Hmmm…y’know, I had this great rant built up about how bad this week has been and the fact that I spent 18 hours yesterday doing something in person that could have been done in an hour on the phone and …well… a bunch of other stuff. Don’t think I’ll post that now. Thanks for helping me keep it in perspective.
oldscratch
Hang in there. There are other jobs (maybe even ones you’ll like better). The cancer is scary, but it sounds like they caught it early and that’s more than half the battle.
Stand tall, I’ll be thinking good thoughts for you.
I’ve had a cruddy week and and really lousy Saturday morning. But all the energy I’ve been spending/wasting on feeling sorry for myself is now headed your way. If good thoughts make a difference, things are going to be looking up.
My sympathies, my dear. But trust that you WILL be ok. Really you will, as everyone says, caught early it’s no big deal.
The twenties can be a lot suckier than we imagine. Your story reminds me of a moment in my twenties: Wednesday the boyfiriend knocks me around a little before he’s gone. Saturday a stranger punches me out and splits my lip. Tuesday I find out I’m pregnant, and Friday after my abortion I find out I’m fired.
Not a great week. But here it is 20+ years later and life rocks.
Wow what a crappy day. On the up side not that this will help much but I once new a guy in the Navy who walked around with a leaking melanoma mark on him for almost a year without a doctor being able to diagnose it. Navy doctors suck. Anyhow, after they finally figured out what it was they treated it and he was fine. So if someone can survie with that level of incompetence you should be all right.
Another thing. You should be able to keep your insurance from work even though you have been laid off at least for a couple of months. Most companies will either extend it free or let you pay for it. Check it out, it’s worth a try.
I’m so sorry to hear that life threw so much at you at once, oldscratch. Your presence and posts here are great, and here’s wishing you a full, fast recovery and a better job.
I, too, had a friend with melanoma. She was so terrified she basically ignored it for months, but even then the surgery wasn’t very painful, and she is cancer-free these 7 years later.
Thanks everyone. Truth be told, hokey or not, your support does mean a bit to me. Especally the support of those who I’ve been arguing with recently. As I’ve said before I’m not really too worried. On a scale of 1-10 of crappy things that have happened in my life this probably rates a 5, throw in getting fired at the same time, and it goes up to 6.4.
They didn’t fire me cause of the cancer. I just got lucky. I had to go to the doctor, and when I got back they laid me off. I didn’t tell the HR guy about the cancer. He probably felt bad enough already. Can you imagine laying someone off and then having them tell you they have cancer. yeesh.
Anyway. Friday night I went out and got a sorta new job. I’ve always wanted to learn how to bartend, (it’s step 6 on my way to my life’s goal), so I went and got a job as a barback. I also do security. It’s for a pretty good club here in SF. And I make, with tips, around 15-25 an hour. Not bad. I also signed up for classes at city college. I’m taking a language, french, some art history and linguistics classes. Since I never went to college, it should be interesting to see how I do back in class.
As for a regular day/full time job. I’m not too worried. This barback thing will support me for a while, and I shouldn’t have any problem getting some kind of contract tech support.
Thanks again for your support. Once it’s all over I’ll let everyone know. I’m going in soon to have them all removed. Because of the melanoma I’m supposed to get adjuvant therapy too.
Harsh buds, comrade! Getting cancer and canned at the same time sucks rocks. Sounds like you got a good grip on what you’re making out of the situation, tho. Best wishes for quick and painless therapy. I got no doubt you’ll be a great bartender and the classes should keep you occupied mentally for a while.
Sorry to hear about your news, but your latest post has a better ring to it. Wouldn’t sweat the job thing (sounds like you’re already on to something new), it’s a pretty thriving economy in the area these days. I’m sure you can beat the cancer, especially since it was caught early on. You can take care of yourself better in the future - a few more o’ them nice dinners should keep you healthy (after the tips start coming in, that is!).
So, you went to City? I took some classes there a while back, nice campus. We used to wait for heavy rains to flood the old parking lot, then drive to the middle of it, and (after a few joints) it looked like a small lake out the car window. Those were the days!
Anyway, take good care, don’t drop your post average!
Wow, Oldscratch, you have a champion’s attitude to take two tough blows standing up. I really admire your guts and perseverance in handling crises so bravely. I’m sending you
positive vibes to help you recover and get healthy.
Last night I went in for surgery. I was actually quite worried yesterday. I did reading on various survivial rates and realized I had around a 75% chance of living more than 5 years. Of course that’s an abstract number and I know that in all likelyhood I’ll survive just fine and all that. Especially now that they’ve removed everything. Still, it was very strange to hear odds on how much longer your life will continue. I’m recuperating right now, I’ve got a laptop though so it’s not so bad. The really fun part is the drugs they’re giving me, dacarbazine and cisplatin. Both injected. fun stuff. Also one of them reacts badly to my bipolar medication so I’m supposed to stay off that. That means that I’m supposed to go back into outpatient treatment again. For some stupid reason they’re afraid I’ll kill myself. Ah well. Anyway I thought I shold let everyone know that the prognosis is good and they think I’ll be just fine. I just need to be more carefull about my skin in the future, and make sure I get regular check ups.
Anyway, if I seem particulary surly or anything for the next few days you have my apologies in advance.
That’s it - I’m not going on vacation any more. See what happens when I’m gone?
oldscratch, my dear, I’ll give you something to look forward to - when I move to SD, I’m coming to SF for a visit, and by Diety you’re giving me a tour of that frickin’ town!
Wow oldscratch, your attitude throughout your troubles is really inspiring. I think I speak for everyone when I hope that your recouperation goes as smoothly as is possible.
Oh, Oldscratch, you have an amazing, strong attitude. Sorry I didn’t see this thread before, glad to hear you are enjoying your meds. Hang in there…you’re doing better than I would.
So the obvious first question is: How can someone with your tastes stand the hospital food?? Or are you getting someone to bring you the good stuff? Anything from Stars or La Folie?
Anyway, I sure hope you recover nicely, and stick around.
