Monday, January 03, 2011

On to Plan B


How'd y'all like being buried alive in book reviews here at Casa Kittling this past week? Probably a lot like watching way too many bowl games in a row, I would imagine. What's good about it is that I'm now caught up with all the books I read last year, and I'm even going to do something a bit different this year: talk a bit about my 2010 reading statistics in the next day or so.

I've been carrying on quite an interior monologue with myself for almost a week now. Should I tell you? If I do, how much should I tell you? I decided to start typing and see what happened.

I've told you a bit about the health problems I've been having the past two months, and your caring and support have meant so much to me.

It was hoped that everything would be taken care of with out-patient surgery that was performed two days before Christmas. It wasn't. I have been diagnosed with cancer, and now it's down to the doctors to delete some parts and see if they can kick out my unwelcome house guest.

In many ways I think my loved ones were more shocked and upset than I. For the most part-- unless I have to verbally tell someone what's going on-- I've been so calm that it's a wonder someone doesn't check to see if I have a pulse. (Just for the record, don't ever ask me to tell anyone bad news, unless you want everyone to dissolve in puddles of tears!)

Why am I so calm? Since the age of eight, I've pretty much been as healthy as the proverbial horse, but whenever I have had to deal with doctors, I never seem to get good news. However, each time everything's turned out right, and my brain must be wired to think this situation is no different. (I don't mind this at all.)

Another reason is that I don't think it's really soaked into my puny brain. I may not really believe what's going on until I wake up from surgery, the anesthesia wears off, and I experience a pain or two.

No matter the reason, I'm glad I am calm, and I hope to remain that way. I also expect to be a survivor because I've been a survivor my entire life. Besides, I have the world's best support team of online and offline friends, and the creme de la creme-- Denis. Words will never be able to express how much I love this man of mine.

In the mean time, I'm working on getting this blog back to normal, and I will keep you all posted, either on here or Facebook or Twitter on The Case of the Unwelcome House Guest.

32 comments:

  1. Wish I had a magic solution for you Cathy but all I can do is send positive thoughts your way. And your positive attitude certainly can't hurt.

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  2. Sending happy thoughts your way.

    I will only give one piece of advise, since e very case and every person is different. Let people help you!

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  3. I will be thinking of you, Cathy, and am glad you're remaining calm and positive. Fingers and toes crossed that it's an easy battle and you come out victorious.

    Meghan @ Medieval Bookworm

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  4. Cathy - I'll be sending lots of positivity your way. Stay strong and I'm so glad you have that survivor attitude; I admire it. You've got a lot of people in your corner, including me.

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  5. Cathy, you have such a good attitude. I can't help but think that it will serve you well as you deal with whatever the doctors have in mind for you. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Hang in there my friend. Big, big hugs!

    There will still be good things and a good life after all this is put behind you. I'm living proof that it can happen. :-)

    I do wish that I lived close and could bring you a Poisoned Pen filled gift basket though!! And a little chocolate! LOL

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  6. I'm sure you're going to survive this too - you're strong that way. Keep your chin up - a positive attitude is half the battle. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

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  7. I love your attitude, Cathy, and will keep you in my prayers.

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  8. Oh my goodness,Cathy - I have been so busy with my own piddly life that I have totally missed these past two months of yours. I am SO sorry that you must deal with this house guest - but your attitude is inspirational and I know it is key to your full recovery.

    Thoughts and prayers are with you and Denis for these next few days, weeks, and months.

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  9. Wow you really are calm. That's a great attitude to take towards it all. I think I'd be a nervous wreck. Keeping up with your blog should be good for keeping your spirits up.

    My thoughts are with you and I hope the unwelcome guest is evicted.

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  10. I am sending as many good wishes your way as possible! All the good thoughts you and your family are thinking are sure to prove helpful. You and your family are in my prayers. :)

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  11. Hi Cathy,

    So sorry to hear about your 'unwelcome guest'.

    Try to keep your positsive outlook and I am sure you will prevail.

    I will be thinking of you often and send you all Best Wishes.

    Yvonne
    x

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  12. My husband had a somewhat similar reaction (depending on what type of cancer of course) when he was diagnosed. It was about five minutes (okay, more like a year) after we moved to Arizona and he got diagnosed with Stage II Melanoma. But he has always been healthy as a horse too, and handled it much better than everyone else around him! I think healthy people have such an edge too, when they get treatment. Your great attitude too is bound to make a difference. And your wonderful support team! I wish you every luck, and if it turns out you can get to Tucson for the Festival, we'll drink a toast of whatever you can drink!

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  13. I also have that attitude towards doctors and illness - someone has to! :)

    Please keep us updated and meanwhile lots of positive vibes are going your way from Brussels.

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  14. And I ALSO EXPECT YOU TO BE A SURVIVOR, CATHY!

    I think a patient´s attitude is very important when it comes to cancer so your calmness and your wish to fight it are extremely important!

