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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.

NWBelle's picture
NWBelle Connect

Survivor: Colon and Rectal Cancer

Dear Cancer, You took a large part of my colon and with it my ability to eat a normal, healthy diet. You took at minimum a year of my life. You took time away from my ability to be actively present in my children's lives at a critical time in their development. You took my independence and confidence in many ways. You did show me how many people in our community care about me, about us and about helping. You did let me see love in new ways and the depth of friendships. You proved to me that I am a fighter and I am brave and courageous even when I think I'm not. Cancer, you took my sense of self, the "old self" and I am lost trying to sort out who the "new self" is. You took large pieces of my sense of identity. I don't know who I am, or how I fit in, or where I fit in the world outside of cancer. In my family, with my friends, in the broader community. It all seems foreign to me now. You say I'm a survivor. What does that mean? I still grapple with you daily Cancer, even when others think its "over." I know it's not. I won't give up, though there are days that seems easier. I know I still have to dig deep to find that courageous and bravery to fight you even if I'm told I'm cancer free. You and I both know I'm not. But, I will find a way to take my power back from you. I will carry on.

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