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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.

minusAbutterfly's picture
minusAbutterfly Connect

Survivor: Thyroid Cancer

Dear cancer, you've taken everything away from me. I defeated you, but it seems like you still have a solid grip on my life. I'm still tired all the time and constantly have to come up with lies to tell everyone as to why they haven't seen me in awhile. You took away half my undergrad experience. When everyone else my age was having fun and living life, I was dying in my dorm room. You ruined my GPA, so much so, that I may not get into grad school and become an occupational therapist like I've wanted for 6 years. You've put a wedge between me and everyone I love because no one understands my daily struggles. I am alone and it's all because of you. I'm reminded everyday of what you've put me through and what you continue to put me through in many ways. You made me gain weight, so much so, that guys don't even acknowledge my presence when I'm out with my friends. Even if I do meet a guy, I have to lie to him until I feel like it's the "right time" to bring you up... if there's even such a thing as a "right time". Don't know when that is because every guy has run away after I've told him. You've killed my confidence. You killed my life, but you couldn't kill me. I WON'T live the rest of my life sick. I WILL get better. I WILL get into grad school and I WILL become an amazing occupational therapist. I WILL find the love of my life and he WILL accept my every scar and pill. I WILL never be able to forget what you've taken from me, but I WILL live an amazing life without you. Just gotta find the right team to fix what you destroyed.

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