Calling all Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender cancer survivors and caregivers

whistlestopgirl

Hi everyone,

I have been watching this board for a long time and see very little activity. I have to believe that in all of america there are more than a few glbt people dealing with cancer. I would love to see this board an active board like many of the others I see on this site. One possibility is to combine and make a new board open to lesbians, gay men, bi, and transgender people. Or just lets invite all the glbt to this board whatever it takes to make this a much more active and helpful board for all of us that deal with cancer on a day to day basis. I am not sure what it takes to make a new board since I am really not a techie, but I look forward to any imput to this post to see what can be done. For some people who have access to glbt centers in their cities that hold suport groups for cancer they are so lucky, but for many of us the internet is all we have to reach out and connect with others like us going through this battle with cancer. I hope that there are enough of you out there to create a active discussion group or posting group that helps us help each other. We have alot of issues unique to us while having to deal with the fight against cancer. I am asking for imput from survivors and caregivers as well as straight friends, family of glbt people. If the glbt community can have many sites for dating can we not have just one site to help us help each other during a very hard time dealing with the day to day of fighting cancer. Anyway I hope this post will help create something that I truly feel is needed so much. Thanks for listening, and I hope that there are several of you gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender people out there that want to share and support one another during a real hard journey on this road we call life.

your joking

support
So sorry you are not getting any support I am straight but I had a gay brother who I loved dearly he passed away 6 and a half years ago and I miss him every day he had a brain tumour that burst, so I am thinking about you and will pray for you. Are you going through chemo or radiotherapy now. I had chemo 3yrs ago for lymphoma at the end of my tongue now I have Malt lymphoma in my bottom eyelids I am deciding if to have radiotherapy but I think I might just put up with the teary and blurry eyes. All the best to you

congoody

I Agree
As a lung cancer survivor I need all the support I can get from friends and like minded souls - recent CT was clear with the usual radiologists caveat ( there mey be something...) so await the PET scan in 6 weeks - could go on the lung cancer site but feel at home her if there is anyone at home... Connie.

whistlestopgirl

your joking said:

support
So sorry you are not getting any support I am straight but I had a gay brother who I loved dearly he passed away 6 and a half years ago and I miss him every day he had a brain tumour that burst, so I am thinking about you and will pray for you. Are you going through chemo or radiotherapy now. I had chemo 3yrs ago for lymphoma at the end of my tongue now I have Malt lymphoma in my bottom eyelids I am deciding if to have radiotherapy but I think I might just put up with the teary and blurry eyes. All the best to you

Thanks for the response to this post
To connie and your joking,

Thanks for both of your postings to this. I really gave up on seeing any response to this post so I was very glad to see both of your replies after all this time. To your joking I am sorry for the loss of your brother,and I hope your situation will improve concerning your malt lymphoma. I am not the one with cancer it is my partner of ten years. She is undergoing chemo for the second time around after her ovarian cancer spread to her liver. We have been fighting cancer since 2008. Connie I know the wait for the pet scan probably seems like forever. My partner had to have one several months back and I remember us both waiting for the results. It seemed like an eternity. Connie I know how you feel about posting here as opposed to the other sites. Especially in my case being a caregiver it really doesn't feel comfortable posting in the straight caregiver sites. I know there are many straight but not narrow people out there, but there are still those people that are narrow minded and don't understand us. I am glad to see some of the straight people posting positive comments on our board. As I said in my initial post I would welcome posts here from gay men,transgender people,lesbians,bisexual, and straigt family and friends of glbt cancer survivors. I would hope by being inclusive of all the above this site would become more active, encouraging, and helpful to us all. Having a site that sits mostly abandoned doesn't do much for any of us. I truly hope that more people will begin to post here or as I said before start a new place on the discussion board that is more inclusive and active. I look for the day when all of us will be equaly excepted so we don't need to divide our boards, but for now that world isn't here yet. So at least to have a board that would include more of us to join forces would I hope make things more active and helpful. Thanks for listening, and if anyone knows how we can make a new more inclusive site on this discussion board please feel free to let me know.

Thanks,
Diane

annie60

congoody said:

I Agree
As a lung cancer survivor I need all the support I can get from friends and like minded souls - recent CT was clear with the usual radiologists caveat ( there mey be something...) so await the PET scan in 6 weeks - could go on the lung cancer site but feel at home her if there is anyone at home... Connie.

supporting my friends straight or gay
following your progress I had surg 12/11/09 no chemo no radiation no lymph node involve. Had not seen your posts for a while then I saw them here Hope all goes well with you and scan in May. I am still ok feeling good working full time exercising and fighting off the terror when it hits.

congoody

annie60 said:

supporting my friends straight or gay
following your progress I had surg 12/11/09 no chemo no radiation no lymph node involve. Had not seen your posts for a while then I saw them here Hope all goes well with you and scan in May. I am still ok feeling good working full time exercising and fighting off the terror when it hits.

scan anxiety
So glad to hear from you Annie - I was "lucky" (if that is ever an appropriate emotion in these circumstances) to have had my lung cancer found early - stage 1 non small cell - traditional (not VATS) lobectomy in early Dec. - found that very hard to get over - but now it is the waiting game - as you said, fighting off the terror - thank you for your good wishes and I send them your way as well - connie.

