Tough Call ~ But I am stepping back!

Stepping Back.

When I came here, I seriously believe that this site prepared me, and pulled me through the toughest time of my life, and it still is pulling.  I continue to benefit from the caring and loving support of so many members.  As a member, things are great here.  As a Moderator they haven't always worked out quite as well.  In light of the fact that so many of you are my friends, and that so many of you I have experience to help with, I have requested to be simply a member.  As long as I carry the Forum Moderator tag I am finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the support that I need as a man with advanced prostate cancer.  There are many times as Moderator that I have felt anguish and discontent directed at me, and many times I tried to let it go.  But it's time for me to move on now.  I've had to hang in the balance my dedication to be fair to all here against my friendships in the membership.  As a member, I don't have to do that.  Quite frankly, it brings a tear to my eyes, that I somehow have brought this on myself.  Please don't hold any members in any way responsible for my decision.  It is my own and I have felt this way for some time. 

I have a request though.

The Moderators here have a very difficult job to do.  I highly believe that unless you've tried it, you don't understand what they feel.  They are members just like you and me.  They can't do this job to everyones satisfaction.  That's not even possible.  If I ever made a statement that violated a rule, it should be brought to my attention, and if I didn't fix it, the Mods should excercise the rules.  The best tool a moderator has is your email addresses.  It provides an opportunity to take the discussion offline and present the possibility for reconsideration from the poster.  In any case, I have listed the rules link below.  If you haven't already, please read them, and don't be upset when a moderator simply has to apply them.  The Mods are people, and they may try to overlook them from time to time.  There are allowable exceptions.  And there is human error.  It's always a tough call, and it affects the moderator many times personally.  So along with your feelings, please consider what they feel, too.

Forum Rules

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=46&m=106997

A Very Big Thank You.

You are my friends and I really may need you in the future.  I hope I can just be a member with you all again.

Tony

Dear Tony,

I am sorry that you will no longer be a moderator, but I can't say that I blame you.  Since I joined this site in the second half of 2006, this place has grown more volatile and aggressive.  I attribute much of that to more guys with aggressive disease and more side effects from their treatment.  It is natural that less happy outcomes would cause more sharp reactions to other sharp posts.  I also have other opinions as to cause, but they are not relevant to here.

Keep Your Mach Up and please, please don't leave us.  Your value as only (only?) a member is considerable.

Regards,

Bill

Tony my Brother

You were, you are, and will be a member here as long as you so choose.  Being a moderator is not an easy task in any forum.  Being a moderator when you are also affected by the subject matter makes it more difficult.  I think no less of you today than I ever did.  I cherrish your friendship and respect your decisions. 

Hold you head high.

God Bless

Richard

Tony:

Good decision - you are more valuable to this forum as a member.  Your positive attitude and caring manner can now shine through.  Take care.

Dutch

What can we say?... But how sincerely grateful we are for your service!

You have always been, and will continue to be, a great inspiration to me and to the rest of us foryour courage and your forever positive attitude.

Thank you for all that you have done and for being there for all of us, without fail.

Take good care of yourself and know of our love and care for you, my friend.

In whatever capacity, we'll all be here for each other.

Kind regards,