Hi Alex and a warm welcome to our community, 

Thank you for coming here and sharing your throat cancer story and I wanted you to know you are not alone and we have had many members post on the forum who have also been through a throat cancer diagnosis and treatment. We have this gigantic throat cancer thread for example  started 7 years ago but which is 198 pages long! Feel free to drop a line there and I am sure some of its active members like the lovely RadioactiveRaz will stop by and say hello. They will have been through the same surgeries as you and it's nice sometimes to talk to someone else who really understands but they will know sometimes better than friends or relatives what you are going through, how it can be hard to feel cheerful every day and that it is normal to have down days. 

Here on Cancer Chat you can be free to be who you are and thank you for telling us that you are gay and never came out. I can imagine it's not always been easy for you but I am glad you have your loved ones by your side, your lovely children, best friends and grandchildren. It must be hard not to be able to be yourself in front of your parents and I can't believe you were told your cancer was a punishment - this is such an inaccurate and insensitive thing to say and don't pay any attention to these comments and carry on being your wonderful self!

Feel free to come on the forum and offload anytime you want. I am glad coming here and sharing your story has helped you feel better. This is a space anonymous space where you can truly be yourself and you will always be welcome with open arms. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator