Reader Email of the Week
Our reader emails of the week get a lovely prize, so don't forget to add your postal address when you write in!
READER EMAIL OF THE WEEK June 19 2007
Addicted
I started reading your online magazine a couple of months ago and I love it.
I find myself always logging on to read the latest goss and enter the great competitions. I have referred two friends who themselves have become addicted to it. Keep up the good work!!
Lisanne Samuels
Thanks Lisanne, we love to hear that! Anna xx
READER EMAIL OF THE WEEK June 12 2007
Power of The Internet
Hi Anna,
I read your latest column with interest because I've recently learnt just how powerful the internet truly is.
I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma (the same cancer Delta Goodrem had) in March this year and after getting over the initial shock of it all, all I could think was how all I wanted was a friend to talk to who was in the same situation. Given the rarity of this type of cancer it wasn't easy to find such a person, let alone one who I had anything in common with. Then almost as if by a miracle (or a prayer answered) I received an email from Melody. Melody had just been diagnosed the same as me, lives in Sydney (I live in Melbourne) and was also desperately searching for a friend who could relate to her. After the first couple of emails it was like we were old friends and learnt we had a lot more in common than just our unfortunate diagnoses.
Of course we both have supportive family and friends but Melody's emails are one of the key things keeping me going right now during chemotherapy. It's so amazing to have someone to share the fear, loneliness and pain with who doesn't just sympathise with you but actually empathises with you, because they really know how it feels. We've lamented the loss of our hair together, shared our new obsession with buying hats and supported each other throughout the whole ordeal. We plan to meet in person once we both finish our treatment and have a joint 'remission' party! Meeting Melody online actually inspired me to find a way to help other Hodgkin's disease patients and survivors connect in that way, so I created a new website dedicated to just that. The Australian Hodgkin's Lymphoma Network (www.ahln.org) is my way of trying to make it easier for others out there to find each other at a time when they it most. I am still trying to spread the word about the website but even if it only helps a handful of people, I will be happy.
Anyway, I just felt compelled to share my 'miracle' story with you. I guess I just want to share with people that even from something as seemingly negative as a cancer diagnosis can come something positive.
Thanks for reading,
Natalie
Thanks Natalie, we’ll be sending you out a prize for your beautiful email.
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