So how are you coping?

"so how are you coping mum.....?"
"I'm not your mum, I'm his mum, I'm fine and if one more person asks me that question I'll scream." I never actually answered that way but lordy I've been tempted. I know that people mean well and they're trying to be supportive but enough already!! I suppose that in reality, there was no 'right' thing to say and it didn't take a lot to cheese me off at the time. I just wanted people to talk to me like they normally would. Normality was what I craved, not sympathy. One of the most frustrating things was always feeling like I was on show. I often heard the doctors whispering "how is mum coping?" to Maxs nurse and if I ever displayed emotion you could guarantee that a social worker would be sent in later that day. At home you can get a bit snappy and nobody cares. In hospital somebody always noticed.