Old Friend Faking Cancer?

So, I'm lucky that I've had cancer for 9 years and I'm still here. But that's after a year of chemo/rads and surgery beyond repair. My stress is skyrocketing while helping a childhood friend supposedly just diagnosed with bone cancer. I'm sorry to take up anyone's time but truly I'm not sure if I'm being played or if it's real. We all have some level of PTSD and this is kicking mine into high gear. If this person really has cancer...of course I'd spend many hours helping her research etc.....that's what I'm good at....but if this is fake....I'm so pissed because my hands really hurt to type from neuropathy and lymphedema. Again...so sorry for sharing this stupid situation with anyone.

Here is it: First she had what was clearly a pretend boyfriend on Facebook. She was his only friend and he was far too good to be true. (Every post was an invite to some fabulous place, etc.) Then when people DMd her about this suspicious guy, she comes up with a cancer diagnosis that he has been supporting her through. It really felt like a cover story to me. I am her oldest friend on earth and a cancer survivor so, of course, I give her the benefit of the doubt. I even make her send me a pathology report and I google every medical term.....it all checks out. She claims she is being put on a single "infusion" of chemo and then pills. Today, she posts an arm of someone getting chemo who appears 100 pounds thinner than my friend. Also, it appears to have some clinic name on the gown that is not Kaiser (her hospital). WTF. Maybe she's just lying about chemo to get sympathy but really has cancer? Maybe she's just getting target therapy but feels that isn't sexy enough? If that's the case, that's so offensive. Do people these days put up photos of their arm as it's getting chemo...blood on their finger and all? I'm sort of old (54) and the photo offended me and stressed me out. Is that sort of photo the norm on social media these days?

I know no one will have the answer to these questions but any comments you have will help. All her medical lingo is legitimate but in her texts to me, she mixes claims about the pretend boyfriend. "I can't find the pathology report...maybe I left it at Eric's house."

How do I blow off a potential cancer patient who is a very old friend (who told very tall tales when we were kids). Maybe I just hang in there a while. Also, her family isn't posting on her Facebook posts about her cancer. I know....this is so stupid.....I shouldn't put my time into this.....but what if it's true.

Are those photos the norm on social media these days?

BTW, love you all.

Meggy

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