Where are the OG Freaks? Members from past 10+ years

[jye4ever]

greygoose

I have noticed and have missed you.

We are all family here and god bless you my fellow geek your contributions were always and are still appreciated.

Joe

 

[ZE_501]

Hi all.

For those that know me, you may have noticed my lack of activity of the past few months.

Unfortunately, at the start of 2024, I received the devastating news that I have terminal stage 4 bowel cancer (age 36). It's been an awful year, however after 20 cycles of chemotherapy and a major colon resection (I now have a stoma), I'm still fighting. Given my diagnosis it's almost a miracle I'm still here now.

Anyway, cancer aside, I just wanted to reach out to you guys on here. Initially I was happy to just fade away and no longer post here - other things become priority. However, given the good times I've had here since 2010 and the good people I've connected with, I just wanted to let people know of my situation.

This forum was a key part of my mid-20s and early 30s. So many good times!

Hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year.

Andrew (greygoose).

Dude. I noticed you weren't around and just assumed that you know, people come and go from the hobby and the forums.

There are no adequate words for what you're experiencing that don't trail off into platitudes. I'm glad you're still around and wishing you best outcomes.

 

[greygoose]

greygoose

I have noticed and have missed you.

We are all family here and god bless you my fellow geek your contributions were always and are still appreciated.

Joe

Cheers Joe.

I've been lurking however having the energy to join conversation has been missing over the months.

As you said, there has always been a core family theme here. I've seen people come and go over the years. Living with a terminal illness gives you the opportunity to make peace with parts of your life and say goodbyes before it's too late.

 

[greygoose]

Dude. I noticed you weren't around and just assumed that you know, people come and go from the hobby and the forums.

There are no adequate words for what you're experiencing that don't trail off into platitudes. I'm glad you're still around and wishing you best outcomes.

Is what is it bud, absolutely ******* ****!

Didn't want to bring attention to myself however, as I've just replied to Joe, I felt the need to check in with you guys and let you know my reason for not being here was because I didn't like the place.

 

[jye4ever]

Cheers Joe.

I've been lurking however having the energy to join conversation has been missing over the months.

As you said, there has always been a core family theme here. I've seen people come and go over the years. Living with a terminal illness gives you the opportunity to make peace with parts of your life and say goodbyes before it's too late.

greygoose it’s good that you reach out to strangers like us to talk and update us with your situation you need to let others hear your thoughts and for that i’m very honored to have always interacted with you my fellow forum friend.

Let it be about you that’s perfectly fine.

 

[ebor]

Thanks for sharing Andrew(the OG greygoose!) Family and health takes priority over everything else in this world. It’s great to hear that you are recovering and doing better. Peace and love to you and your family this Christmas! I hope your 2025 and beyond is much better!

 

[greygoose]

greygoose it’s good that you reach out to strangers like us to talk and update us with your situation you need to let others hear your thoughts and for that i’m very honored to have always interacted with you my fellow forum friend.

Let it be about you that’s perfectly fine.

I've been very open with friends and family about my cancer journey. Happy to share it with others.

Unfortunately, given my age, I received a late diagnosis. By reaching out to everyone, maybe one day I can help someone in the future. Cancer can get us all, at any age! Trust your body and don't take any crap from a professional who thinks they know best.

 

[greygoose]

Thanks for sharing Andrew(the OG grey goose!) Family and health takes priority over everything else in this world. It’s great to hear that you are recovering and doing better. Peace and love to you and your family this Christmas! I hope your 2025 and beyond is much better!

Thanks.

Recovery is a tricky word these days. The new chemo regime I'm on is hard.

Hoping to have a better Christmas than last year - they discovered the primary colon tumour on Christmas Eve. Full diagnosis on 5th Jan. Last Christmas and New Year was an awful experience for us all.

 

[batsheva]

Andrew,
I will pray for you. Keep fighting the good fight, miracle is real.
Always think positive and believe that you will get better.
May the force be with you, always.

 

[greygoose]

Andrew,
I will pray for you. Keep fighting the good fight, miracle is real.
Always think positive and believe that you will get better.
May the force be with you, always.

Thank you.

 

[a-dev]

Shocking news Andrew. And if I'm shocked I can't imagine what it's been like for you to go through it.

What can one say, I'm just really sorry that this has happened to you. There's a lot of good people on this site and you've always been one of them, a standout name and contributor to the discussions and the fun around here with cool sigs and avatars. I seem to recall you helping people out with those. Well, in any case I hope to continue seeing you around for as long as possible. These new HT Predators aren't going to critique their own inaccuracies, we need everyone on deck, wristblades out.

All the best to you Andrew,

Andrew (My name too!)

 

[swtimes11]

Hi all.

For those that know me, you may have noticed my lack of activity of the past few months.

Unfortunately, at the start of 2024, I received the devastating news that I have terminal stage 4 bowel cancer (age 36). It's been an awful year, however after 20 cycles of chemotherapy and a major colon resection (I now have a stoma), I'm still fighting. Given my diagnosis it's almost a miracle I'm still here now.

Anyway, cancer aside, I just wanted to reach out to you guys on here. Initially I was happy to just fade away and no longer post here - other things become priority. However, given the good times I've had here since 2010 and the good people I've connected with, I just wanted to let people know of my situation.

This forum was a key part of my mid-20s and early 30s. So many good times!

Hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year.

Andrew (greygoose).

Sorry to hear the bad news. Stay strong and have faith in God my brother.

