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.
After telling my doctor last year that there was something wrong with my frequent bowel movements, he sent me for a colonoscopy in February of this year. At that time, a tumor was found in the rectum (rectal cancer). The size: about 1.5 cm in diameter. Chemo and radiotherapy was administered for 29 days. An oncologist, radiologist, and a surgeon opted for the open surgery with a temporary bag. I didn't consent, and after talking to the surgeon she agreed to TEM, which I requested after reading a lot about this procedure which was pioneered by Columbia University Hospital's surgeons. As a result of the therapy the tumor shrank to 0.1 cm. (maximum dimension). The surgery (TEM) was performed on July 11,2011. The surgical pathology report states that four lymph nodes were removed which were negative for carcinoma. For 2 weeks after surgery I felt great and had no pains at all. During the third week I had "a breakdown" of the post-operative wound, a lot of pain and frequent discharges. I was given Percocet, then prescribed rectal suppositories (Canasa); on Sept.22 I was put on Flagyl for 30 days. The CT scan with contrast indicated that I have no abscess, but the wound is healing slowly - most likely due to the radiation received, but also -- as one doctor pointed out -- because I have Diabetes II. I still experience discharges (mostly clear mucus), but not as often as before. In general, I feel good and am happy that I decided to have a TEM. My question to the TEM patients with similar problems is HOW LONG healing of their wounds took for them, and how long it generally takes until all discharges stop?
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