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Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:26 pm
by Menolly
I already shared this in The Galley, but I guess further energy will only help, nu? :)

Mi Sheberach, Healing Prayers, Positive Thoughts, White Light, and Well Wishes requested.

Piyah Frimah bas Chavah Ester, for those who will.

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays to cook for, along with Passover. I love dry brining my turkey; roasting it a la Alton Brown; and having planned over meat and the carcass for soup, stock, and various dishes built upon cooked poultry.

However, I was just diagnosed with the strong possibility of thyroid cancer (60% - 80%), and my surgeon had scheduled me to have my thyroid removed this past Monday. So, not knowing what recovery and/or further treatment would involve, we scratched any plans for me to cook this year.

This is the first year my son is away at college, though. After discussing this with my doctor, she was persuaded to postpone my surgery until this coming Monday, after Thanksgiving, on November 28th. This way my son can come home, spend his break with us, and I’ll be admitted the day after he returns so we can spend all of his break together.

hyperception and I decided we will make reservations to go to the Best Western Gateway Grand here in Gator Town's Thanksgiving buffet. Their menu looks awesome and the price is reasonable. I will miss having my planned overs and stock, but I have already purchased a small frozen turkey for me to prepare once I have recuperated.

So, tomorrow I foresee me watching the Macy’s parade; going to the buffet midafternoon; hanging with the homies while looking through the sale flyers and planning my Black Friday strategy should I choose to go out; and just overall taking it easy.

After all, most importantly, this holiday is about family and gratitude. With an upcoming battle for my health approaching, I will indulge in and be thankful for as much nearby family togetherness as I can.

So far, it appears any cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes, as they were too small to biopsy. But they were borderline size and will be looked at further. If all goes well and labs come back as expected, I am being told I will only be admitted overnight, and probably sent home Tuesday. ShandsUF supposedly has free wifi, so the laptop is definitely coming with me. I plan to be on as much as anesthesia and recuperation will allow me to be.

Your positive energy directed my way in the coming days will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 4:57 pm
by Savor Dam
I, too, posted in the Galley. Not going to go to the same lengths here, but...

Many Watchers know we are pretty close friends. You told me about this diagnosis over a month ago...and keeping it out of my public postings has not been easy. Thank you for finally coming out about it. More importantly, I (as well as Dam-sel and Dam-et) are so grateful that you got this identified early and have decided to move forward with getting it addressed. Some problems do not go away when hidden from; this is surely one of those.

Dam-sel had thyroid cancer way back in the early '80s. B"H, she has been cancer-free since...and the treatment approaches have only improved in the intervening years. You Can Do This. We are here for you with any advice, support, or reinforcement you want or need.

Meanwhile, yes of course we will be sending prayers, well wishes and abundant positive thoughts...now, next Monday, and ongoing.

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 6:26 pm
by wayfriend
Menolly wrote:Mi Sheberach, Healing Prayers, Positive Thoughts, White Light, and Well Wishes requested.
Put me down for all that, and more, Menolly. Be strong. Stay positive. Count those blessings.

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 7:41 pm
by lucimay
wayfriend wrote:
Menolly wrote:Mi Sheberach, Healing Prayers, Positive Thoughts, White Light, and Well Wishes requested.
Put me down for all that, and more, Menolly. Be strong. Stay positive. Count those blessings.
me too.

am sending all the good mojo i can muster your way. will be thinking of you on monday. what time is your surgery? i'll get up early and light up one of jenn's good mojo candles. they always seem to work!!

/hugs

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:24 pm
by aliantha
I'll be thinking of you on Monday, too, Menolly. Everything's gonna be fine. |G

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:12 pm
by Menolly
Thanks all!
lucimay wrote:what time is your surgery? i'll get up early and light up one of jenn's good mojo candles. they always seem to work!!

/hugs
heh.

If it goes as planned, you'll probably be better off staying up Sunday night, Luci. For now, my surgeon said she has me scheduled first thing in the morning. Whether that means 8:00 or 9:00 am eastern, I have no idea.

