Inactive and being recycled–Yahoo account is preventing me from Flickr

Can anyone troubleshoot/interpret Flickr for me? I have had a free account for years and years but since having the computer cleaned out I can't get back in! It is saying that my Yahoo account has been inactive and is being recycled. I have never used/needed my Yahoo account, I did not even need one when I signed up for Flickr 8 years ago. I just want to get back on for the o+S photo pool. If I create a new account I'm going to lose all your lovely comments on my photos... (btw feel free to tell me I'm being silly and suck it up.)