Thankyou

[Melissa]

When speaking to others about their individual cancer experiences and comparing it to mine (however wrong this is) I am just speechless. To me my experience was no where near as bad as what other people have been through. I want to say thank you for your strength, your courage and your inspiration.

[Loraleeb]

What is your cancer story? LLx

[Melissa]

Hey Loraleeb, I was diagnosed at 18 with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and found it was in my neck, chest and stomach. I had chemo for 6 months and then after that I was in the all clear. I feel very lucky and grateful for everything and am happy at where I am today (4 years later) Mel

[margro]

Hi Mel,congratulations on your success story!I know how you feel,I read some of the stories and I am amazed at what some people have beaten. Congratulations,once again and never forget you too showed a lot of strenght and courage to beat it!! Margro

[Melissa]

Hi Margro, Thank you for that. I don't think I ever stepped back and thought wow look what I went through and survived or gave myself a pat on the back (or my family around me). I dont know if thats a good thing or bad thing.

[margro]

Of course you (and your family)deserve a pat on the back.At a very young age you went thru something life changing.You obviously have a great deal of strength to go thru that and think.."wow,other people have it a lot tougher than me".No they don't.Take the credit and feel proud of the young lady you now are!!!! Margro

[cdimaio]

Hi Mel, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma at the age of 14 and can relate to how you feel/felt about your experience compared to others. I always see my battle as something so small and nothing compared to what others have experienced. I don't know why? I am curious to know if you have any side effects from the cancer now? Mine was in my chest and I am suffering from severe back and chest pain more recently (now over 10 years on) which has flared up progressively over the last few years. Some specialists say it is the scar tissue but I am not sure? by the way, I did realise that you posted your comment a couple years ago but hoping your still in touch with this blog!

[SILLY]

I get" what you are saying . I too have mt many others with the same cancer as me and see from blogs and photos that they had gone through so much more than me . I know these people online in another site but am going to meet one in person soon. On the other hand it was terifying for me at first .

[Melissa]

Three years on I feel like I talk about Cancer and my story less and less. Its almost just a small dot on the landscape. Of course I'll never forget but there is somethings I still deal with now that have resulted from it. I am very cautious of my immune system as it has its ups and downs. I was admitted into hospital last year (6 years on post treatment) for having a skin infection resulted from a very low white blood cell count. I can't handle too strong food or drink anymore like alcohol as it gives me stomach pains as much as what I remember while going through Chemo. I dont know if most of this stuff is a result of Chemo and not the cancer itself. Of course I also have my issues with mortality and relapse. I went to a specialist psychologist for this maybe in 2010. She gave me tools to deal with everything now and for the future. I wouldn't say its a cure but it certainly has 'heighten' the way I see people and life. Have you tried seeing an Osteopath for the back pains? I went shortly after treatment as a friend recommended me. He dealt with realigning my spine, which then freed my circulatory system/lymph nodes to drain properly and I found my whole body felt and moved alot better. I hope my experience has helped you a little

[Melissa]

Three years on I feel like I talk about Cancer and my story less and less. Its almost just a small dot on the landscape. Of course I'll never forget but there is somethings I still deal with now that have resulted from it. I am very cautious of my immune system as it has its ups and downs. I was admitted into hospital last year (6 years on post treatment) for having a skin infection resulted from a very low white blood cell count. I can't handle too strong food or drink anymore like alcohol as it gives me stomach pains as much as what I remember while going through Chemo. I dont know if most of this stuff is a result of Chemo and not the cancer itself. Of course I also have my issues with mortality and relapse. I went to a specialist psychologist for this maybe in 2010. She gave me tools to deal with everything now and for the future. I wouldn't say its a cure but it certainly has 'heighten' the way I see people and life. Have you tried seeing an Osteopath for the back pains? I went shortly after treatment as a friend recommended me. He dealt with realigning my spine, which then freed my circulatory system/lymph nodes to drain properly and I found my whole body felt and moved alot better. I hope my experience has helped you a little

[Melissa]

Hey SILLY I have noticed alot ore people being diagnosed with cancer and for me it feels like its everywhere. Goodluck with the meeting.

[Rubes1984]

Hi melissa, I love hearing survivor stories as its to give me hope. I hope u remain cancer free now and in the future :) Rubes

[SILLY]

It seems to me that a lot of young people and a lot of old people get cancer . Once you have cancer and start looking online for support groups it opens up a whole world that you did not realise was as big as that . As I've grown older I seem to hear of more people who have cancer or who know others with cancer but that is true of other illnesses too.

[maxmarrie]

Please share your cancer story