Case study needed for journalism project

Hi everyone,

I thought I’d start my own topic as it seemed less intrusive than commenting on other people’s. I’m part of a group of journalism students creating a magazine aimed at young female cancer patients as part of our coursework.

The magazine is never actually published but it has the chance to be entered into some national awards.

I’m putting together a feature called: ‘letter to my cancer’, based on an idea I’ve seen on a few blogs whereby patients write a letter to their cancer as if it was a person.

I’m told by patients who we have been in touch with regarding this and other ideas for the magazine that writing these letters can be very theraputic.

If anybody felt like helping out I’d love to have your contribution. It doesn’t have to be long, around 300 words and it can take any tone you want – it can be fighting talk, poigniant, funny or just realistic. All we’d need would be the letter and a photo attached. And, like I say, it’s never actually published.

If this is something you’ like to help with then email me at joa09ec@shef.ac.uk

Thanks!

E x

Support Groups in NYC for Teens?

Does anyone know of any good support groups in NYC for teens living with Cancer? I’m working with a 16-y/o girl who suffered a Synovial Carcoma. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

Houston Chapter Teens living with cancer?

Do you have a Houston Chapter?

am I alone?

im Brooke. i just turned 16 on friday… well around september i stared having some pretty wacky things go on with me.. i started to get bad nose bleeds and i started getting weird bruises all over me and i was always tired id wake up in the middle of the night covered in sweat and yet it be to weak to get up… my mom begain to relize this was happening she also has cancer so does my soon to be step dad. she took me to the doctor and sure enough i had cancer(AML) they did radiation for about two weeks and i was out of school but it didnt help much… so my mom put me back in school. i didnt wanna start chemo but surly enough this morning i started it back up): my friends dont really understand they are saying that they are always going to be here… but what about when i started to look like a freak or when my medication starts to make me gain weight then what? they already thought i was lying about it… they said i wasnt showing symtoms when really im just hiding all my pain from them… the truth is im in so much pain you couldnt believe it! i can barley move without every bone in my body aching. im already loosing my hair… and im scared to go back to school! what will everybody say… i dont even want my friends to know whats going on… let alone the whole school… im scared they will mistake me for a guy. what i dont get is why me? what did I do? did i do something to desurve this… im just a normal kid… my friends say that they will always be here for me but really i feel alone… that why im glad i found this web page… i dont feel so alone anymore i feel like i finally have people to relate to(:

I want to be a listening friend

Hey everyone! I am a teen who does not have cancer but is very interested in helping those who do. I am sure all of you are thinking “oh not another one of those” But seriously, I want to change the world and help people. I Love listening to people and I would love to talk to you via email if you are ever bored.
So, If you are ever online and need a friend to talk or just vent to, email me! I would love to listen and support you. Don’t wory, I wont get all mushy and stupid on you. I just want to help some cool friends in a way that I like. I love my computer so I check my email almost every day.

Anyway, thanks for listening and I would love to listen to you, my email is:
graphicbirdie@gmail.com

rhabdomyowhatever

hi, im alyssa, and im 15 years old and i have rhabdomyosarcoma and i am looking for someone to relate to. i. am. so. bored. i have seen, like every movie there ever was, and have done nearly EVERY SINGLE CRAFT at the damn hospital and my friends dont exactly have cancer and i am looking for someone to RELATE. its not like i can just look up on my fone, ‘hey maybe i should text some of my cancer buddies’ NO. when you walk down the street, you dont exactly see people, teenagers my age, walkin around and you wave to them like, ‘sup, leukemia?’ ‘yep’ AGAIN, NO. and since i’m in the middle of treatment and have my medications down pat, i’m like nyan cat. flying in the sky. singing all the time. and thats when i DONT have them drugs. so, all im asking for, is some one to talk too. hell, im so desparate that i would talk to even an online pervert if he was intresting. BUT DONT GO GETTIN IDEAS. and i dont want a sympathetic adult or a helpful friend. AW HELL NAW did you just hear me? RELATE PEOPLE. anyways, this iis too fucking long. oh yeah and those who are not so bright in the head, i guess this is a “PG” message. yes. i went there. anyway, goodbye

Luekemia,girl

hi, im teya geer and im 15 i was diagnosed with cancer at 2 years old, went into remisson at 5, i am scared and afraid to get cancer again, so i wanted talk to people who had some experiance to cause after all these years i feel alone and that no one understands me but all of you do and i feel better, i hope you guys stay well, and the same for myself, and sorry im new its my first time on here, its nice to really truely no that you may feel alone but theres another one out there and your not alone.merry christmas

Lil Angel-Leukemia

hi, um i am Teya Geer, i was diagnosed with cancer when i was to, i have been in remission since i was 5, and i am terrified of getting cancer again, i feel so alone, i am really scared. i hope you guys will be okay its my first time on here so im kinda shakey i am so glad to really no im not alone. i am less scared. i hope all of our wwishes and dreams come true, early, MERRY CHRISTMAS,good luck

Life Changes

Hi, My name is Devon. I’m 19 years old. I have Hodgkin lymphoma stage 2a. I got diagnosed in September, after I had open chest surgery to get a big portion of the tumor out. I dont know anyone my age dealing with cancer. I wish this on nobody, but I still wish I had someone to talk to that understands what I’m going through. Even though I have cancer I still think my life is amazing. I just got engaged to the love of my life Keith. I have a supportive family and friends. I also have the faith of God and knowing that he will always help me through the bad stuff that happens in life. Well, if anyone wants to talk I have a cell phone and I have a facebook. Just let me know. xoxoxoxo
CANCER SUCKS!!!!!!!!

Post-Radiation Sarcoma

So I just had a recurrence after 8 years of being cancer free. I was originally diagnosed with Synovial Sarcoma in 2002, and was cleared for remission in 2003. This summer I found a tumor n ear my original one (right knee) and had it biopsied, radiated, and removed. Now I’m facing 6-8 months of chemo.

The tricky situation is that the biopsy tentatively revealed that I had the same cancer as before. However, after they removed the tumor and analyzed it, they found that it was a different form of cancer known (in layman) as Post-Radiation Sarcoma. Basically, the radiation I received in 2002/03 caused a completely separate mutation and cancer to form 8 years later.

Everything in my prognosis looks good, and I suppose it doesn’t change things very much, although I may have opted for amputation if I knew the true circumstances of the tumor. Frankly, I could opt for amputation now, if I so decided.

I’m wondering if anyone else has dealt with this kind of tumor. It’s really confusing to think about…. I don’t know whether to be relieved or upset. On one hand, it’s a good thought to think that there weren’t Synovial Sarcoma cells hanging out in my leg for 8 years. On the other, I’m now afraid of what radiation therapy can do to me in the future (even though they’ve implemented new technology in that field).

~Evan

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