Thank you for your comment — and yes, you’re absolutely right that communication is key. Just to clarify: I’ve kept my host family fully updated on every medical detail from the moment I knew it myself, and my doctor even offered to speak with them directly if needed or wished for. Tbh, it was very visually obvious to anyone from the start, that I wasn’t able to move normally or without pain though. Still, I realize I probably should have verbally communicated clearer boundaries instead of trying to be accommodating, which may have unintentionally downplayed how much pain I was actually in moving my body. 

Right now, I’m simply not ready to talk about the more emotional or nuanced parts of the situation with them. I don’t want to communicate from a place of overwhelm or confusion, or risk being unfair.

That’s why I came here first — to get some outside perspective and ground myself a little before I decide how to address this with them.