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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.

nova1979's picture
nova1979 Connect

Survivor: Testicular Cancer

It has been 27 months since being diagnosed with testicular cancer, cancerous nodes in my neck and something called a teratoma. After 4 rounds of chemo and my testicular cancer surgery I was actually doing well. I had beat cancer - YES. What I didn't realize was that cancer was the easy part, the teratoma was a grabber located in my abdomen. Twenty Neurologists and Urologists discussed my case and voted 18-2 against me having the surgery. This would be the most difficult surgery my Urologist ever performed. The complications were too many but the alternative was to wait for the teratoma to continue to grow until I died. A projected 2 hour surgery and 5 day recovery turned into a 15+ hour surgery and almost 3 months in the hospital. Today, I am cancer and teratoma free. The bad news is I am on permanent disability as I have early onset dementia and chronic pain throughout my body. I need a machine to breath at night and have wires in my spine to help block the pain. I walk with a cane, have shortness of breath and I am often dizzy. The good news is I am ALIVE. I feel like I am a better husband and father as I now appreciate every day of my life and the people who helped me beat this. I am closer to my Lord and Savior than I have ever been in my life. So I went against the 18-2 vote by the doctors and today I get to hug my wife and children.

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