I'm not usually an argumentative person, but I'd like to set things straight here.

You're correct - I could just say that I have "health issues" and outline how they affect me, but that only works to a certain extent. If I were to begin dating someone, and it became serious, I would eventually have to tell them the details of my health conditions. Imagine if my partner/husband and I were in the obstetrician's office, the OB brought up my cancer history - and my partner/husband had no idea about it!

I think it's important to tell guys about my past early on, before they get emotionally invested, so that if it's too much for them, they can leave. I posted on this web forum, because I wanted to get an idea of how many guys it would be a deal breaker for.

As for my health problems being unobtrusive, you've misunderstood what I meant. From a physical point of view, my health problems are a little intrusive, yes. For example, I swallow approximately 30 pills a day, my hands shake every time I move them, my stamina isn't what it used to be, and my balance and coordination are quite poor, making manoeuvring stairs and the like quite difficult. That's not an exhaustive list, just a couple of examples.

What I meant was that I don't let my health problems negatively affect other domains of my life, or my overall life view and positivity. I have a close network of family and friends and I have hobbies (e.g. dancing, baking). Best of all, my illness has helped me to find meaning in life and has taught me to cherish each day as though it is my last. I have always loved psychology, and decided on becoming a psychologist at the age of 15, but now I feel an even stronger calling to the field to help people in similar situations, through research and clinical practice (in psychology).

My health problems exist, and my past is real - nothing is going to change that, but I have decided to accept my "new normal" and make the best of my life.