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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.

Katya's picture
Katya Connect

Survivor: Breast Cancer

Dear Cancer 13 years ago you came into our life, uninvited. You attacked the man I thought least vulnerable to mortality, my father. First prostate cancer, then aggressive Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, then colon cancer. We weathered each storm as a strong family, and marvelled at my father's strength and resilience through radiation, multiple chemo therapies and bone marrow transplant. We were shocked at each prognosis (3 months to live, 10 years ago!!!), and learned to not heed the oncologist's dire warnings that "this complication will kill him, it's just a matter of time now." Time and time again, my father has fought the good fight, rebounded and reclaimed his life. Now, 13 years later, he is in remission; and the oncologists are amazed that there is no cancer in my father's body today, and there hasn't been for over three years. Coincidentally, my father started alternative therapies at this time. he credits his life to them. Miracles can and do happen, and I firmly believe personal outlook and belief in your medecines are a major factor in them. Three years ago Cancer came into my life, again uninvited. I was diagnosed with Grade 3 Breast Cancer. I had the lumpectomy and radiation and was graced with two and a half years remission. This summer it came back, and I have just gone through a bilateral mastectomy where they removed ten tumours from my left breast. The future is scary and unknown, and I pray that I will have the courage and grace to approach whatever comes with the strength I have witnessed in my father. Prayers for everyone's Strength and Grace Katya A poem I wrote for my Dad Superman When I was little I believed that my Father was Superman. He was the strongest, smartest, most capable man I knew, and I believed in him completely. As I grew up, my dad became human to me; fallible yet wise, capable of sustaining injury but always recovering. As my father grew older, I learned that this life is tenuous and everyone of us mortal, and my father taught me what it means to be a true warrior. To approach each obstacle with grace and humour, to stare death in the eye and never flinch, to do what has to be done with courage and dignity. I am forever grateful for these lessons. Now that I am older I have come full circle and have returned to knowing, without a doubt, that my Dad IS Superman.
Dec 06 2013 5:51pm |
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