Free! Free! Thank God in Heaven I'm [Cancer] Free!

I was diagnosed with endometrial cancer the end of October 2011.  On December 6, 2011 I had a hysterectomy.  The doctor said my tumor was small, and she was so sure they got it all that they didn't take out my lymph glands in the groin area.  On December 9, 2011, the pathology results came in:  the cancer hadn't spread, they got it all, and I wouldn't need chemo or radiation.  I was officially cancer free.  When I got the news, I burst into tears.
I breezed through the surgery like a pro, and recovered so quickly that they sent me home the next morning--just 24 hours after surgery.  My doctor, the anesthetist, and the nurses all expressed astonishment at my quick recovery.  My doc said my positive attitude had a lot to do with it.  (I was cracking jokes even as they wheeled me into surgery.) 

I only experienced mild discomfort during the two weeks that followed, and didn't even use up all my pain pills.  It's now 3 weeks post-surgery, and I feel just fine.  Better than fine, in fact.  While I wouldn't recommend cancer for anyone, I feel I'm a better person for having lived through the shock and fear of discovering I had cancer.  It made me take stock of my life, made me realize that I too often focused on Things That Don't Matter.  It also taught me that I had far more friends than I ever realized.  Friends who came out of the woodwork in droves and surrounded me with love, support, and prayers. 

I am deeply, deeply blessed.  And I am ever so grateful that I am cancer free.

Update From the Boonies

Wow, has it really been a month since my last entry?  Sheesh.  No biggie, I reckon, as I'm probably the only one who actually reads my blog.  Sort of like talking to myself.  *g*

Lots if new developments in my life since my last post, the most important being my recent diagnosis of endometrial cancer.  I go in for a hysterectomy on December 6, and after that they'll be able to tell me what stage of cancer I have.  It's a scary thing to be facing the Big C and not know how bad it is, or if I'll have to have chemo or radiation afterwards.  I hate having to wait.  But all my friends have rallied around me for a group hug, and I am feeling especially blessed by all the support I've been receiving.  This is definitely a group disease.  It doesn't just affect me.  It affects my friends and family.  It's nice to know that I don't have to make this walk alone.  No matter what my future holds, I know my friends will be beside me, helping me walk that walk.

The Endless Remodel Job is still ongoing.  The carpenter only works a few hours a week now, much to my frustration.  The worst part is that I am constantly cold because of the heat escaping through flimsy plastic over doors and windows.  As I sit at the computer, a frigid draft makes my face and hands very cold.  Not fun.  He assures me the laundry room will be done by the end of this month, but I don't know how that can happen when he only works a few hours a week.  It's been 7 months since this project began, and we haven't even started on the kitchen, yet!  The picture below shows what the laundry room currently looks like.  Doesn't look like it will be done in 2 weeks, eh?  *g*

The doors have now been installed, and the electrical wiring is almost done, but as you can see, the job is nowhere near completion.And of course, it's not yet insulated, so that's why the rest of the house is so cold.