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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.

BikrTrashMin's picture
BikrTrashMin Connect

Survivor: Colon and Rectal Cancer

"Dear Cancer, I just wanted to thank you for coming into my life. It has been a wonderful journey! When I was diagnosed with you, I had to have you surgically removed. This involved the removal of 6 inches of colon and 15 lymph nodes. You sneaky little shit, you got into 7 of those lymph nodes! That meant I had to do chemo! Yippee! What did chemo bless me with? Oh, let me think...let's start with the wonderful, slimy sensation in my mouth that causes me to not be able to eat or drink comfortably. Don't forget the cold sensitivity, which has caused me to not be able to eat or drink anything cold for the last five months. Who needs a cold, refreshing drink here and there...especially in the summer? Certainly not me! Oh, I sleep like a baby...at least 12 hours a day. You did a great job of getting rid of the insomnia I had earlier this year. Now, I can't seem to get enough sleep! I used to be such a busy-body...always cleaning, running errands, etc. Now, I have a hard time walking a flight of stairs. Life is so much more relaxing, now that I can't clean my own house or run my own errands! Then, there is the 50 or so strands of hair I have left. How quickly they dry! To think, I used to spend a half an hour or so, drying my hair in the morning. I have so much more time on my hands. Eyebrows? They have plucked themselves, to the point of almost non-existence. Eyelashes? Who needs them? Facial hair is such a bother! Oh, and I have developed this beautiful green tinge to my skin. I have always loved green! How did you know? Don't forget the neuropathy! You know, that pleasant feeling you get when your foot has fallen asleep and is now waking up? That tingly feeling that makes it hard to walk? That's my feet, 24/7! And, if it happens to go away, all I have to do to bring it back, is blow my nose! It's great! My hands don't have this feeling 24/7, only when I touch things that are colder than room temperature. I make sure to do it often, just to be sure it's still there. Finally, there's the weight gain. How nice of you to give me an extra 50 pounds of insulation to protect me from the cold winter. I knew you cared. Thanks again for coming into my life, cancer. I truly feel blessed by your presence." -Said NO ONE. EVER.

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