However, standard procedure at ShandsUF is for the patient to call the night before surgery after 7:00 pm to "officially" be given their admission time and confirm they'll be there. And then there is always the possibility that I'll be bumped for an emergency which needs the operating room more than I do.

But I'll be happy to have as many of those good mojo candles lit for me as possible! Thanks.

Posted: Wed Nov 23, 2011 11:54 pm
by Ananda
here's some positive thinking from sweden. hope it goes just great!

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 4:05 am
by danlo
same here! Very positive.... (boycott Black Friday, take care of yourself instead!)

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 4:37 am
by Savor Dam
danlo wrote:boycott Black Friday, take care of yourself instead!
Not to worry. I strongly suspect her 2011 Black Friday strategy is analogous to that of the catch-and-release angler.

Of course, she may post below and tell you what I am full of. It's happened before and will no doubt happen again... :P

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 6:47 am
by Avatar
Good luck to you Menolly. Stay positive. Will be thinking of you.

--A

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:35 am
by Linna Heartbooger
Menolly wrote:Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays to cook for, along with Passover. I love dry brining my turkey; roasting it a la Alton Brown; and having planned over meat and the carcass for soup, stock, and various dishes built upon cooked poultry.

However, I was just diagnosed with the strong possibility of thyroid cancer (60% - 80%), and my surgeon had scheduled me to have my thyroid removed this past Monday. So, not knowing what recovery and/or further treatment would involve, we scratched any plans for me to cook this year.
|G Bless you, Menolly!

Also... I can't imagine a person loving to cook that much, but you somehow managed to paint a believable picture. :biggrin: And it shows a real giving up of something you love this Thanksgiving; just this year's temporary concession that goes towards that larger cause of taking care of yourself. (I also second the comment of "good for you for dealing with this" even though avoiding would seem so much preferable!)

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 12:25 pm
by StevieG
Sending positive thoughts your way Menolly. Thinking of you at this time.

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 1:45 pm
by Menolly
Thanks all.

I will admit it feels weird to not be scurrying about the kitchen already this morning.

Macy's parade shortly, though!

Macy's 2011 Thanksgiving Day Parade Live Stream

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 7:30 pm
by Cleburne
Menolly dont have a Mojo candle , but i will light a candle for you on Monday ,best of luck with the procedure . cle

Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 9:07 pm
by Sorus
Don't have any mojo candles either, but count me in for the positive thoughts and well wishes.

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:22 am
by Ananda
Anyone hear how Sgt Null made out with his stuff? Haven't seen his pleasant postings in some days now. I miss him.

And, just finished more of a really annoying job. Stayed up till over 3.00 to finish it. Hope the client is happy in the morning!

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:29 am
by Avatar
Hmm, haven't seen him for a while, you're right.

And in other news, since I see he didn't post it here, Cail came through a bad crash this past Sunday, out of hospital now, but with a broken knee and wrist, so I'll wish him a speedy recovery here too.

--A

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 6:09 am
by aliantha
I'll second the best wishes to Cail for a speedy recovery. (Owie. :( )

And yeah, I'd love to hear from Sarge too....

Thanksgiving was supposed to be low-key at our house. Batty and Shara_Lunison are here so it's a titch crowded. Then their dad and his wife said they would stop by for dessert. Then it became clear -- after I'd served the dessert but before our turkey was done -- that they were planning to stay for the dinner as well. 8O We had plenty of food, so that wasn't a problem. Just kind of, y'know, a surprise. 8O

But as they say, that which does not kill us makes us stronger.... 8O

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 8:51 am
by lucimay
Avatar wrote:Hmm, haven't seen him for a while, you're right.

And in other news, since I see he didn't post it here, Cail came through a bad crash this past Sunday, out of hospital now, but with a broken knee and wrist, so I'll wish him a speedy recovery here too.

--A
oh shit. :(

more good mojo candle lighting.

Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2011 2:27 pm
by Menolly
Yeah, Cail posted picks on his Facebook.
Not pretty. :(