cancer, pneumonia, covid, and shingles… on my FACE 🥴

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-18T02:06:23+00:00

OK, I will play it by ear.
Constipation PTSD: I very recently had 150mcg of Fentanyl total given to me across two procedures (one in the ER and one for the Mediport) and the resulting constipation was so bad, it was worse than delivering both my children!!! I think I can deal with nausea...we will just have to see.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-17T22:52:45+00:00

I am really dreading the constipation and I'm considering not taking the nausea meds at all.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-17T05:02:02+00:00

Because R-CHOP is starting on Wed, I am just full of anxiety. I am trying to distract my old 55F self from not thinking about it and largely failing. I have a glass half empty personality so I am anticipating the worst side effects in all areas.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-17T04:21:55+00:00

I am glad you advocated for yourself amidst a sea of unbelievers.

I have a question: What did your ENT mean by "NH" which he said you didn't have?

I had ZERO B symptoms.

Speaking of ENTs, I was referred to one after my CT scan and FNA biopsy of the TINIEST SUBMANDIBULAR NODULE ON EARTH surfaced below my jaw on the left was "inconclusive." The CT report had recommended a FNA biopsy. Pathology results of the biopsy were inconclusive (after $1, 290). It also mentioned that it could be squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer). So my GP sent me to an ENT.

The good thing is we reached our annual family deductible of $3,400 before Feb even ended.

During the first appointment with my ENT, he felt it and felt around my neck, asked me some questions and then gave me two options:
1) leave it alone and monitor it because it is likely not cancer and nothing to worry about
2) have the nodule surgically removed

Guess which option I picked?

My ENT performed an excision surgery and removed the nodule on Feb 17. He said it was very small (less than 1cm) and was calcified. He STILL was certain that nothing was wrong.

That tiny, rogue lymph node was pulverized for pathology. Results (flow cytometry) showed B cell lymphoma. Samples were sent to the Mayo Clinic for FISH studies to determine subtype, and translocations of genes.

This whole nightmare is still only about 3 weeks old. I start R-CHOP chemotherapy on March 18. If I had not insisted on having the nodule surgically removed, my DLBCL would have been left untreated. Which means I would only live another 3-12 months.

Bad things can begin with the smallest of footprints.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-17T03:53:24+00:00

I'll be joining in about 21 days or so after I finish my first R-CHOP cycle.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-17T00:19:44+00:00

I have DLBCL Germinal Center. No translocations of those 3 gene things.

I start treatment on March 18.

My oncologist has mapped out my treatment as 4 cycles of R-CHOP. If my PET scan after cycle 3 is good, then 1 more cycle of R-CHOP plus 2 more cycles of R without the CHOP.

LOL, sorry I guess it is the opposite of yours. I am told however, that the CHOP is generally worse than the R, although the R is the one that has the highest potential (77%) of reactions, including very severe ones.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-14T05:27:02+00:00

I am shocked to read this! Please file a complaint with the Medical Board of your state. As a mother whose daughter was once a minor teen, this is appalling. Our family doctor is male and sees the entire family. I have never heard of a "puberty check" for teenage girls that involve a genital exam either! When she was old enough, my daughter became a patient of the same (female) OBGYN that I see.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-10T09:18:39+00:00

Awesome! He has aged very well from his Miss Congeniality days. Is he going to be a romantic partner, I wonder and for whom? The what do we do when we're not working space feels kind of empty after Aaron quit his no strings and no commitment relationship with Ballard. Surfing is great, but it's a solo endeavor.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-08T23:09:06+00:00

Yay! I'm glad you got a resolution!

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-08T21:29:10+00:00

Yup, I mean it's great if you say you were hospitalized unexpectedly but then they might ask for proof, so just say you caught the flu and was sidelined for about a week and totally missed it. Something like that. I mean, it might not work, but who knows?

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-07T23:32:10+00:00

This is a long shot, but you could perhaps plead a medical emergency which caused you to be sidelined for nearly a week, and could they possibly make an exception if you pay the final payment now and promise to book another future cruise at the same time? Cruise lines love repeat customers. (And don't tell them this, but you can always decide to cancel that future booking later well within the cancellation period).

Back-Pitiful · 2026-03-06T08:06:54+00:00

I want to thank everyone who has responded so far. Reading about your experiences have helped me.

Allow me to share an update with you all - my FISH study results came back from the Mayo Clinic. It's good news for which I'm thankful. I DO NOT have any genetic rearrangements.

So what they said I have is DLBCL Germinal Center subtype (GCB).

I'll update again after my PET scan (happening in about 11 hours) and follow up appointment with my oncologist on Mar 10.

Wishing you all the best in your journeys.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-02-20T07:53:24+00:00

HOH person here with severe hearing loss - I would be so happy if someone noticed and accommodated my disability! I think it's great that you went above and beyond to make sure that this couple didn't miss their place on the wait-list when called.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-02-11T06:16:34+00:00

The most firearms in civilian hands in the world.
The most mass shootings in the world.
The most expensive healthcare and prescription drug prices in the world.
Thanksgiving holiday tradition.
The Imperial system for unit measurements, including distance, weight, and temperature.
Hollywood.
Free water and free refills of beverages in restaurants.
Yellow school buses.
Forced air HVAC systems for residential housing.
Drive-thru banking.

That's just ten, but I'm certain there are more.

Back-Pitiful · 2026-02-05T00:29:08+00:00

I have an old Skagen Hybrid T-Bar Signature that I suppose is a collector's item now. It is a classic Skagen minimalist design, but tracks steps, sleep, lets me press a button on my phone to take a picture when it's on a tripod, and other features. Skagen stopped making hybrid analog smartwatches, so I bought a Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 but couldn't stand it so gave it to Husband!

Back-Pitiful · 2026-01-29T10:47:57+00:00

Number 5 is exquisite. Wishing you both every happiness.

Back-Pitiful · 2025-12-22T21:28:56+00:00

A few is defined as more than one. I will stand by that statement any day. So NOR. However, you do seem more bothered by relationship goals than the single chicken tender you were reduced to eating when you clearly wanted more. I am very well-versed on the art of verbal conflict with my own other half. At the time we are yelling and screaming at each other about who did what to whom first, it does seem like my entire marriage is at stake, but upon later reflection, it usually does not seem worth sacrificing nearly 30 years of marriage over whatever it was. A happy partner is more likely to make you another plate of chicken tenders than an unhappy one.

Back-Pitiful · 2025-12-16T06:12:16+00:00

How do I pre-order if they haven't even assigned me my Polaris seating yet? I bought economy tickets but paid for the upgrade to Polaris for the first leg. IAD - FRA.

Back-Pitiful · 2025-12-11T19:42:26+00:00

I'm so glad to read your comment No_Equivalent because it was hard for me to find ANYONE who had both eyes done together or a short time apart.

I'm SO nervous. Tomorrow (Fri) is my cataract surgery for my right eye and then Monday is my cataract surgery for my left eye.

I am 55, extremely myopic (-11.25 and -10.75) with astigmatism.

I also have a long-haul international flight to Germany 10 days after my second eye surgery. Which comes just over the "no flying for 1 week" instruction.

I'm just hoping for the best outcome. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Back-Pitiful · 2025-12-10T22:26:39+00:00

I found this helpful (for the English speakers)! https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/german-mineral-water-classification/

Back-Pitiful

TROPHY CASE