    All my best wishes for you and your family, my friend!

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  15. Cathy, so sorry to hear you are having to deal with all this! But it sounds like you have a fantastic attitude - so inspiring. Thanks for being so open!

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  16. Dear Cathy, Thanks for telling us. You already know we're all on your side and of course Denis is the best person you could possibly have at your side. I love your attitude; I think you'll get through this with sense of humor and good health intact. Unlike your last house guest, this one has GOT TO GO and good riddance. I'm with you, Kid.

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  17. I'm glad you have used your blog to project your positive attitude. That is both admirable, and helpful to your health I am sure. Less stress, better tools for the body to work. Cancer has touched our lives very closely in recent years and each circumstance is different. Sending helpful thoughts your way. Use your blog to help you through this - your blogger friends will rally in any way you want.

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  18. Not knowing all the details, I just want to say as someone who was diagnosed with uterine cancer at the end of September and had surgery at the end of October, your attitude is very important and having a doctor that you have full confidence in is key. I blogged about my experience with local gyn and the Moffitt Cancer. support was overwhelming and made me feel so good going into surgery. I just knew I would be a survivor and am positive about the coming years. Hubby was diagnosed with cancer 9 days after I was. His surgery was 2 weeks ago feeling better every day. Go into this knowing, not just hoping, but knowing you will be ok. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I just know you will be allright.
    {{ big hugs}}

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  19. Cathy: Sending many healing thoughts and wishes for strength and determination your way.

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  20. I'm visualizing you as a survivor and it's a perfect fit! I know you have the necessary grit, strong constitution and inner strength to kick your uninvited guest.

    If you ever want to chat, bellyache or swap deletion stories, Cathy, I am only an email away.

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  21. You sound sure and positive and that is what counts...my thoughts and prayers are with you...

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  22. All my good vibes, thoughts, and wishes are headed your way. You are young (yes, we're still young!), strong, and otherwise healthy -- with support and good care, you have every reason to be optimistic.

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  23. Bernadette-- Thanks! Denis and I have been sillier than usual, and I can imagine the neighbors hearing our laughter. I've always believed laughter is one of the best medicines the world has ever known.

    Caitieflum-- Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! That is a very important piece of advice, but I'm so very lucky to begin with: Denis is one loving and dedicated Helping Machine!

    Meghan-- Thank you so much.

    Margot-- And I appreciate every single one of you more than I could ever say!

    Kay-- I do love the sound of that Poisoned Pen gift basket! LOL

    Kathy-- Thank you.

    Mary-- Very much appreciated!

    Anastasia-- Thanks!

    Molly-- Thank you so much. And ya know... your "piddly" life is every bit as important as mine!

    Callista-- I'm looking forward to The Eviction, and as we were coming home from a doctor's appointment yesterday, Denis said, "I don't know how you're staying so calm!" (My mother was known to describe me as "mule-headed"!)

    Leah-- Thank you so much.

    Yvonne-- Thank you!

    Jill-- That definitely sounds like a plan!

    Alexandra-- Thank you!

    Dorte-- I'm looking forward to many many years of reading and sharing my thoughts on crime fiction with you.

    Ruth-- You're welcome. Sometimes I think it helps to let people know what's going on behind the scenes of a blog.

    Barbara-- I knew I could count on you!

    Molly-- I'm beginning to understand the power of blogger friends. It's wonderful....

    Kaye-- Thank you so much for your candor and those hugs!

    SuziQ-- Thank you!

    Susan-- I may just take you up on that!

    Patty-- Thank you!

    Beth-- Thanks. And of course we're still young! LOL

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  24. All good thoughts are being sent your way.

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  25. Cathy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and Denis. Your positive and calm outlook is inspiring. Hugs.

    Jennifer

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  26. So sorry to hear about your unwelcome house guest. I'm sure that's all it is too...an unwelcome guest, and with Dr's help you will indeed get rid of it and be a survivor! Hugs to you and Denis. I'm thinking lots of positive thoughts and I hope it will all work out. Please do keep us informed.

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  27. Jennifer-- Thanks so much for those hugs!

    Kris-- I will keep you all informed. I'm just waiting for my first appointment with the oncologist.

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  28. I'm late in reading this - but I will definitely be keeping you in my prayers. Hang in there!

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  29. I'm late reading this too, partly because I went away for several days in early January and am still catching up.

    I'm so glad you told us Cathy. I often worry that blog friends will not tell us, will not explain why, perhaps, their blogging style or frequency changes, leaving us to guess and worry that something is not quite right. I'm sure it was hard to tell us - somehow putting something very personal in writing is hard, particularly to go out into "the ether", but you did it just well.

    Fingers and toes crossed. You will be a survivor - I just hope the survival is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

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  30. Carrie-- Thanks so much. Each hug, prayer, good thought and vibe is worth its weight in gold!

    Sue-- Thank you!

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