why do people hide it?

[playlikeworldchamps 595]

for me before surgery only my husband knew. until we told kids 2 days before.

reasons

1) medical privacy. none of anyone's business

2) I did all my research and I did not need some uninformed persons opinion especially if it was negative. it's not my job to educate people.

3) did not want to worry close relatives and friend about surgery. I told my sister 3 days post op so she didn't have to worry needlessly.

4) As a couple weeks went on and I could not eat "normally" and I lost weight I told more relatives and then close friends.

5) As the worry over it "working" passes, (I failed so many times traditionally) if other relatives or friends comment I tell them how I did it if it seems appropriate to the conversation. I don't shout out to the world or just to acquaintances. when we took my teenage daughters friend with us on vacation she asked me if it was okay to tell her friend since I ate so little at every restaurant. I told her it was fine to tell. I was so proud that she was so mature and asked my permission first.

6) I am happy I used a gradual way over time telling people who are close to me and then expanding that circle. as I said it's still a privacy issue and for the most part no one but my immediate family "needed to know"

[clefofcividale 19]

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I have only told those who I feel it was necessary to tell and have been wondering if or when I would "let everyone in on the secret". I still don't know, but it is nice to see other people struggling with the say issues.