what a difference in forums...perhaps I am spoiled

[mymom]

OK- so I have to say this. As some of you know, mom has a new primary cancer- breast. They think very early stage. NEW primary, not a met. She will probably choose to just have the affected breast removed so she doesnt need radiation or chemo. That is what she is leaning towards with immediate reconstruction in same surgery. Until they do surgery, I am not freaking out. My gut says its fine. I am much more worried about her colon cancer.

That said, of course I joined a breast cancer forum because it is a new animal (the staging for it is sooo much more complicated). Lets just say my experience with the BC forum is waaaayyyy different. I felt welcomed here within the first hour. I got more information from you than I could digest. I feel like on the other its like pulling teeth. Anyway, just figured I would let everyone know what a special place this is although you probably already know it.

[SkiFletch]

It's definitely a unique corner of the internet huh? I've been around a whole bunch of forums in my life and never found one like this

[BrownBagger]

Like you, my experience with other message boards and support groups goes something like: Post a question and check back a week later to see if anyone bothered to answer it. Oftentimes, they don't.

I don't know what makes CC different, but I do know we have a great group of intelligent, caring and articulate members, and that's what makes it work as well as it does. I wish they could all be like this--the world would be a better place.

[Lee]

This place is special, as Molly states, a jeans and T-shirt friendly type of place. There is another forum that I once belonged to, I will not mention names, but a few people on this board know who I'm referring to. The rules and the way they monitored that site is so OVER THE TOP, that they continuely lose good people. It's like a ghost town.

Once I tried to help someone there when other people gave up on him (including his own doctors). He thanked me for being nice to him. But the next day when he failed to show up for his scope (for like the 12th time), I told him he costing the hospital, Drs, nurse, etc money EVERYTIME he backs out at the last minute for these appt. Suddenly I'm not being nice to him anymore (because I made that comment to him), he reports me and I get suspended. Anyway after that I decided I was done there. I believe just about everyone I knew there has been suspended.

If it is the same site (and they have other forums besides CC), there probably not going to get much help. And it's a real shame.

Lee

[barbara jayne]

Hi All
Just felt like I had to add my thanks too !
This forum is soooo helpful and friendly,think Ive mentioned it before but I have learnt more here than from absolutely anywhere else at all !!! I think we're also a bit starved of info from the medical profession here in the UK don't know why !

Barbara x

[JAZZToo]

Lee
I still go on there occasionally to be of help if no one has answered a question that I've had experience with. I never got thrown off but did get several "demerits and warnings". Many times you don't even know if the person ever saw your response cause they don't return when they see how few and infrequently people post there. I see Alison on there too once in a while, also trying to help the newbies.

MyMom
Here is a link to a good breast cancer board and resource center: http://www.bclist.org/join.htm. There is also a chat room for breast cancer on that site.

Leslie
Lynch Syndrome
2004 ADH 5 years Tamoxifen
2003 Colon Cancer Stage III
1995 Endometrial Cancer Stage I

[TripMama]

I'm not too familiar with other sites, but this one is saving my sanity. I cannot say enough good things about it.

[mymom]

Totally checking out other sites.

[SMR]

Adding my appreciation to the mix as well. I can not fathom how much more lonely and less informed I would be without this site and all of you. My husband realized today some of what I have been doing "Behind the scenes" and asked me "who is your support?" I tapped my phone and said I have a network of friends who help me every day. He actually asked me to log in to thank you all from him, and I saw this post.

[NWgirl]

This is always the place I come first - good news or bad. I know everyone here "gets it" and I feel safe here with my feelings.

Sadly, over the past few years, we've lost some really, really great people. But it's not because they were banned - it's because of this stupid, horrible disease. I'm not one to do a lot of research on my disease - but there are a number of people here who do and are so ready and willing to share their knowledge and experiences.

My journey would be so much more difficult without The Colon Club. I am eternally grateful to Molly, all those who support this site and all who participate here.

[SugarBubbie]

I feel the same way about the breast cancer forum I would go to. No real help and "my life is over" crap. I don't have time for the negatives so that's why I come here. For the positives. Because that's what CC is , the most positive forum there is.

[Patience]

The fact that the people on this site are so helpful and welcoming is why I still linger here, even after finding out that my husband's new cancer was not CC Mets.

[Lee]

Lee
I still go on there occasionally to be of help if no one has answered a question that I've had experience with. I never got thrown off but did get several "demerits and warnings". Many times you don't even know if the person ever saw your response cause they don't return when they see how few and infrequently people post there. I see Alison on there too once in a while, also trying to help the newbies.


Leslie
Lynch Syndrome
2004 ADH 5 years Tamoxifen
2003 Colon Cancer Stage III
1995 Endometrial Cancer Stage I

Hi Leslie,

I'm glad you are going back. It was almost a yr before I realized I could not even view the site anymore (because I was suspended). Guess I'm able to view the site now, but I don't go there except once or twice a yr. Don't think I can sign in even if I wanted to. It's a shame.

Lee

Lee

[Guinevere]

I love this site! I wouldn't have gotten through my chemo and known what questions to ask if not for the help I've received here. I've checked out some of the other cancer forums and didn't feel like they would be a fit. This one fits me just fine!

[so-scared]

I echo what all the others have said. I really don't post too much but read daily. I have learned so much here in a relatively short period of time. The information and support here is so helpful to so many!!

So-s