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markinalexva
markinalexva Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Gay Men Talk About Cancer #1
Hi guys. just joined CSN because I'm desperate to connect with people who can relate to my experience. My partner of three and a half years who was my main support decided to leave me recently. I was diagnosed in May 2005 and finished treatment in April 2006. Now trying to figure out how to live. I appreciate any feedback, advice, even bitching and moaning.

Comments

  • Limey
    Limey Member Posts: 446 Member
    #2
    Hi Mark in VA. Mark in Minnesota here. welcome. sorry you had to find us but glad you did. I check this site quite often and will always be there to reply. I am also always on the colorectal message board. that board is really active and has been a world of help. In fact, I just got results from a recent scan and will be posting on thre today. here is a copy below. Tell me about your journey, It has to be frustrating to have your partner leave. My partner of 20 yrs has stuck by me but let me tell you it has not been easy. I am playing catch up from being gone for a week so i will catch up with you later this week.
    Mark gregory
    Limey
    Hi all, I hope you all had a great 4th vacation, time off or whatever. I have been without the internet for the last week and feel a bit out of the loop. Before I left I mentioned I was having a scan again due to back pain. Well once again the original site is lighting up and they believe it is cancer again. I will be starting my 4th go around at chemo on the 16th of this month. Part of me wants to break down and just freak out but I know that does not help. I am preparing myself to fight as many times as necessary to beat this **** of a disease.

    I refuse to let this colon cancer define who I am so I will just have to rise above it. I appreciate all the support you all give me and I am always grateful for having you as my buddies. Chemo or not, Colon Palooza here I come.
    Limey.
  • markinalexva
    markinalexva Member Posts: 7
    #3
    Limey said:

    Hi Mark in VA. Mark in Minnesota here. welcome. sorry you had to find us but glad you did. I check this site quite often and will always be there to reply. I am also always on the colorectal message board. that board is really active and has been a world of help. In fact, I just got results from a recent scan and will be posting on thre today. here is a copy below. Tell me about your journey, It has to be frustrating to have your partner leave. My partner of 20 yrs has stuck by me but let me tell you it has not been easy. I am playing catch up from being gone for a week so i will catch up with you later this week.
    Mark gregory
    Limey
    Hi all, I hope you all had a great 4th vacation, time off or whatever. I have been without the internet for the last week and feel a bit out of the loop. Before I left I mentioned I was having a scan again due to back pain. Well once again the original site is lighting up and they believe it is cancer again. I will be starting my 4th go around at chemo on the 16th of this month. Part of me wants to break down and just freak out but I know that does not help. I am preparing myself to fight as many times as necessary to beat this **** of a disease.

    I refuse to let this colon cancer define who I am so I will just have to rise above it. I appreciate all the support you all give me and I am always grateful for having you as my buddies. Chemo or not, Colon Palooza here I come.
    Limey.

    Thanks for the welcome Mark. The good news is that I'm currently cancer-free. My tumor was very low in the rectum with a high risk of a permanent colostomy. I had most of my rectum removed and they were able to save the sphincter. I had six weeks of daily radiation and chemo before the surgery and then the 5fu regimen after surgery. My attitude was pretty good and then when the treatment ended, I slipped into a depression without realizing it. Kept thinking, what if it comes back? Am I supposed to be a different person now? I'm getting help now, seeing a counselor and taking meds. My partner leaving really sent me over the edge. I still can't believe the man I was in love with just walked out but I guess I just wasn't as much fun as pre-cancer. I'm trying to remain optimistic about the future and get back to really living. Thanks for listening!

    Mark
  • SoloInCincy
    SoloInCincy Member Posts: 1
    #4
    New too
    I am new here too, just registered today. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in April. In may I had part of my colon re-sectioned and surprisingly a hernia surgery they found at the same time. I have healed well from surgery and the plumbing is working fine. Thankfully! I am living in the Cincinnati area. Most of my life long friends and all my family are back east. I have a few friends that have been great in helping through some of the tough days. I am currently working through treatment number five of chemo therapy. The side effects can be challenging, today is a good day.

    In reading that your partner left at at time when you really needed him most must have been very hard for you. It made me think, that I have no one but friends (most of which I only know a few years) to help me get through. I am doing it, but taking one day at a time. I, too am considered cancer free - but the chemo is being administered as a preventative for it coming back. I worry daily that it will come back.

    Basically what I am trying to say is that you are not alone. I joined a cancer local support group and although the part of my lifestyle that i would like to share is one that I am not comfortable with doing with these people. I wish there was a gay mans cancer support group. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Reach out to friends to distract you - it helps.

    Be strong!
  • shrevebud
    shrevebud Member Posts: 105
    #5
    SoloInCincy said:

    New too
    I am new here too, just registered today. I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in April. In may I had part of my colon re-sectioned and surprisingly a hernia surgery they found at the same time. I have healed well from surgery and the plumbing is working fine. Thankfully! I am living in the Cincinnati area. Most of my life long friends and all my family are back east. I have a few friends that have been great in helping through some of the tough days. I am currently working through treatment number five of chemo therapy. The side effects can be challenging, today is a good day.

    In reading that your partner left at at time when you really needed him most must have been very hard for you. It made me think, that I have no one but friends (most of which I only know a few years) to help me get through. I am doing it, but taking one day at a time. I, too am considered cancer free - but the chemo is being administered as a preventative for it coming back. I worry daily that it will come back.

    Basically what I am trying to say is that you are not alone. I joined a cancer local support group and although the part of my lifestyle that i would like to share is one that I am not comfortable with doing with these people. I wish there was a gay mans cancer support group. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and introduce myself. Reach out to friends to distract you - it helps.

    Be strong!

    Hello:

    Sorry that you had to find this site. I too have colon cancer, stage IV and have been fighting it for about 2 and a half years. It's great that your's was caught before it spread. This site, especially the colon cancer discussion board has helped - there are so many people on here and reading their stories helps. Glad that your feeling ok and yes, we have to take it one day at a time. Anyway, I wanted to say hi and know that there is support on this board. Take care and Happy Labor Day. Roy

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