tyro

Is it still banned in competition skating?

T

For me, Alex Hogh Andersen (grown-up Ivar) is THE one. All the other men are gorgeous, true, but Alex is IT.

T

I had my first just a few months ago. I'm young-ish (47 now, 46 then), so I did it only at my GI doc's request. The guys are right: the worst part really is the prep. Be prepared to visit the porcelain throne about two dozen times. My doc also prescribed a prep (can't remember its name), but insurance didn't cover it. If there is a dulcolax/miralax option with Gatorade or Crystal Light or something, that would be much cheaper.

T

Yes I did and although it wasn't all warm and fuzzy, I got the impression that when @latbear4blk put all of his differences aside - and there were many political and otherwise - he came to a place where he recognized Daddy for the man he was and what he stood for. I felt that what @latbear4blk wrote was personal and heartfelt and wanted to share it with us. That was his genuine tribute to Daddy in his own way of expressing it.

Yasssssssss........

I mean, anyone who comes to this forum NOT expecting clashes of opinion from intelligent, educated gay men is, uh, naive at best.

Feeling so very sad right now. You gentlemen have seen this lil' pasty-white cis-gendered straight gal through some shit for the past near-decade. Thank you, Daddy, for creating this safe -- and I dare say, sacred -- space. Long may it live. RIP.

T

Thank you to EVERYONE who has replied to this thread! FreshFluff and Lookin, thank you for the very logical suggestions. I have seen both an oncologist and a cancer surgeon out-of-network, out-of-pocket AND got a procedure done by an out-of-network provider. (Un-ironically enough, it was the EUS done on January 6th -- the only procedure that yielded something "real" rather than images described as "unremarkable.") The aforementioned procedure was supposed to be authorized beforehand and was not (that's its OWN story...) resulting in a bill totaling 65% what I grossed last year. My insurance seems to be taking care of that now, but it was a pretty major stressor for a bit.

As far as getting support, my dad has been driving 100+ miles to my place to take me to most of my appointments. Because of the dizzy spells, I don't want to drive more than 15 miles one way if I have to. He has been my extra set of eyes and ears, which has been great. My sister hooked me up with a health advocate organization who helped me get through to insurance about the previously unapproved PET scan. I doubt it did any good because it took a new request from a totally different doctor, but it is good to know organizations like that exist. Speaking of organizations, Imerman Angels is supposedly finding me a support mentor around my age with a similar type of cancer, but I don't know how successful they'll be; I'm a bit of a unicorn. I will ask my palliative care specialist about any/all local support groups too.

T

@tyro You’re in the Midwest, right? How is your insurance? Could you ask your doctor refer you to someone at Mayo who is doing cutting edge work?

 

Being assertive with medical staff is difficult in the best of times and more so when you’re worried and not feeling your best. But it’s often the best way to get results.

My insurance is crap, to put it bluntly. No oncologists from University Hospitals or the Cleveland Clinic are in my HMO, let alone anyone out of state. Of course, when I had to renew/choose my insurance plan on December 15th, no one had even mentioned the word cancer. The theory back then was that maybe I had Chron's and MS (which would explain the stomachaches, small intestine irritation, ulcers, dizzy spells, and double vision.) What a difference a few months makes......

T

I'm so sorry to learn of this major health challenge on top everything else that's happening ...

I will certainly keep you in my positive thoughts, and will visuallize the best and speediest possible outcome.

Thank you so much! Big long-distance hug.

T

Welcome back! I hope you can stick around for a long time.?

Me toooooo!

T

I really like Nathan Chen's combination of Athleticism and Artistry. His Ballet training has given him excellent posture. He also skates complete programs where he focuses the same level of energy on the spins and footwork as on the jumps.

The triple Axel is a terribly difficult jump, the only jump started skating forward which means it is 3.5 rotations. Still he really needs to get this fixed, particularly for the short program where it will be compulsory. The starting value of a triple Axel is 8.5 while a double is only 3.5. Shoma Uno from Japan has been very impressive and will be one to watch. Rippon has always been inconsistent, and I doubt that the pressures of an Olympic Games performance will help his consistency. For me, the three favorites are Chen, Fernandez, and Uno- but the Russians, and Chinese also have strong challengers on the Men's side.

Now that Shoma has been working with Stephane Lambiel, I wonder how that could shake things up.

T

The grace and courage that you are displaying leave me without adequate words of admiration and inspiration. Here is hoping that you will be updating us with some more positive news very soon.

 

My best wishes.

Oh geez. Big sniff. Thank you.

T

I'm so sorry we have to meet again in such trying circumstances, and this compounds my regrets that I came so close to being able to meet you when I was in DC for the 2016 forum lunch. People come and go from here and we often don't notice until someone, be it the poster or one of our other co-conspirators in this enterprise remark on it. You are one of those whose absence I had noted and wondered about, and missed their presence. Strength to the hands of your doctors but more so to you as you fight this. I know I am not alone in looking forward to your safe and healthy return both here and to a normal daily life. My fond thoughts are with you.

