How I Found Cancer Support in the Days Before Social Media

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When I was diagnosed with leukemia in 2004, it was before the days of social media. However, I still found an online support group that was very helpful.

June 24, 2004 is a day that is forever burned into my memory. I pulled into my driveway and opened my car door. My 11-year-old son was playing in the yard. When he saw my red eyes and the tears still trickling down my face, he asked "Did the baby die?!" He'd recently experienced the birth of a cousin. "No. I have leukemia." I blurted it out, just like that.

Of course, he didn't understand what leukemia was, and he only knew that cancer was bad. The family, including extended family, rallied into the den and we discussed what this diagnosis meant. We researched and cried and made plans to go to a major cancer center a few states away.

Believe it or not, 2004 was before Facebook was widely used. Social groups online were usually by email and daily digests. Early on, I subscribed to CURE® (Thank you, CURE®, for being free of cost to patients and caregivers.) The CURE® Cancer Guide is absolutely invaluable. I still share it with anyone I know who is newly diagnosed with cancer.)

Somehow, during my online research, I also ran across a group called Asian CML (chronic myeloid leukemia). It began as an Asian group, but by this time, it had expanded internationally.

I learned so much about my disease and received so much support from my fellow CML warriors who I connected with in this group. We shared information about how to interpret blood work and FISH/PCR reports and other tests. We shared how we managed side effects. We bolstered each other's spirits when someone was having a hard time. We cried in unison when we lost a fellow cancer warrior. We rejoiced when someone achieved remission. But most of all, I learned to live each and every day with gratitude.

I don't know if I would be living now with the appreciation for each day if I had never been diagnosed with cancer. I don't wish cancer on anyone, but if you are diagnosed with cancer, my suggestion is to look for support groups, either online or in person. Find one where you feel at home and feel supported. Let go of the little things, and may you find a reason for gratitude in each day.

This post was written and submitted by Libby Cascaden. The article reflects the views of Cascaden and not of CURE®. This is also not supposed to be intended as medical advice.

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