Unknown

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Sheila66

Just found the site and I'm glad to respond!
Last month I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It's all still so new and I'm reading everything I can. I'll be having a complete hysterectomy and a lymph node biopsy when I get all the financial stuff in place. I'll happily participate on this board! I don't really have anyone to talk to about the cancer. I'm staying with my mom right now while we get everything going. But we don't talk about it. So thanks for the invitation.
Sheila

Sheila66

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Facebook
I just sent you a friend invitation on Facebook. Thanks for sharing!
Sheila

Unknown

Sheila66 said:

Just found the site and I'm glad to respond!
Last month I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It's all still so new and I'm reading everything I can. I'll be having a complete hysterectomy and a lymph node biopsy when I get all the financial stuff in place. I'll happily participate on this board! I don't really have anyone to talk to about the cancer. I'm staying with my mom right now while we get everything going. But we don't talk about it. So thanks for the invitation.
Sheila

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

24242

Sheila66 said:

Just found the site and I'm glad to respond!
Last month I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It's all still so new and I'm reading everything I can. I'll be having a complete hysterectomy and a lymph node biopsy when I get all the financial stuff in place. I'll happily participate on this board! I don't really have anyone to talk to about the cancer. I'm staying with my mom right now while we get everything going. But we don't talk about it. So thanks for the invitation.
Sheila

Welcome
I am glad that others are finding their own way to this board. It must be very difficult Sheila not being able to talk about it. That is one thing I truly believe helps is being able to lay your feelings down or out of us not holding onto anything. I had an incredible partner who only got sick of talking about years after struggling our way back.
If it isn't enough dealing with the stress of finances let alone everything else one must face. We are just glad you found us Sheila and know that we will be thinking of you.
Glad you were able to move in with your mother.
Be good to yourself always,
Tara

whistlestopgirl

Sheila66 said:

Just found the site and I'm glad to respond!
Last month I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. It's all still so new and I'm reading everything I can. I'll be having a complete hysterectomy and a lymph node biopsy when I get all the financial stuff in place. I'll happily participate on this board! I don't really have anyone to talk to about the cancer. I'm staying with my mom right now while we get everything going. But we don't talk about it. So thanks for the invitation.
Sheila

Hi Sheila
Sheila,

Glad you found this board. Please feel free to email me if you want. My partner of ten years is going through treatment for endometrial/ovarian cancer. Please feel free to talk on this board or to my email anytime you want. Talking about this whole process is important for your emotional health which in turn is important for your medical health. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Take care
Diane

LilHarley

whistlestopgirl said:

Hi Sheila
Sheila,

Glad you found this board. Please feel free to email me if you want. My partner of ten years is going through treatment for endometrial/ovarian cancer. Please feel free to talk on this board or to my email anytime you want. Talking about this whole process is important for your emotional health which in turn is important for your medical health. I look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Take care
Diane

I just found this spot
Shamefully, I hadn't scrolled down this page far enough to find this board. I just clicked on breast cancer and am proud to have finally made my way here. I was diagnosed 3/10/10, had two surgeries, a partial mastectomy and return incision when clear margins were not obtained the first time. No lymph node involvement pos. hormones receptors and negative HER. Second visit to oncologist on Tuesday to find out results of chest CT and gene study on the tumor to guide me on my decision making process. So, I am eagerly awaiting the results. Will definitely have to have 6 1/2 weeks of rads and hormone therapy. Hoping to elude chemo, but will deal with it if necessary. Will check back here from time to time now that I know there is a lesbian section ;-)

LilH

congoody

LilHarley said:

I just found this spot
Shamefully, I hadn't scrolled down this page far enough to find this board. I just clicked on breast cancer and am proud to have finally made my way here. I was diagnosed 3/10/10, had two surgeries, a partial mastectomy and return incision when clear margins were not obtained the first time. No lymph node involvement pos. hormones receptors and negative HER. Second visit to oncologist on Tuesday to find out results of chest CT and gene study on the tumor to guide me on my decision making process. So, I am eagerly awaiting the results. Will definitely have to have 6 1/2 weeks of rads and hormone therapy. Hoping to elude chemo, but will deal with it if necessary. Will check back here from time to time now that I know there is a lesbian section ;-)

LilH

Welcome
I too did not see this board for the longest time - like you, did not scroll down far enough but eventually - sending good wishes for the results of your CT and hope you can elude chemo -keep us posted -
My next PET scan is in 10 days (not that I'm counting) - lung cancer -early stage 1 - here's hoping I too can elude chemo -
Best regards - connie,

LilHarley

congoody said:

Welcome
I too did not see this board for the longest time - like you, did not scroll down far enough but eventually - sending good wishes for the results of your CT and hope you can elude chemo -keep us posted -
My next PET scan is in 10 days (not that I'm counting) - lung cancer -early stage 1 - here's hoping I too can elude chemo -
Best regards - connie,

Counting
I think we all start counting days and hours more closely once we are diagnosed ;-) Praying you can elude chemo too. Stay strong and keep in touch.