Thank you, Mike.

T

So glad to see yo again, Tyro. I sometimes wondered where you had gone. I’m very sorry to hear about the scans. I will be thinking of you as you see your doctors. You are smart and educated, which will help a great deal.

Thank you, O Fluffy One!

T

It’s wonderful to hear from you! Meeting you at the Chicago gathering those years ago was a highlight, and your posts have always been a delight. Regrettable circumstances this time around but I‘m with the others in sharing hope and sending good vibes your way. ???

 

Please share as much as you’re comfortable with here. We’re indeed a family and here to provide support. Especially for a salty broad!

The forum's Chicago meetup was a blast. Everyone was so welcoming and fun. Thank you for the good wishes.

T

I send the very best vibes to you, @tyro.

Thank you so much.

T

Great to see you here again...delightful. Keep in touch please! ????

Thank you. Will do.

I hope you have a successful outcome. Chemotherapy has come a long way in the past 5+ years. Good luck jumping your next hurdle

Yes...because my bile duct was blocked, part of the delay for treatment has been from waiting for the stent to work its magic. My bilirubin is now at a 2.5, way down from 15.1.

Hey T!.....I'm one of the old-timers (membership seniority, that is!!) around here and certainly remember you (and the two other ladies).......thanks for the update and I'll certainly be keeping you in mind......please keep us updated......and remember: laughter is the best medicine!

 

OMG...what a good song...an oldie but goodie!

T

We seemed to have scared off most the women posters here. I am very glad to see you back but I am very sad as to the nature of your post. No matter what the prognosis, for any one individual it is 100% one way or the other. So for you, 100% cure is what I am hoping for no matter the odds. There are many here who would gladly support you in the same manner we have supported others here who have gone through tough times. Our internecine battles belies the strong family ties of this site. Please keep us informed.

We do put the fun in dysfunctional, that's for sure. Thank you for the good wishes.

T

Yes, I remember you, @tyro, as one the nicest members here. So, it with hope and many prayers, that I (we) hope for the very best Please, please keep us up to date!!

What a sweet thing to say. The VAST majority of folks here are very easy to be sweet to.

T

Hey, lady

 

Thank you for posting an update. I'm very sorry to hear about your health challenge. Sending good thoughts your way.

Thank you, R. It's good to know you're thinking about me. You were so supportive when things fell apart a few years ago. I've never forgotten that.

T

Thank you, Marylander! Big long-distance hug.

T

Thank you, Joe.

T

Hey (mostly) gents and (a few select) ladies!

It has been a LONG time since I've posted here and even longer since I've posted consistently. There have been a few very big changes recently. On January 6th, cancer cells were found in a lymph node near my liver. Further scans showed a tumor in the bile duct area. (Medical folk, they're calling it a "Klatskin.") We don't know yet if the cancer began in my gallbladder or inside my intrahepatic bile duct or what. March 6th, I'm getting a PET scan that will supposedly help pinpoint the primary site. For those of you who don't know, cancer cells in a lymph node = stage 3 almost all the time. A diagnosis of any cancer in the gallbladder/pancreas/liver/bile duct area = shitty prognosis. I'm meeting with my oncologist on March 9th to discuss the results, and it's not exactly an appointment I'm looking forward to.

Back in 2015 when my life upended itself, people from this fellowship -- only a few of whom I'd met in person -- sent flowers, encouraged me, and got me through a very rough time. This is another one. I have no idea how many of you folks even remember me, but I would appreciate any positive energy you could send my way.

Thank you so much in advance,

T

Hey everybody! I haven't posted fo' a minnit, but a thread about Toy Boy brought me back!

First of all, ignore everything dealing with the police, the murders, and the murder investigations. Stupid AF.

Second, do NOT listen to it in English. Listen in Spanish, read in English.

Third, prepare your eyeballs for a feast. Although the actors playing strippers were not all my "type," they were ALL beautiful men.

But THIS is the reason to watch this show:

Jairo (and his relationship with Andrea.)

Holy shit is Carlo Costanzia FINE. DAYUM! Jairo, his character, has this very endearing, sweet, lovable, little-boy/puppy-dog quality that I found much more believable than any of the plot. Jairo and Andrea are the two youngest characters, and maybe that's why they are willing to give love an honest try. I'm not ashamed to admit that I re-watched Carlo's scenes MANY times. He's just delicious. Ivan and German are quite good-looking as well, but Jairo is the heart-stealer.

And folks, if you have not yet seen God's Own Country, WATCH IT TODAY. NOW. It became my #1 favorite movie only about halfway through. In some ways, Jairo is Gheorghe's "brother from another mother." Just watch it. You'll see what I mean.

T