[not_a_bot_4sho]

Don't drink. Or if you must, drink less.

Who am I to tell you what to do? No one important. But I did recently discover I have colon cancer, perhaps related to my great fondness for beer. And now I'm awkwardly figuring out my final exit strategy. 0/5 stars not recommended.

Oh, and schedule that colonoscopy you've been putting off. Better to catch it early when more treatment options are on the table.

[irishcoffee]

In my mid 30s (I'm older now) I got breast cancer I drank so much, which was after I got pancreatitis because I'm too fucking stupid to learn my lesson. I am a biological male now one nipple shy of a set.

Oh and a DUI. Sleeping in a running car. I’m a jackass and an idiot.

I'm done drinking. Ideally my feet will be less numb and painful, my shoulder might stop hurting, the outer two fingers on my left hand might become un-numb, might even gain some weight.

My family is a bunch of alcoholics, "functional" if you believe in that sort of thing. I realized if nothing else, I need to break that cycle for my kids.

I'm so sorry to hear about your cancer diagnosis. I was (and am) terrified that I took ~20 years off my life up to this point, and it could be over any year now.

Alcoholism is no joke. I just wrote up a 17k letter to myself (with my spouse as the audience, not sure I'll ever show her, she hates me right now) about how I got to where I am. Reading it back and editing it has had me bawling for hours. I can't believe this thread popped up.

[Schiendelman]

On the numbness - if you want it back, lift weights. Consistently. Like 2/3 of days consistently.

[x______________]

> the outer two fingers on my left hand might become un-numb

Care to share more how this happened?

[not_a_bot_4sho]

> I need to break that cycle for my kids.

Thanks for the kind words. I never considered myself an alcoholic. I drank beer on Fridays and Saturdays. I wouldn't consider it excessive, I didn't get drunk, but I also wouldn't consider it helpful in retrospect.

The kids. I have a 5mo child. And 2 older kids. This is the part I hate. I REALLY HATE. They shouldn't have to pay for my mistakes or my luck but they will. The thought of dying isn't scary. I'm good with it. But I HATE, HATE, HATE, that I'm going to leave my kids early and my poor wife to figure it all out.

I wish you a long and healthy path ahead without any remission. (I assume you're on the good side. I really hope so!) All the best to you!

[polotics]

could an ADHD test be opportune here?

[SapporoChris]

I looked up the risk factors for Colorectal cancer and it is influenced by various lifestyle and genetic factors, including: Diet (high in red and processed meats), Obesity, Smoking, and Lack of physical activity.

I also noted that rates are appear to actually be decreasing. At least according to the National Cancer Institute. https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/colorect.html

[not_a_bot_4sho]

> Diet (high in red and processed meats), Obesity, Smoking, and Lack of physical activity.

These are very much the complete opposite of me. Life is like that.

[Schiendelman]

Yes, people are smoking less.

[HerbManic]

I will second the early testing, it caught my mothers cancer in the early stages. That was 10 years ago and she is going strong in her mid 70's.

As for the final exit strategy, do what works for you and don't worry about others thinking you are being "selfish". You are the final arbiter.

Be well.

[not_a_bot_4sho]

Appreciate it!