The Pinback Files

[pinback]

Went to the JAMES, BITCH. That doctor wants to load me up with a combination of different drugs! My local doctor also wants to do that in theory, but recent trials have shown that it doesn't help, so she does not. I will get more scans at the JAMES, BITCH, just to make sure everyone has the latest, best information, and then we're gonna have a...

DOCTOR FIGHT!

[Da King]

When the doctors (inevitably) offer two completely different opinions / treatment plans, how will you decide which to follow?

Anything short of a Deathmatch between the two is not an acceptable answer.

[pinback]

I will likely choose the one that doesn't require an hour and a half trip both ways for office visits.

[Tdarcos]

I will pay $1,000 to the charity of Pinback's choice if he agrees to let Tdarcos write his official obituary.

Did anyone consider asking me if I'm interested in doing this?

The obit must contain at least three puns, two quotes from books he himself has written, and at least one quoted lyric that Pinback would not have liked. Maybe even a drawing instead of an official photo.

Well, I've got the first quote:
“Remember the saying, ‘The only things you have to do are pay taxes and die?’ Let’s see, well, I’m already dead, so that’s over. I don’t have any money... so I don’t have any taxes to pay. Stick a fork in me, I’m done.”
- Paul Robinson, "Instrument of God"

And I think I have a song lyric he won't like:
"When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best...
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best."
- Dr. Norman Greenbaum, Spirit in the Sky

I've got $100 more if Commander lets CO teach him how to use ChatGPT to write said obituary.

I already know how to use ChatGPT and I could not use the advanced features, because I can't afford the $2 a month tier¹, let alone $20.

- - -
¹ Yes, yes, I know there isn't a $2 tier, but you know what I mean.

[Da King]

I already know how to use ChatGPT and I could not use the advanced features, because I can't afford the $2 a month tier¹, let alone $20.

It on me, as long as it is CO who gets to preach its virtues to you.

[Casual Observer]

I already know how to use ChatGPT and I could not use the advanced features, because I can't afford the $2 a month tier¹, let alone $20.

It on me, as long as it is CO who gets to preach its virtues to you.

Try to keep up man, GPT is better if you don't pay for it, pretty sure I said that a couple of weeks ago. In other news Google's Gemini now includes real time Google search for free so probably no need for folks like you all to ever pay for it.

[pinback]

I'd been having some pretty serious back pain the last several weeks, felt like a deep muscle-pull on my left side. It was not improving.

I was to go to Myrtle Beach last Thursday with Mina for a mini-vacation. After calling the doctor the day before (Wednesday), they wanted me to come in, instead. So I cancelled the trip.

They brought me in, took a look at me, and said, yeah, that's the cancer. So, how much oxy are you on? 5mg? We'll double it.

So we're in that phase, now, where things that get worse do not get better. Part of my Myrtle Beach trip was to be one last round of golf with my mom, since we're both probably on the way out soon (me cuz of cancer, her cuz of old). But it seems that that round of golf, along with any other rounds of golf, is off the table.

I can still walk fine. Getting up and sitting down is a relatively strained, painful process. Okay, fine. A little back pain, a good excuse to take oxys, I can deal with it. I didn't golf that much anyway.

I then started having this strange feeling of pressure in my head, which was sporadic at first, and then fairly constant. Told my doctor about that, they said let's get you an emergency head MRI. Which I did last night, at 10 PM. (Did you know they did head MRIs at 10 PM? I didn't!)

Now we're just waiting for the results. It's not painful. It may be nothing, but it's not going away.

I am getting the sense these days that that however things are today, that's the best they're gonna get.

[Flack]

This sucks. If you want to borrow my golf kart, you can. It needs batteries though. Is putt-putt still in play? Can we all play putt-putt together?

[pinback]

Aw yeah. I'm gonna stick it right in the clown's mouth.

(Paul, you're up.)

[Flack]

Won't Knuckles be surprised!

[Jizaboz]

Fuck Myrtle Beach. (lol)

PB man I'm honestly really sorry to hear this. I'm not a praying man or much of a hope man either, but I do sincerely hope something starts to turn this around at least somewhat, because you sure as shit don't deserve what you are going through.

[pinback]

Thank you. I will tell you this, though:

Other than a few brief forays into depths of hell that I would not wish on my worst enemy, or even the President of the United States, I am the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. Even this morning, going through the Kroger, I look around, and it is clear, I am the happiest guy in the store.

DJ Larry suggests that some sort of rationalization must be necessary not to be miserable in the middle of this.

There is no rationalization. No mental trickery. No[t too many] drugs. Only boundless joy.

I wish I could show you.

[Da King]

I think I get it. You've made peace with it. You've seen the future, you accept it, and you can live without fear.

I dont know if I'll die in my sleep tonight or live 50 more years. How do I plan for that? There are so many different scenarios and approaches. Its stressful.

I am not saying that I envy your position, or that I want to know now when my time will come. But I think I grasp your ability to "be happy". Its an inspiration.

[Tdarcos]

Aw yeah. I'm gonna stick it right in the clown's mouth.

(Paul, you're up.)

Whatever 'It' is, 'it' had better not be any part of your genitalia or 'the clown' had better be Kathy, or you'll be in a lot of trouble. You won't have to worry about dying of cancer, as she'd probably kill you first!

Hey, you invited my participation.

[AArdvark]

Obviously you're not a golfer

[Tdarcos]

Obviously you're not a golfer

Naaah, I'd feel like I was "a one-legged man at an ass kicking contest." Oh wait, I am a one-legged man at an ass kicking contest!

[Tdarcos]

As I understand that unfortunately there us no expected potential for remission, there are some things you need to do or take care of sooner rather than later,

First, make a will or update yours; having a will makes things easier and means less need for expen$ive probate lawyers. Now, maybe you just want to give Kathy everything, in which case, just say so. Maybe there are things you want others to have. Whom do you want to handle your estate as executor or executrix? Whether it's Kathy or you don't think she can handle it then you can say that too. To save money by not requyiring they post a bond, it is important you have the following in the will: "To the maximum extent permitted by law, the executor shall not be required to post any surety or bond." I suggest you create a video recording confirming your wishes, so there's no misunderstanding.

You might want to have a summary of assets (and liabilities). Any bank or credit union accounts, brokerage accounts, or other funds. IRA, Roth IRA, 401K or (rare but possible) pension. Safe combination and/or key if you own one (I did back in Maryland). Safe deposit box if appropriate; if she's not authorized to retrieve the box then you need to add her so she doesn't have to wait for a court order to do so.

Make a list of all credit cards, technically those issued personally to a specific individual must be paid off when the person dies, if there are any assets left. Whether anyone tells any of your credit card companies or they just keep using and paying any cards issued to you personally after you die is something you two have to decide. If there is available credit on a card, and she might not qualify to keep it, then if they are not told you died they won't know and won't close the account. While your estate is supposed to pay off your accounts when you die, unless the account is a joint account, she is not personally liable for any balances remaining on your cards.

Do you have any life insurance? Who is the beneficiary? The policy is a contract; the money from it goes to the named beneficiary, not to whomever your will says is to get your possessions. If you don't want the current beneficiary to get the money and want it to go to someone else, you need to change it.

I think I also need to look at the 800 pound gorilla issue and elephant in the room.

Euthanasia.

Unless you plan to hang on until the bitter end, notwithstanding any suffering you have to do, then you need to decide when you will say life is no longer worth living. You also should have a "living will" in which you give someone else authority to make decisions on your medical care in case you can't. You may or may not want them to try to extend your lifespan through "heroic" medical treatment.

Presuming it is Kathy, you should give her a power of attorney in case you become incapacitated, and she has to handle some financial or other matter on your behalf while you're still alive.

Whatever happens, my friend, good luck to you.

Paul

[pinback]

As I understand that unfortunately there us no expected potential for remission, there are some things you need to do or take care of sooner rather than later,

This is good, because my next question was going to be "Hey Paul, why haven't you given me a whole page of unsolicited advice on how to run the remaining days of my life yet?"

Jackass.

What a jackass.

[AArdvark]

Perhaps he didn't think that you'd know to do all that stuff.

Maybe this is his way of expressing sympathy, or a simulacrum of it

[Casual Observer]

As I understand that unfortunately there us no expected potential for remission, there are some things you need to do or take care of sooner rather than later,

This is good, because my next question was going to be "Hey Paul, why haven't you given me a whole page of unsolicited advice on how to run the remaining days of my life yet?"

Jackass.

What a jackass.

Have you considered having your head frozen until such time as we can fix you up with a replacement body?

Personally I'll be relieved when I'm a diamond, jesus christ how much of this life do I have to have.