A Note on Why I Must Periodically Clean Up My WeChat Contacts

Dear WeChat friends and readers of my blog and official account: the number of contacts on my work WeChat has recently reached its maximum limit. Starting now, some new readers who wish to consult me about tumor issues cannot add me, so I have to periodically delete some contacts in order to give new inquirers a chance to add me.

Over the years people have often suggested that I open several more WeChat accounts to handle the growing number of contacts, but I have politely declined. The reason is that I can barely keep up with the friends on one account; several more would severely drain me physically and mentally. So I can only periodically clear out contacts with whom I rarely communicate. If I bite off more than I can chew, it is dangerous and unfair to those who come to me for help. After all, on life-and-death matters, it is better to stay focused.

If I have removed you from my WeChat contacts but you later have tumor-related questions to ask, you may re-add me at any time. If you have nothing to consult me about, please try not to add me; save both sides time and energy and leave room for those who truly need it.

I will keep a group of long-term contacts (no more than 2,000), and periodically clear the rest. Readers who no longer need to be on my WeChat will be removed gradually. If you want to keep reading my articles, I suggest subscribing to my official account, or visiting my blog directly (www.zhouzhiyuan.com). Personal WeChat is my tool for communicating with patients and their families; it cannot meet the social needs of readers.

Different trades have different specialties. For a long time I have only studied oncology, so when patients with other diseases seek me out, I generally decline, because I feel that giving opinions outside my own field easily misleads people. I understand the urgent anxiety of patients seeking help, but I must hold my line; otherwise I may delay their treatment.

Many inquirers trust me beyond what I am capable of; that trust is not quite rational. I hope you will regard me as a person of very ordinary ability, not as someone omnipotent in medicine. That is better for you and greatly reduces my pressure.

Thank you all for your understanding and years of support. Without you I would be nothing. I am only tidying up my WeChat because I have to, simply to do my work a bit better and live a bit better; there is no personal grudge against anyone.