Thoughts on the start of 2011

A feather I saw on one of the first walks I've had since the beginning of December.

The start of 2011 has so far been rough. I have had to face surgical menopause at the age of 33 and a long recovery from a complete hysterectomy. Sometimes I find myself asking why - why does God see fit on asking so much of me. Well he continues to ask much of me and my family.

This week I was diagnosed with Stage 3 thyroid cancer (there is a possibility that it may be lymphoma but right now everything is pointing towards thyroid cancer). I have a large 7cm tumor and it has spread to some lymph nodes in my neck. The week has been full of CT's, blood tests and needle biopsies. This week I will have a PET scan to make sure the cancer isn't anywhere else then on 11 Feb I will head in for the six hour surgery to get it all out of my neck. A few weeks after that I will have a course of radioactive iodine then hopefully I will be healthy.

I have been joking that I will have lost my favorite excuse to blame things on - the hormones - no ovaries and no thyroid  - I am going to have to be creative with excuses from now on ;-)

Andy has been my rock through all this. He has been by my side the whole way and I couldn't ask for a stronger more understanding husband. Eoin is still a little unsettled by Mommy being ill but he is trying his best. We are truly blessed with Miss Ashley who is taking such great care of Eoin.

Please keep me, my family and our doctors in your prayers and thoughts over the coming weeks as we all go through this journey together. I hope to keep blogging throughout the next few weeks so keep visiting for updates and to see the fun things we all get up to.