A person’s health issues are personal. If they choose to illuminate others as to what is going on, that is their choice.

Some people relish the attention gleaned because of their health issues. They crave pats on the head, concerned looks from friends and the “I’m so sorry” comments. They remind people often of their struggles because the need for constant attention is fierce.

On the other hand, some people are very private. They don’t want anyone to know their struggles or that they even have struggles at all. They don’t desire to be put on a prayer list or be part of a prayer chain. They simply do not need or desire any extra attention. Many times, they don’t even confide in other family members.

Recently, two celebrities died from cancer. The common thread was, they kept it to themselves. They didn’t want people looking at them any differently and they also wanted to keep working.

A friend started radiation therapy today because she has a lump on her neck which has been linked to her thyroid. She confided in the people who she felt really mattered, but she’s a private person and didn’t feel the need to announce to the world what her health issues were.

That being said, I did not know she had not informed a certain family member of her issue. I made the mistake of mentioning her radiation therapy to this family member in passing. Later, that family member sent me a text which read, “Shame on _____ and _____ for not telling me about her neck. They have robbed her and their family of many prayers that could have been said. I’m almost sure no church family knows to have them on a prayer list. It’s really a sad time when family acts like that.”

After receiving this text, the family member called and said how selfish they thought it was to keep health information private. I let the person know that I disagreed. Not everyone needs to be the center of attention. Not everyone wants their name on a prayer list. I personally don’t find it selfish in the least. I will once again state, a person’s health is their own. If they choose to share, that’s fine, but ultimately, it is their decision to make and it’s no one else’s business.

If you were not informed about the issue, the person has their own reasons for not telling you and they don’t owe you any explanation.