How to say "I have cancer." Or, not.

I don't think I have mastered how to tell people that I have cancer. Here are some examples . . .

1. I've been playing phone tag with a friend since January. We were finally able to talk after I learned that the cancer was still hanging around. I'm sure she was expecting a great conversation about how I was feeling great and glad to be back a work. Instead the conversation went something like this:

K: Hi, how are you?!
M: Well, not so good. I just found out that the cancer is back. Or, was never gone.
K: Ummm . . . wow . . . I'm not sure what to say.

That was probably the best thing she could have said. I mean, really, what do you say?

2. I was a work and ran into an acquaintance that I hadn't see since before my surgery. He knew I had been sick last year and thought things were looking up.

J: Hey! Hi! You look great! I love the hair. How is everything?
M: Not good.
J: Oh.

And, I just left him hanging.

3. Today I was talking to two volunteers about a project and I had to stumble all over the place to tell them.

M: Well, I don't know what J told you about why I was out last week . . . well, oh, K, probably doesn't know . . . but might have guessed . . . I had cancer last year . . . and, um, it's back or was never gone . . . so, I had treatment last week . . . then I'm going to Maui . . . so I will work on your project after my second treatment . . . when I'm working at home . . . any questions?
K and G: shocked stares.

I really need to work on my delivery.