 

[greygoose]

Shocking news Andrew. And if I'm shocked I can't imagine what it's been like for you to go through it.

What can one say, I'm just really sorry that this has happened to you. There's a lot of good people on this site and you've always been one of them, a standout name and contributor to the discussions and the fun around here with cool sigs and avatars. I seem to recall you helping people out with those. Well, in any case I hope to continue seeing you around for as long as possible. These new HT Predators aren't going to critique their own inaccuracies, we need everyone on deck, wristblades out.

All the best to you Andrew,

Andrew (My name too!)

I appreciate the kind words bud.

I've shared some great times with you and others on here. This place once consumed my life back in its peak days.

And don't worry, I'm still here - for how long who knows... That can apply to anyone though, you just don't know when your time is up.

I'm happy I've reached out to you all though. Nice to reconnect with friends and hopefully enjoy posting again.

As you said, all hands on deck.

 

[The Entity]

Hi all.

For those that know me, you may have noticed my lack of activity of the past few months.

Unfortunately, at the start of 2024, I received the devastating news that I have terminal stage 4 bowel cancer (age 36). It's been an awful year, however after 20 cycles of chemotherapy and a major colon resection (I now have a stoma), I'm still fighting. Given my diagnosis it's almost a miracle I'm still here now.

Anyway, cancer aside, I just wanted to reach out to you guys on here. Initially I was happy to just fade away and no longer post here - other things become priority. However, given the good times I've had here since 2010 and the good people I've connected with, I just wanted to let people know of my situation.

This forum was a key part of my mid-20s and early 30s. So many good times!

Hope you all have a good Christmas and New Year.

Andrew (greygoose).

******* dude... This news chills me to the bone.

I honestly don't have words for this. I hope that you'll be with us for as long as possible and hope you'll be able to do so as comfortable as possible.

This really sucks, man.

 

[greygoose]

******* dude... This news chills me to the bone.

I honestly don't have words for this. I hope that you'll be with us for as long as possible and hope you'll be able to do so as comfortable as possible.

This really sucks, man.

Hi mate.

Yeah, it sucks doesn't it. Unfortunately, life is cruel and unfair. A horrible life lesson that my family and I have to accept.

Glad you saw the post though dude, you're another one who I have always had good interactions with.

I'm still here though, functioning the best I can.

-gg

 

[Mr.E]

@greygoose first off, I'm sorry to hear about what you're going thru. Truly. As easy as it is to say, and as truly difficult as it is to actually do, try and enjoy every single moment. Life feels too long, and then it's far too short. And this is coming from someone who has been on a steadily downward spiral for some time. Spend your time with those who you care about and those who care about you.

Although I don't have a "family" of my own, my dogs are my brothers, my companions, my kids and my only friends. One of them, Mack, was diagnosed with incurable cancer earlier this year and he's been on chemo ever since. Knowing full-well there's no cure and the chemo treatments are only a temporary ease of symptoms (and are no longer effective; his cancer is no longer in remission), I still give him a pat and tell him I love him every time I leave home. I can't help myself.

The thing is, I would take that terminal cancer from him, from anyone, in a heartbeat. I know what it feels like to live for nothing. This hobby has provided a distraction for me, at the very least during some personally very dark times. I hope it provides some relief to you as well.

Take care, man. Tell those who you care about, who matter to you, how you feel. You never know what tomorrow will bring. None of us do.

-e

 

[greygoose]

@greygoose first off, I'm sorry to hear about what you're going thru. Truly. As easy as it is to say, and as truly difficult as it is to actually do, try and enjoy every single moment. Life feels too long, and then it's far too short. And this is coming from someone who has been on a steadily downward spiral for some time. Spend your time with those who you care about and those who care about you.

Although I don't have a "family" of my own, my dogs are my brothers, my companions, my kids and my only friends. One of them, Mack, was diagnosed with incurable cancer earlier this year and he's been on chemo ever since. Knowing full-well there's no cure and the chemo treatments are only a temporary ease of symptoms (and are no longer effective; his cancer is no longer in remission), I still give him a pat and tell him I love him every time I leave home. I can't help myself.

The thing is, I would take that terminal cancer from him, from anyone, in a heartbeat. I know what it feels like to live for nothing. This hobby has provided a distraction for me, at the very least during some personally very dark times. I hope it provides some relief to you as well.

Take care, man. Tell those who you care about, who matter to you, how you feel. You never know what tomorrow will bring. None of us do.

-e

Hi bud. Thanks for reaching out.

Firstly, sorry to hear about your cancer experience. Whether it's you or a loved one (in whatever form they are), it's such a horrible experience.

From my cancer experience, it's not just a case of you get a diagnosis and then you're simply waiting for the inevitable. The treatment (of which isn't a cure, just fighting for time), together with the mental stress completely destroys the patient and those around them between diagnosis and death - even when trying to remain as positive as possible, it changes everyone forever; from the moment you hear the words "you have cancer".

Before my diagnosis I didn't appreciate my health. Like most people, you spend your days thinking you're invincible, that life will play out exactly as you planned and that death is something you don't need to think about for another 40 or so years.

 

[Mr.E]

We're the same age, and I think about it every day.

 

[greygoose]

We're the same age, and I think about it every day.

After Christmas the next short term target is my Birthday in March, I'll be 38. How it is now, short term goals, planning life up to 3 months in advance between scans.

 

[Mr.E]

Every moment. Easier said than done, but every moment.