Hi everyone, 

As we look forward to a great 2015, I Had Cancer wanted to catch you up on some recent news. Let’s make 2015 better than 2014! Please let us know if you have any questions, comments or requests for our team!

Recent Blog Posts (please email emily@ihadcancer.com to learn more)

• This Is For Anyone Who Has Just Been Diagnosed with Cancer If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with cancer, share this letter with them - written by a survivor who was given only a few months to live eighteen years ago.
• What Type of Chemo is Right for You? - CorrectChemo is a test that reveals which chemo will kill the cancer cells of an individual patient. It allows patients to take control of their treatment plan.
• It's Okay To Ask For Help During Cancer - Cancer is difficult. It is not shameful to admit that you don't have the means, energy or time to accomplish whatever it is that you wish to do when dealing with cancer. You can't do it alone, so why not ask for help?

Recent Dear Cancer Messages (What do you have to say to cancer? Let it out.)

• You have scarred me but you can never break me or my faith. You have taught me the true meaning of life and how to live a happy life. You taught me true laughter and that sometimes laughing is the best medicine. You taught me to be grateful for each day. As long as I have the strength and determination you will never break me! (click here to comment)
•  Dear Darling Cancer, I made you my best friend - thought about you night and day. And that way you got way less scary. Keeping you, my enemy, close, I realised you needed me for your own survival. You are so co-dependant, like nothing else, and weak because of it. If I die, you die so your game is stupid. When you realise that you get even weaker and I get your strength. Sucked in! We were an inseparable couple, but you were not my better half. I focussed on you til I realised I wanted to focus on my Self and my body instead. I did stuff that makes me feel free and beautiful. Stuff that made my world beautiful, like swinging on the swings in the kids playground. And that earned me my continued mental wellbeing by creating peace of mind. Beauty is one of the medicines of the soul, or so said Walt Disney and I believe him. Through you I learned to listen - to know the difference between emptiness, compassion and silliness. I can still hear the truth of a thing because of the skills I learned through your presence. I discovered I have a voice because of you, and that voice is worth hearing. That internal voice saved my life, destroyed you, and now I'm coming up to 22 years post 3-month prognosis. You might be the most horrible thing roaming the entire universe, but you're powerless over a well made up mind living with a peaceful soul. (click here to comment)

Recent Facebook post (Don't forget to Like us on FB!)

• There are thousands of people on ihadcancer.com who need your help - answer their questions, tell them what you learned, remind them that there is hope. Help yourself by helping others. (I Had Cancer Facebook Page)
• "Diagnosed on my 17th birthday with progressed stage papillary carcinoma thyroid cancer. The only word to describe how I felt is "confused." Confused about what would happen, was this the end? This wasn't the first time for cancer to affect the family, with my father sadly losing his battle 3 years previous. If I hadn't have gone to my GP with a common cold, the biopsy would not have been carried out on the lump I had discovered which I had mistaken as a swollen gland. I had one week left before the cancer tumour surrounded my voice box and it would have been too late. Shortly after my cancer treatment and operation, I returned to high school. Now, 6 years on, I am in remission, and have graduated from University with my Honours degree in Psychology, and continuing my study and career in Clinical Psychology. Cancer is a part of my life, and I continue to upkeep my regular appointments to ensure my health is at the best it can be. My large neck scar is a reminder of how lucky I am to be here today. Being a teenager with cancer didn't prevent my life from progressing, it gave me the motivation to succeed. " – Shannon #YoungAdultCancerAwareness (I Had Cancer Facebook Page) 

Recent Discussion Questions (Ask anything you want on our discussion board.)

• I have breast cancer that has metastasized to my bones. I am open for any type of treatments that anyone else has gone through to get rid of this type of cancer. I am completely open to suggestions and would love any feedback. Thank you! (click here to answer)
•  I was diagnosed with AML in January 2014. Then I had an induction chemo that put it into remission. That followed 3 consolidation chemos. Then in August 2014, in humble gratitude to an unseen donor, I underwent a stem-cell transplant (bone marrow transplant). Now, there are blast cells in my blood and yesterday I was given a transfusion. Looks like there is nothing more to be done to prevent the disease taking over. Does anyone have any suggestions? (click here to answer)

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Thanks for all of your support.
- The IHC Team