “We can all relate to that. And the response is accordingly.” Her mentally ill sister always told her: “Kristien, you have no idea what it feels like to have a mental illness”. Kristien: “I understand that better now.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx