or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer?

My name is Frank and since 1988 I have fought off six major attacks of cancer, all of which were deadly.
In 2002 I came down with Indolent NHL Follicular cancer. When I finished up a series of treatments, I was put on maintance theraphy. 2/3 the way through treatment, I was found to have Ewings sarcoma in my right leg. After chemo and radiation, I may have to finish off my last maintance treatment. Life is hard and very difficult, but I seem to be doing quite well.

I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 2004. My first reaction was "I want to get rid of the damn thing as soon as possible". I consulted an onco surgeon and gynaec and after all the tests were done, I was operated upon. A month later, I was scheduled for chemotherapy. I took 6 sessions in all and now I go for regular check ups which include sonography, Blood test - CA125, and a CT scan once in 6 months.

When I was diagnosed with Melanoma at the age of 8, I thought my life was over. I stopped eating and felt very depressed. My fourth grade teacher helped me regain my self-esteem. He also told me about a 24 hour cancer fundraiser called Relay for Life. I became involved with the American Cancer Society as a speaker and corporate fundraiser.I never knew how many people had this disease. Thirty-five family members have fought cancer (seven are melanoma).
Since then I've had 15 surgeries.more than half of them are keloied scars. They are very large and ugly, but without them I would not be here. Melanoma will return, so I must be very aware about changes in my moles and visit the dermatologist every three months. I learned to accept emotional lows associated with my cancer. I will live a full and productive life despite this disease.

I am a 19 year breast cancer survivor. When I was diagnosed I was already stage III. My cancer had spread to 9 of my lymph nodes. I had a modified radical mastectomy, 10 rounds of chemotherapy and 28 radiation treatments. One year after I finished treatment I had a simple mastectomy for my nondiseased breast followed by silicone implants. I have never had any problems and by the grace of God am here 19 years later.

I was diagognosed with ovarian cancer in 1990. It was in final stages. Had my doctor not done some exploritory surgery the cancer wouldn't of been found and I'd only had 6 months to live. So after surgery, I began the chemo treatments. I went through all the "normal" emotional reactions, but finally came to a level of acceptance. What helped me the most to survive is my faith in the Lord and having the support of my former Pastor's wife. She was dealing with cancer. She took time to answer my questions. Cancer changed my view on life, that people are more important than things. I wasn't materilistic minded before cancer. I had just graduated from Bible college. Looking back, I am more than thankful for the Biblical foundation that helped me. Even though I asked God, "Why?" I learned that He doesn't owe me an explanation, but He asks me to trust Him. Jeremiah 17:11, "For I know the plans I have for you to give you a hope and a future..." I clung onto this verse even when I couldn't understand.

Half way through the chemo, the cancer returned. I was more apprehension. The night before surgery, I was called to the ER because my doctor thought the cancer had spread into my liver. So on the way to the ER my first thought was, "I'm dying and this is it." So while the tests were being done, I was laughing and carrying on with the tech people. God gave me an unexplainable peace that regardless of the outcome. Nothing can seperate me from Him, so either way I win. I didn't pray for healing, but asked for acceptance.

The morning of surgery everything went as planned. The doctor came to my room and said, "I could not find a trace of the cancer." I smiled and said, "There were people praying for you and me." So between mid-night and 7:AM the next morning, God chose to heal. There was medical evidence that the cancer had returned, because my counts were elevated and there was some abdominal swelling.

Friends and family helped, bu being supportive. My Pastor's wife helped by listening and encouraging me to not hold everything within.

Keeping a positive attitude factored in and not dwelling on the negative. Keeping as much as possible a daily routine. Taking time to play and laugh. Knowing that it was more than all right to take care of me. Yet, learning to allowe others to help carry the load.

Presently, I have been in remission for 15 years. I go once a year for my CA125. Counts continue to stay in a normal range. I know the Lord has a purpose and a plan for my life.

In 2007, I will have an article published, "In the Eye of the Storm." Through Leaps of Faith: Out of the Heart, Women Speak. It's my desire to encourage other ladies who have survived cancer.

My name is Ashley. Im 17 years old. 2 days after my 15th birthday I went in for surgery, and after a seven hour surgery, I was told that I had thyroid cancer. So I dont have a thyroid now, and I have to take synthroid every morning to keep me alive. Every summer I get sick because I have to go off my pills so that they can moniter my thyroid level just to make sure that no cancer is left. Im slowly getting better now.

I was diagnosed with cervical cancer when I was 24 y.o., just 6 months after my husband died.
Then when I was 44 I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. And last year, 3 weeks after my husband died of esophagael cancer, I was diagnosed with anal cancer. I've finished all my treatments...surgery, chemo, radiation, and keeping my fingers crossed.
A CT has shown 2 small nodules in my chest..one in my lower left lung and the other in the pericardium close to my heart, but my oncologist says they are too small for a surgeon to be able to find so she says we need to just watch them. I'm a little uneasy about this.

I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma 2 1/2 yrs. ago, and had my kidney removed 2 mo.s later. I was in a state of shock because I remember not being very scared. Afterwards I sure was though. Every sneeze or cough or pain sent me running for my doc. I had 3 specialists also, and all the appt.s and the wrong diagnosis' from them would just about send me over the edge. I had anemia, dizzy spells, insomnia, and nodules in my lungs and 1 on my remaining kidney. I am finally feeling a LITTLE peace, but I do still get scared before a CT.