Postby ChiMama » Sat Dec 31, 2016 2:03 pm
Hi Nik
I just want to give you a virtual hug! I don't know all that has gone on, since I can't read all the posts...
but when I first started researching colon cancer after my diagnosis, and found this board, you were one of the people I noticed first. Your openness, vulnerability, and most of all your consistent presence. You respond to almost everyone, and that means a lot.
I've been a discussion board participant for over 23 years, and have been a moderator on many - including a health chat on the old AOL, and I've seen it all - the good, the bad, the ugly, and the WTF. As you say, times change, boards evolve (or devolve), personalities clash, words are misread, misunderstood, disagreements arise, feelings get hurt, and people come and go for a variety of reasons.
But, with all that said, I certainly hope and believe that all are welcome here - even though there may be differences or disagreements. There is something here for everyone - information, resources, connection, and most of all, hope. As a newer member, I think all points of view are valuable, and I would hope that the bigger picture of why we're all here would take precedence over personality or communication style issues. It's people like you, who offer a word here and there, hope for some, challenge for others, information, direction, compassion, hope, who are the backbone of places like this. Your consistent presence has made a difference for me and I'm sure many others.
This is a difficult time of year for many people, a difficult situation most of us are dealing with, and a difficult world we're in right now. We don't have to agree with everyone and everything here, but I think it's important to have compassion for others, as well as for ourselves. Know that you are appreciated for the contribution you've made to me, and others who may read but don't yet participate.
Let's make it a happy new year!
4/21/16 First Colonoscopy @59
DX high grade dysplasia
Fibroid uterus, liver cysts, lung nodules
6/17/16 Open surgery: hysterectomy, X 12.5cm sigmoid, 29 LN
T2N0M0 Stage 1 Mod diff adeno 5.2cm x 4.1. Gyne benign, Lynch neg
CT 7/27/16 Ground Glass & spiculated lung nodules, thyroid nods, watching.
2017/18/19 Scopes: polyps. Scans stable
2019 Endo: hiatal hernia. 2 breast biopsies, benign
5/20 GGN 1.1cm. Biopsy: adenocarcinoma/primary lung cancer. Robotic VATS upper left lobe. 1A
Mama to a rescue Chihuahua