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2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (Hosted by Yours Truly)

My Progress:


30 / 30 books. 100% done!

2024 Literary Escapes Challenge

- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (11)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (3)
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International:
- Argentina (1)
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- England (25)
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My Progress:


51 / 51 states. 100% done!

2024 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

My Progress:


52 / 50 books. 104% done!

2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge


36 / 50 books. 72% done!

Booklist Queen's 2024 Reading Challenge

My Progress:


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

2024 52 Club Reading Challenge

My Progress:


50 / 52 books. 96% done!

2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge

My Progress:


37 / 40 books. 93% done!

2024 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge


18 / 40 books. 45% done!

2024 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge

My Progress:


25 / 25 cozies. 100% done!

2024 Medical Examiner's Mystery Reading Challenge

2024 Mystery Marathon Reading Challenge

My Progress


2 / 26.2 miles (4th lap). 8% done!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

My Progress


43 / 100 books. 43% done!

2024 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge

My Progress:


98 / 109 books. 90% done!

Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge

My Progress


52 / 52 books. 100% done!

Disney Animated Movies Reading Challenge

My Progress


137 / 165 books. 83% done!

The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge

My Progress:


85 / 100 names. 85% done!

The Life Skills Reading Challenge

My Progress:


30 / 80 skills. 38% done!
Saturday, February 27, 2010

A Fuzzy-Headed Update

Sitting at the computer makes me dizzy, but I wanted to give you all a quick update on all the *fun* that's been going on around here:

I went in for surgery on Tuesday. My surgeon found cancer as expected - it was in both sides of my thyroid as well as in some of my lymph nodes. Apparently, the tumor was wrapped around my vocal chords (the biggest risk with this type of surgery), so everyone was relieved when I managed to croak out the word "sore" in response to a nurse asking me how I felt. I spent the night in the hospital reading, resting, gulping Vicodin and crunching Tums. By noon on Wednesday I was recuperating in my own bed. Since then, I've been resting, reading, getting waited on hand and foot, and feeling better each day. I'm still having trouble swallowing/eating - in fact, it feels as if someone's got their hands around my throat and refuses to let go; I still feel lightheaded; and I'm still fighting fatigue, but I feel so much better today than I have all week. I'm not sure when I'll be back-to-normal - for now, I'm just grateful to be alive, able to talk, and able to be up and around a little bit.

I've mentioned that thyroid cancer is slow-moving and rarely fatal. Thus, my prognosis is excellent. I have to undergo an iodine/radiation procedure in a few weeks that will determine if there is any cancer left in my body. After that, it should be a matter of balancing my meds so that I can feel well again.

Even though thyroid cancer is generally seen as "the best cancer to get," it's still been an emotional and traumatic experience for me and my family. I've been blessed beyond measure with a loving family, supportive friends and a ward (my church family) that's always willing to help. My "cyber friends" are also a great blessing to me - I appreciate all of the prayers you've sent up in my behalf. I've definitely felt them this week. Thanks for all your kind words, your support and your patience.

Now, on to the most important part of this post - I've read 3 1/2 books during my recovery. Whether I will review them all or not, I don't know. Vicodin has made my head really fuzzy, so I'm not sure I can recall the books let alone judge them fairly. We'll see how I feel. Anyway, I'll post again as soon as I feel up to it. I've missed hanging out with you all in the big, beautiful book blogosphere!

16 comments:

  1. Glad to hear your surgery went well and that you have a great support network to help you as you recover. I hope you have a speedy recovery and the news after the radiation procedure is good.

    Hope the brain fuzzies go away soon, too, so you can enjoy *and* remember your reading! :)

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  2. It sounds like everything is going smoothly and your prognosis is excellent. But that doesn't diminish the trauma that this has put you and your family though. I'll keep you in my prayers, Susan.

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  3. I'm so happy you are doing well! Let everyone continue to wait on you, and get better soon! I miss your reviews!:) More prayers headed your way!

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  4. So glad you are recovering! I think ANY kind of cancer is a huge shock and scary. Best of luck in feeling better soon!

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  5. Susan, I'm so glad to hear that you are on the other side of this surgery. I'm sorry that it was cancer, but what a blessing that you have dealt with this now. My brother had this a couple of years ago. I know it is a shock when they say that cancer was found, but you can get through all of it. I'm so pleased that you have so much support.

    Know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take good care of yourself. I hope all goes well with the upcoming tests. Enjoy your time to read. Big hugs to you!!

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  6. I haven't been on the computer much the last couple of weeks so this is the first time I'm hearing about this. I'm so sorry to hear about the trial you're going through but also so glad to hear that the surgery went well and the prognosis is good. I wish you the best and pray for a full recovery soon.

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  7. Cancer is always scary! Our Bishop's wife just had the same surgery a couple of weeks ago. It took her a few days, but she is feeling really great now!
    Hope you are feeling better really soon.
    Thanks for updating us.

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  8. I really hope you're feeling better soon! Even though it's one of the 'better' cancers I'm sure it's still very difficult to deal with, and the surgery sounded very tough. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!!!

    Tabitha.

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  9. We are going to have to start calling you Wonder Woman now. (: Love you

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  10. i am so glad to hear you are doing well. i hope you are able to get back to normal soon and that this cancer has been completely taken care of.

    how did you find out? i can't imagine all the emotion involved. our prayers are with you!!

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  11. Susan- Im so glad to hear the sugery went well and you are on your way to feeling better. Hopefully you will be out of the vicodin cloud soon (it isnt much fun is it?!) and you are feeling your best.
    :::hugs:::

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  12. I don't care what "type" of cancer someone gets - it all stinks. Glad to hear that you are recouperating well and using your time wisely (i.e. reading)! :)

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  13. Wow, hang in there! Sounds like everything is going to be fine and you will be feeling normal again pretty soon. I can't believe you read as much as you did while recovering and feeling dizzy. Pretty amazing. Keep up the good spirits!

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  14. I'm so glad that you had a talented team of physicians and that you are on the other side of the surgery!! We were thinking of you and missing your virtual presence!

    Remember the first part of cancer is CAN!!! You can ...find peace, find calm, find comfort, and fight this with the help of great medicine and doctors - - and the Lord!! You and your family have my prayers, my thoughts and - - a virtual casserole!!!

    Please let me know if there is anything I can do. I'm serious - we are only a little ways apart - say, do you need someone to make a trip to the bookstore for you, the library, come one....you wouldn't even have to break my arm to make me go. Seriously though, whatever you need; I'm right here.

    Get better soon or get used to a sexy radio-type voice!

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  15. I'm so happy you are ok and that your prognosis is good. Anytime that damn "c" word is spoken it's scary no matter what the "experts" say. Sending good thoughts your way.

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  16. Sorry it took me forever to reply to this post. I've had it open in a tab for a week and a half . . . I hope you're doing fabulously now.

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Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.

P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!

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2024 Reading Challenge

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