Interesting Times

I’m not good at remembering anniversaries. For proof, please ask anyone I’ve ever dated. But a few do stick with me. For instance, the Friday after I turned 13 (I’d had my birthday on Sunday) I got my first puppy. I’ve always remembered that.

Here’s a new one. The Friday after I turned 35 (I’d had my birthday on Sunday) I learned I had cancer.

Isn’t there that saying about the “ancient Chinese curse: ‘may you live in interesting times'”? Well, it’s interesting times at the moment.

What’s going on?

It appears that I have thyroid cancer, which is extremely treatable and has an astronomical cure rate. However, things I don’t know include the involvement of my lymph nodes, the treatment plan, and, to be honest, whether I am going to want to have a big ugly-cry at some point in a given day. But over the next week or so I’ll be meeting with excellent doctors to learn more, and I hope that will help all of the above.

How did I find out?

I felt a bump on my neck in the beginning of February. After antibiotics and a CT scan and an ultrasound and biopsies, I’m here.

Let this be your PSA: Get anything odd checked out. Be informed and don’t ignore anything. Do not take anybody’s word over your instinct. (Be a pain in the neck. Ha ha.)

What do I need? 

This seems to be a popular question and for that I am more appreciative than I can ever properly say.

I am stubborn and independent and impatient and a nutty control freak Type A perfectionist. But I’m smart enough to know that won’t always work in these interesting times.

If you’re curious, here’s what I need right now. I know I’ll need more in the future, and I will ask then. Promise.

1. If this situation upsets you, I understand, but I need you to go talk to someone else about that. I’m optimistic by nature, and what I know so far gives me every reason to be even more optimistic. I feel perfectly fine and intend to stay that way.
2. If you are upset because I didn’t tell you in person, I understand, but I need you not to take it personally.
3. If you have questions, I understand, but I need you to go do what I did for the answers.
4. If any this strikes you as rude, I understand, but as I’ve been told, I need to not care about that right now.
5. If you happen to be a person that sends up prayers or good vibes or whatever you like to call them, I’d love some.

And by the way, no, this isn’t going to become a cancer blog. It hasn’t been a relationship blog, it hasn’t been a work blog, it hasn’t been a money blog, and it’s not going to be a cancer blog. It’s just going to be mine. Like always.