If someone is sick, do you think it's better to call them up and see how they're doing or just leave them alone?

I like it when people call to see how I am. Personally, I would call her.

I agree with @canidmajor. A phone call to let someone know they are being thought about goes a long way.

It would be a nice gesture to call. It would let her know someone cares enough to check up on her.
If she has no family it is even more important to call.

I personally like to be left alone, but it is a nice gesture.

I would think that it varies depending on the person.

I’m going to offer an opposing viewpoint, as I frequently do.

Sick people are gross. They make disgusting noises (including complaints, moans, groans and disturbing bodily function sounds: rumblings and gurglings); they frequently emit unpleasant aromas (in other words, they stink); they have odd dietary restrictions – even odder than usual, that is; they are generally unsightly in any number of ways, and they are often bedridden, meaning you’ll be pressed into being a valet for the duration of any visit.

Telephone calls are frequently worse, if that’s even possible (with the general exception of not having to deal with olfactory issues, other than imagined scents and emanations), because the time suck still happens, and those damned invalids somehow manage to extract promises of future visits, future calls, future commitments (even if it’s only “to say a few kind words at the funeral” – which obviously includes an unspoken commitment to go to the damn ceremony in the first place, and need I remind you that funerals seem to always take place during bad weather?). As an honorable person, more or less, when one makes such commitments then it is incumbent to follow up on them. So the best thing is to avoid the entire unpleasantness altogether.

For these reasons among others I prefer to let them linger and die on their own. Unless I’m mentioned in the will, in which case I will at least call to offer up some plausible-sounding excuse as to why I can’t be present in person to face those noisome facts of their existence.

Plus, I prefer to be alone when I am ill.

^Alrighty then…

Don’t worry @CWOTUS we won’t call you..)

If she has a cell phone, maybe you could text her? That way she will know she is being thought of, but it won’t bother her if she is feeling really bad. Of course, she could also just let any phone call go to voice mail if she is feeling bad too. Either way, I say contact her and let her know you care.

It is better to call/text.
How else could you ask them if you can have their plasma TV upon their death?

^^LoL..))

By all means, call and express your concern.

Please, please, please call or text her if you haven’t heard from her tomorrow. Here is my personal reason why.

I had a wonderful friend who lived in California who had surgery. I – and others – assumed that she had someone checking on her every day when she came home from the hospital. This turned out to not be the case. A mutual friend who live about 400 miles away had not heard from the recovering friend for three days. Knowing that there were no roommates or family in the area, she called the LAPD for a welfare check. They estimated that she had passed about two days prior.

Please, call or text.

I’ll first answer this as if I’m the sick person.

If a text is a possibility, I personally would prefer to receive a text, especially if it’s from someone I don’t usually talk to outside of work.

If one of my closest girlfriends who I love to chat with for two hours called I would be happy to hear their voice, and I feel comfortable telling them my woes, or telling them I can t talk right now. Other people I might be annoyed the phone interrupted my nap, or not be in the mood to talk.

I would appreciate the concern though. So, from that point of view I’d appreciate the call.

I think if the sick person is single, it might be a little different than if they live with an SO. If they live alone, and not dating anyone, and no family close by, I’d want to call them.

Doesn’t it depend on the person? Some people want to be fussed over and some want to be left alone. It’s also possible to call and express your concern (“I was feeling concerned and wanted you to know I was thinking about you”) without bombarding them with questions (“How are you doing? Feeling any better? What does the doctor say?” etc., etc.).

I like knowing people care, but I don’t want to be pestered or intruded upon. I don’t know how I’d feel if I were seriously ill, though. Pretty sure I wouldn’t want to be either hovered over or isolated.

Your degree of closeness to the person ought to dictate whether you feel free to say you’re coming over and ask what you can bring, as opposed to just saying, “The group sends you best wishes and hopes you’re better soon.”

I definitely have no intention of going to her house, @Jeruba.

@CWOTUS If you become seriously ill and someone keeps calling, every hour on the hour, then just hanging up, that’s me…..

(I’m just sayin’)

Seems like you are well intentioned, but as my old pappy used to say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I’d leave it alone, but it’s your call.

I would call. But brevity is key. I would love a call asking how I am doing and if I need anything. But I do not want someone to keep me company for hours.

Follow your heart. If I were you it would have to depend on how close my relationship with this person, the closer the relationship the more effort I’ll put to comfort her, even to the point I’ll visit her and bring a gift.

I’m not really sure if her job (and her absence from it) is directly related to or affecting your job but put care in to not mentioning how’s the work in the office when she’s not available, don’t ask when she’ll be back, and only say that you miss her. I’m saying this because some people might suspect that your attention toward them (as boss, coworker, etc) when they’re sick and unavailable in office are all tailored toward maintaining job schedule and keeping your own work stability (especially when you require their participation to perform your work). They don’t want to hear you say something like “Oh hey Suzie, how are you doing? Sounds great. You know the files you’ve been working on? Work is difficult without you. Well, get well soon”.

Are you friendly with her at work?
If yes then a quick text or call would be nice.
If not then I would say leave her alone.

Personally speaking I prefer to leave alone and be left alone.

Stay in touch one way or another (call, snail mail or e-card, text). It’s a nice thing to do, and it’s always appreciated, even if the appreciation isn’t expressed.

Don’t call. Don’t come. Just send the Schwan’s man with chocolate/peanut butter ice cream and chicken noodle soup. Both are delicious.

@jca – How is your co-worker? Has anyone heard from her?

Co-worker moderated

Update from the Update Lady (you haven’t seen her in a while, have you?):

I did call her on Monday, the day she was out. She said she felt ok over the weekend but then felt poorly on Monday. As I said, she’s in her late 60’s and has this new breathing thing, heart related, probably due to smoking.

She’s here today. She works Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

We don’t normally call each other when one is out and I don’t normally call my coworkers when they’re out sick, unless maybe something bad happens like someone goes to the ER, but to me this was exceptional because it’s new and I was especially concerned because it’s heart related, she’s elderly and she lives alone.

She’s my friend, too, so she’s more than a regular coworker. We spend a lot of lunch times together chatting and I can confide in her about family, work and other stuff, so I really value having her here.

Also (and you already know this), if tomorrow happens to be her last day on this Earth, you will not have to say, “Man, I should have called her…..”.

So I say…....good on you, @jca.

Depends on the person. I would appreciate a call, but not a lot of calls. I would prefer to be alone.

My oldest daughter has been struggling with some physical issues for over a year and a half now. I know that she’d rather be alone but I still drop in from time to time to say Hi. I’ll call or text if I have something relevant to share with her, other than how she’s doing.