I think that she's saying...
There is an unspoken script to conversation.
One part of the script says that "If someone says they have been hurt/suffering in some way (someone died, they have had cancer, they have somehow been suffering) YOU must say some words of sympathy.
"I'm sorry for your loss"
"Oh my god, that's terrible"
"That must've been hard, I'm glad you're feeling better"
"Oh you poor thing".
It shows empathy. Those words send a message.
The message being
"I heard what you said. I realize that must've been scary/hard/sucking/awful I am regret that you had to go through that experience."
So though you may not have known what exact words to say to that revelation; you were able to realize that, 'hell, this is awkward. I should probably be saying something to soothe this person.'
Realizing that is a good thing.
If you didn't realize that, then make a note for the future. This is what you should have been understanding.
_________________
Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.
~Thomas à Kempis
"Be plain, good son, and homely in thy drift;
Riddling confession finds but riddling shrift"
~Shakespeare