photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
photo by Kevin Truong
Calvin, in his own words:“Would love to be a part of this project. Why you may ask? I’m gay and about to be 54 years old and feel I haven’t accomplish much in life but now want to change that.
All my life I have been a victim of spiritual abuse. I say this because I was raised in a religious home but never felt like I was totally accepted. I knew something was different. I felt this at a very young age, and then I found out I was adopted. Nothing wrong with that. I had an amazing adopted mother who had no idea her son was being abused from a very young age and all that confused me. So much now later, in my years I have dealt with depression, shame, anxiety–all because I feel I’m doomed because I choose to be gay. I’m even in a relationship. It’s been 19 years and I love him very much, but my demons of hell haunts me everyday. But I hope there is truly a light at the end of the tunnel, as I’ve heard it said today.
I have been advocating for anal cancer, I was diagnosed a month after we lost Farrah Fawcett to the same cancer and I was blessed to survive this cancer, this rare cancer that many still don’t want to talk about–but I can’t do that. I have to advocate. I so much want to draw more awareness, it’s definitely needed and I do have some support. Now I made my own facebook page titled, Anal Cancer Is a Pain in the Butt Literally. It has 93 followers and I’m so excited about that. This is something I have to do, we must educate people that this cancer is very real and it’s even on the rise. Plus I know this wasn’t a curse from god, nor did I get it from being an “assf*cker” as one so called supporter told me because I used a ribbon for a profile pic that she felt was hers alone. It’s so much more than a ribbon to me. I would love to be featured here and at the same time get more word out about anal cancer.”
Calvin, thank you for sharing your story with all of us. You are a beacon of hope and remind us that no matter how far we may descend into the depths of hell we all possess the strength simultaneously to transcend that moment and truly become the person whom we are meant to be. I am an oncology social worker and work for CancerCare. For further information pertaining to the services and support CancerCare offers please do not be reticent in reaching out to 1 800 813-4673 or log on to http://www.cancercare.org
Beautiful story from a very beautiful soul out there. I think that anal cancer in the Gay Community is unknown to most ‘straight doctors’ Doctors and hospitals need to be educated. There are few doctors trained to do the special procedure that requires a microscopic scope . It is not the same as a colonoscopy which many primary Care doctors may not understand. You would be amazed at the lack of knowledge out there. It is therefore I suggest that Gay men and Women get their care at large health centers that cater and understand us better and where we can feel more at home.