[quote="Squeely"][quote="Killjoy Dixon"]It's also one of the things that makes me feel like I oughtn't ever let what I deal with bother me, much less complain about it.[/quote]
Just because my problems are arguably worse, doesn't mean your problems aren't valid. I absolutely
loathe the whole "others have it worse than you" mentality, because I've seen it used to invalidate people's problems. This one time, my friend Alejandro posted on his Facebook about how he was depressed because he and his parents got in this big fight that resulted in them throwing his clothes out on the lawn. His "friend" then went on this long rant about how Alejandro shouldn't feel sad because at least he had a place to stay

Like no, having a roof over his head isn't going to magically dissolve his issues with his parents or cure his depression.
It would be like if I broke my arm, went to the doctor and they said "no, we're not going to give you treatment because at least you didn't break your neck!"
This isn't a knock against you, Carl, it's more I have a personal hatred for such sentiments. Your problems are valid, and you have every right to complain about them.[/quote]
I've always hated this mentality. Sure, there are some people who really are just whiny and looking for attention and need to grow up, but there are also plenty of people out there dealing with depression and other mental illnesses who would rather not vocalize their problems at all simply because they're afraid they'll come off like that, and that's really not okay. People should be able to talk about what's bothering them without fear of being called out or ridiculed. As long as they're being honest about how they feel, it's really not a big deal and they shouldn't be treated like their complaints aren't valid.
As for me, I'm fairly certain I was depressed for about two years during high school; I was quiet and withdrawn, never went to class, always felt down and, well, there were times where I would cry nearly every day, even if nothing in particular had happened. It was just weeks of near-constant down-ness.
I never told anyone about it at the time because I thought I was just being weak and selfish and what-not. But when I look back on it, I really wish I had. Nobody should have to feel completely alone through something like that - it's one of the worst feelings and I'd never wish that upon anyone. And honestly, just because one person's issues are maybe not as bad as someone else's isn't really a good excuse, either.
So no, don't worry. You don't seem like you're fishing for attention. Besides that, cancer is a very legitimate thing to feel worried about. I would also feel very shaken and concerned for my family were I in your shoes.