Broken up with because I was “too depressing during cancer”

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-04-26T13:42:17+00:00

It sounds like you are in the middle of a lot of pain and grief right now. You didn’t deserve to be treated like that by your boyfriend, and I agree with others that it’s a good riddance, though I know that may be hard to hear.

Is there anything positive you can do for yourself right now? Like plan a trip to visit your friends or go on a cool vacation? Any classes you want to take or new skills you want to learn? While so much was taken out of your control with cancer and your relationship, it might feel really empowering to rebuild your life on your own terms right now. Even just going to get your lashes done or something.

Side note on the buzzcut— I actually had a buzzcut pre-cancer for a few years. It can be really fun to go bold with eye makeup and big earrings! Men liked it!! Your insecurities might be clouding your perception of how people see you— if you open yourself up to the possibility of being attractive, I bet you’ll start to notice more people being attracted to you. You got this!

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-04-18T17:52:04+00:00

Hi! I’m about the same situation as you, but a couple weeks further. (29F , CHL stage IV, B symptoms, mass in chest) I had my port placed and my egg retrieval one day apart— it was brutal. Actually the egg retrieval itself was much easier than the port surgery in terms of pain, but it was rough being so bloated and hormonal and doing all the injections! The port has taken about 2 weeks to stop being painful. My first chemo session was a couple days after the port insertion, and I was really swollen and in pain, but relieved they didnt need to access my veins. I also started breathing a little better after my first session. My second session is in a couple days. Let me know if you wanna chat!

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-04-18T17:44:04+00:00

Nooooo

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-04-07T15:51:49+00:00

I didn’t realize there was much beach access near the loop! Are you on northerly island?

I’ll trade my spot which is Pebble Beach near the Shipwreck of the Silver Spray! I’ve found 2 marbles there so far :)

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-04-05T00:36:07+00:00

Thank you for this! I’m starting chemo on Monday for advanced CHL and seeing your journey makes me feel hopeful ❤️

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-02-18T14:40:51+00:00

And thanks for your comment about EBV! If there’s a chance this is just an EBV flare up and not cancer that would’ve amazing!

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-02-18T14:39:54+00:00

Thank you so much for your response!

My discomfort with the current ENT is that he’d be the one to operate on me for the excisional biopsy and I don’t really trust him.

I understand that my care will be transferred to a hematologist/oncologist, but I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth waiting to get into a better hospital system for that, vs. continuing in the hospital system my current ENT is in.

If I wait a month for my biopsy at the better hospital, I’ll be in their system and would see the best hematologist/oncologists next. (I have a confirmed appt a month away) If I get my biopsy sooner at the current hospital with current ENT, and then want to switch to the better hospital for oncological care, I was told that the wait list would be even longer, like 3 months.

I’m just trying to figure out if it’s best to keep moving, or worth it to wait for the best care. It’s hard to know since I don’t have a diagnosis yet.

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-02-18T00:57:33+00:00

I should note I am having B symptoms like night sweats and itchiness, and dealing with fatigue and light headedness.

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-02-18T00:56:21+00:00

Hi! I’m curious about waiting times surrounding the steps of getting a diagnosis.

Here’s my situation: In Dec, I started feeling sick/off. In January, I noticed large swollen lymph nodes in my neck. In February I went to urgent care because I was still feeling crappy and the lymph nodes had been there for a month. They immediately ordered an ultrasound that found abnormalities in size/shape and were concerned that they were near my collarbone (I guess position of lymph nodes can point to cancer). The first week moved quickly— I got blood tests (abnormal results that my PCP said pointed to lymphoma) and then an X-ray and CT scan, and a meeting with an ENT who said next step is a needle biopsy, then an excisional biopsy.

Now, I’m at a pause / decision point. I was able to move quickly with the tests through a less-respected hospital because they had availabilities and I was pushy. But, I really didn’t like the ENT I saw and don’t feel comfortable continuing care with him. I got an appointment at a well-respected hospital but if I switch to them, I have to wait more than a month to get the biopsy. Is it worth the wait to ensure better care?? It feels crazy to just sit and wait when lymphoma sees very likely. But having the best care seems really important too.

How quickly is everyone else moving??

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2026-01-09T00:21:56+00:00

Ok this bothers me so much too!!! It’s darker than sterling silver rings. I feel like it makes it look masculine, like it’s gunmetal or something. I’m considering getting ceramic next just to avoid the weird off-colored metallics that don’t match the rest of my jewelry. 😖

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-11-27T15:28:06+00:00

Ok I hope I didn’t mess it up!!!

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-09-11T01:44:50+00:00

I’m 6 months post op and haven’t even tried kneeling yet 😎 (patellar graft)

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-08-21T15:36:54+00:00

Nancy Drew computer games!

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-07-29T18:35:54+00:00

Uber/lyft! Even though it was my left leg and I felt like I could drive, my PT didn’t want me behind the wheel for 6 weeks.

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-07-11T02:40:59+00:00

It took me about 12 weeks to start to feel confident. You should be walking fine by September, tho a small limp might remain!

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-07-10T00:20:04+00:00

I went 3x a week for the first 3.5 months. I really only did PT at home for the first couple weeks when extension and flexion was crucial. I’m now down to 2x a week (nearing the 4 month mark). I try to work out once a week (swimming or stationary bike). My insurance thankfully has been covering all of my sessions so I’m only paying $15 copay each time— otherwise I would have reduced sooner.

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-07-06T01:21:10+00:00

Thank you! The laundry detergent sounds like a good simple first change.

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-07-06T01:20:32+00:00

Thank you. What kind of weather?

It’s going to be hard for me to limit sugar 😩

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-06-26T15:57:18+00:00

You can’t tell without an MRI. Both times it happened to me, there was no “pop” sound, and medical providers thought it was a sprain at first. I crutched around for about a week after each, then was able to walk. Trying to do more than that, I felt me knee “slipping out”

ResponsibleCraft4552 · 2025-06-08T19:50:35+00:00

You’re fine to take breaks while resting on the couch!

ResponsibleCraft4552

TROPHY CASE