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I Had Cancer Guidelines

We're all here for similar reasons - we've been touched by cancer in some way. It’s up to all of us to show each other that no one is alone. Your IHadCancer profile is your own place to call home during this crazy thing called cancer, we just ask that you keep these simple guidelines in mind when participating.

1. Always Be Nice. This is a place for connections and conversations – we encourage you all to talk openly but please remain considerate in all of your engagement. Don’t post obscene, hateful or objectionable content. Abuse and disrespect will not be tolerated in the IHC community and is subject to deletion and user removal at our discretion.

2. Be a Good Friend. The IHC community is a family. Please remember to be a good friend to the connections you make on IHC. Ask questions that you wish someone would ask you; if you can’t find the right words to say, send a hug, it can speak louder than words. A simple gesture goes a long way.

3. Don't Spam. This includes sending unsolicited messages of any nature, posting links to unrelated content, promoting a survey, fundraiser or product where it shouldn’t be promoted. If you aren’t sure if something is appropriate to post, e-mail us and we’ll let you know.

4. Think Before You Post. Everything you post on IHadCancer is secure, but it is up to you to monitor how much or how little information you are sharing about yourself and your experience. Please don’t share personal or identifiable information like your mailing address or your full name and don’t share other member’s information.

5. If You See Something, Say Something. We work hard to make sure these guidelines are followed closely but if you see something that doesn’t’ feel right to you, please let us know. We review every report we receive and will take anything you say to heart. We promise.

6. Be Open. Welcome newcomers and help guide them through this journey based on your own experience. Whether you are a survivor, fighter, caregiver or supporter, you have valuable information that can very well help someone else who is just beginning the cancer journey. Be open to sharing experiences and give someone else the gift of your time.

Thanks for being a part of our community. It’s up to all of us to ensure that IHadCancer remains a place for us all to call home when dealing with the ups and downs of a cancer diagnosis.

ZatinFairy's picture
ZatinFairy Connect

Survivor: Ovarian Cancer

Dear Cancer, In July 8, I will be celebrating two years of completing chemo and overcoming one of the most challenging experience of my life. It has been two and a half years since I was diagnosed, and I never addressed you with anger nor resentment. However, today an eerie feeling took over me and tears ran down my cheeks as I stood in front of the mirror examining each scar, mark and my new alien breasts. Yes, I decided to get a jump on my breasts before you took them from me the way you ran off with my ovaries. Everything I ever said about you was uplifting and enlightening. I thanked you every second of my journey for the wisdom, the strength, and the love I received from family, friends, acquaintances, as well as, strangers. Over and over again, I had thanked you for propelling me to reevaluate my life and realizing that I had given up on my dreams over a decade ago, and I had been just roaming through life with out a clear destination. You brought me amazing lessons and an ability to knock down my emotional wall allowing me to be vulnerable with a new found sensitivity that allows me to connect with others in a deeper and spiritual way. Yes, I've thanked you for all the gifts over and over again. But today, today is different. For the first time I feel hate towards you. I hate you for what you've done to my body, to my hair, to my breasts, and I hate you for making me feel less than a woman. I hate you for taking my ability to procreate. I hate you for what you've done to my family, for hurting my mother, for the stress brought upon my brother, and above all I hate you for killing my grandma. My sweet grandma dedicated her entire time to take care of me through chemo while you were silently spreading in her body. You really had take one of us after all, didn't you??? I'm so upset ... I couldn't even recognize my body today ... "What a mess, what a mess you left." Tomorrow will be a better day and will not grant you the power to emotionally hurt me like you did today. You don't deserve my tears and no matter how hard you try to bring me down, I will prevail. I will stand tall, with my head up high, my shoulders back and with my grandma still on my side. Her spirit will live for ever in my heart feeding me strength to live a joyful, peaceful and healthy life.

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