LilH

whistlestopgirl

LilHarley said:

Counting
I think we all start counting days and hours more closely once we are diagnosed ;-) Praying you can elude chemo too. Stay strong and keep in touch.

LilH

Welcome to this board as well
To both LilH and to congoody,

I wish both of you the best possible test results. I am also glad you found this site. I wish it was not so far down on the discussion list. I guess probably alot of people just see the specific cancer they are dealing with and don't really go further down the list to see this board.

LilHarley

whistlestopgirl said:

Welcome to this board as well
To both LilH and to congoody,

I wish both of you the best possible test results. I am also glad you found this site. I wish it was not so far down on the discussion list. I guess probably alot of people just see the specific cancer they are dealing with and don't really go further down the list to see this board.

Thanks
Hey, thanks for the welcome. I am very glad I finally scrolled down to find this board. I feel like I'm home now ;-) Today is the big day for test results. Praying all goes well. Will let you know how things turn out. Thanks again for the warm welcome.

LilH

LilHarley

LilHarley said:

Thanks
Hey, thanks for the welcome. I am very glad I finally scrolled down to find this board. I feel like I'm home now ;-) Today is the big day for test results. Praying all goes well. Will let you know how things turn out. Thanks again for the warm welcome.

LilH

Yay!!!! No Chemo
I am so relieved that my test results came back great and there is no need for chemo. I will patiently (as much as possible) await the consult with the Radiology Oncologist to set up my rads. Will have 6 1/2 weeks then begin hormone therapy. Deep sigh!! Still have my fingers crossed and knees bent that you will have good results next week and can also elude chemo!!

LilH

congoody

LilHarley said:

Yay!!!! No Chemo
I am so relieved that my test results came back great and there is no need for chemo. I will patiently (as much as possible) await the consult with the Radiology Oncologist to set up my rads. Will have 6 1/2 weeks then begin hormone therapy. Deep sigh!! Still have my fingers crossed and knees bent that you will have good results next week and can also elude chemo!!

LilH

Halleluja
Not sure how to spell that but you know what I mean - such wonderful news - you must be so relieved - will let you know how my PET scan goes - test booked for May 5 and results I hope by the 7th - again, great news - Connie.

calliemom64

I am a Lesbian breast cancer survivor...
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Nov. 3, 2008...the day before my daughter's 10th birt hday. I went on to have a double mastectomy and 1 whole year of chemo...even though they got all the cancer with the surgery. I am a single Mom of 2, a college student (at 46!!), and have a girlfriend. We met in 8th grade, 33 years ago, but we we're both too scared to admit we were in love with each other. After graduation we lost track, and I found her after 28 years on Facebook!!! We haven't had a chance to be together yet, but on June 3, I am going to Ohio to see her, (I live in Missouri). My dilemma is that nobody but drs. & nurses have seen my scars. I am scared to death to let her see me naked. She is a Uterine cancer survivor, and her missing parts are not visible. Even if they were, I would still love her. She says that me not having breasts doesn't matter to her, just the pain I went through of going through 3 surgeries & a year of chemo with absolutely no help!
I have nobody to talk to or confide in except Linda. I've kept all of this inside me for the past year & a half. Now it is all coming to the surface & I am not dealing with it very well.
Does anybody know if ACS or Medicaid will pay for a private counselor for me to talk to? I REALLY need someone. I am literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and I am scared.
Any information you have would really help. Thank you...

angbertolino

calliemom64 said:

I am a Lesbian breast cancer survivor...
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on Nov. 3, 2008...the day before my daughter's 10th birt hday. I went on to have a double mastectomy and 1 whole year of chemo...even though they got all the cancer with the surgery. I am a single Mom of 2, a college student (at 46!!), and have a girlfriend. We met in 8th grade, 33 years ago, but we we're both too scared to admit we were in love with each other. After graduation we lost track, and I found her after 28 years on Facebook!!! We haven't had a chance to be together yet, but on June 3, I am going to Ohio to see her, (I live in Missouri). My dilemma is that nobody but drs. & nurses have seen my scars. I am scared to death to let her see me naked. She is a Uterine cancer survivor, and her missing parts are not visible. Even if they were, I would still love her. She says that me not having breasts doesn't matter to her, just the pain I went through of going through 3 surgeries & a year of chemo with absolutely no help!
I have nobody to talk to or confide in except Linda. I've kept all of this inside me for the past year & a half. Now it is all coming to the surface & I am not dealing with it very well.
Does anybody know if ACS or Medicaid will pay for a private counselor for me to talk to? I REALLY need someone. I am literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and I am scared.
Any information you have would really help. Thank you...

I am a lesbian pancreatic cancer caregiver
Im on facebook: Angela Bertolino in pittsburgh pa. Its so rough to be in this position and i would love to speak with anyone regarding this. we also have two small children and it makes it even tougher. i love her dearly but this cancer has turned me into much more of a nurse than a partner. i would love to hear from anyone with any feedback to help me cope and get my wonderful wife through this horrible disease BECAUSE WE WILL SURVIVE THIS!!!!!