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Hi, my name is Leona. I was diagnosed with stage I
cervical Cancer , which turned out, upon surgery , to
be stage IV. So from DEC of 99 to Feb. of 2000, I
underwent chemo and massive radiotherapy. I am now a cancer
survivor, but have severe radiation damage to my lower
intestines, and so , it is an ongoing struggle.
When I was first diagnosed, I worked so hard to be
strong for everyone in my family (I am a single
parent, 4 daughters) My boyfriend would not allow me to
discuss what would happen if I died, or what I would
want to happen if I couldn't take care of
myself. (Eventually he bailed, which was somehow, a
relief.) It was as if EVERYONE was afraid of "The C
Word" I had no one I could discuss my fears with, or
my frustrations. There was no one to ask questions
that had been through it, as there was no cancer
support group in my area. Then, I found the cancer chat
room.
At first it was a little bit hard to get the "roomies"
to really talk to me, but as they warmed up, I
discovered the most caring, wonderful group of people,
and I have made some dear and incredible friends in there.
I have had support, advice, concern, caring, and
everything a family would give. We are like a family,
that hasn't met. It is amazing. Now, even though I do
not have cancer any longer, the folks in cancer chat
are my continuing support group, and I get the chance
every now and then to repay that kindness, by helping
someone in the room, either an old friend with a
problem, or a new person to the room who is going
through what I went through. We offer advice to each
other, hold out a hand, make a phone call, or just say
I Love You. And all hours, no matter what time of day
or night, there is a friend there to help beat back
the beasties lurking in the shadows, those beasties of
doubt and fear that steal your sleep and your peace
of mind. The cancer chat room offers a special kind of
friendship that can only be found through a common
bond of understanding. There are no cancer VICTIMS in
there, only warriors, survivors, and their allies.