I'm the mean one, I guess...

Little time to write today, but I'll let you know what happened yesterday.

Two nights ago, my kids were outside playing with the family up the street whose daughter has cancer. The parents were outside, too.

I took the opportunity to tell the mother that I had read the literature on the newest chemo agent the docs were using that I was concerned about the child's immune system and her parents willingness to take her out of the house. (They have take her everywhere - restaurants, movies, 'chuck e cheese', Publix and the Sawgrass mall. I don't think they have a clue about how germs work.

So, I said that I thought it may be a good idea to have the child wear masks when they go out - for her protection. The mother said that she would keep her in a bubble, if she could, but that the basically still had to live a life and that at the end of three months her cancer is not better - so what is the point? Keeping her home hasn't made her better.

All the more reason to keep her away from public places, I told her. I warned her about the guy in front of her in line at Publix and how he could have TB and cough on her. I said that a major cold or flu would be the end of her.

I also said that if keeping her in a bubble kept her safe and ALIVE for a year - that is a good thing, right?

Well, fast forward to yesterday morning and I get a knock on my door from their nanny, who knows me well too.

She told me that she arrived at the neighbor's house to find the mother crying hysterically. She said that she was told that the reason for the tears was because I had upset her and she just fell apart.

The nanny said that she had never had a conflict with me but that she would if I continue to say non-supportive things to the mother.

I was like, "You practically live there and you say NOTHING!" Everytime that lady brings her daughter to the nail salon, she places her life in danger.

We had a 20 minute conversation. I stood my ground. I would rather be the mean one now who points out that the mother is careless with her daughter's health than attend a funeral and have the mother ask me why, if I was doubtful of the way she dragged the kid everywhere, didn't I say anything.

I had a hard time eating yesterday. I feel bad - not because I said something, but because the parents are still clueless as to the harm they could be causing the kid and I'm the mean one who just said cruel things to them.

Shame....