One day, many years ago, I flat out told my mother that if she ever suspected/found out she was seriously ill, I would want to know immediately or I would be extremely pissed. She then told me that my timing was eerie, because she'd just found a lump and was going to have it biopsied.

She had been planning not to tell me, giving the usual "didn't want you to worry" excuse. I pointed out that I would know that something was up, because I can always tell if she is worried about something, and that my having to imagine or wonder what was up was a million times worse than knowing the truth.

Erin, I'm sorry that you're having to deal with all of this.

Aww, Erin. Those cysts should not have got the greenlight for a sequel!

Bah! Humbug!

It's such a hard thing to deal with that each person has to find his own way. Telling someone you love about it is horribly difficult.

Oh, hell yes to this. I needed to pull inward to deal with my cancer diagnosis/surgery - after surgery I was more able to deal with the rest of the world as it pertained to me - during chemo and radiation and such, but not before. I could post on LJ, but my four closest friends? I couldn't call them until a couple days before surgery. My mother kept the rest of my family up to date. It was weird and hard and I love and appreciate my peeps for being OK with my dealing how I needed to deal.

And on that topic - Erin, I had to have a hysterectomy + ovaries out at 38. I'd be happy to share anything that you'd find useful. I don't do HRT, though - it's contraindicated because of the uterine cancer.

I feel a little odd about posting a self-centered, glee-filled post given that other people are having a very bad day, but I only have a little over an hour left to bask in my fortieth birthday.

What with being hellishly busy the past couple of months, and with things falling this close to the holidays, I really didn't get around to planning a big bash or a lot of fuss. That can come later in the year. Anyhow, today I spent mostly with my mom, and having the kind of relaxed, stress-free day that was the best kind of celebration I could have envisioned. I treated myself to much-needed a day off from work.

My big gift was a splurge at Lush. I picked out several bath bombs, and upon hearing that it was my birthday, the store manager added one more bath bomb to the stash as a freebie. Then, a long, leisurely lunch at an excellent Italian restaurant, an afternoon spent cooking (bolognese sauce) and lounging by the fire with knitting, and then dinner with my mom and stepdad. I was able to touch base via phone with my dad a few times and make plans to meet up for dinner next weekend.

And now, I am home and relaxing with my cat, my knitting, and a generous whiskey and soda.

That sounds like a fabulous birthday-day, Anne! Sweet of the Lush manager to do that.

Sounds like a great birthday, Anne.

Sounds perfect, Anne.

and every ounce of joy is a blessing.

It really was a lovely day. Not a big, huge blow-out, but a full day of low-key pampering and relaxation and time spent with family.

Sounds nigh on perfect, Anne.

Your 40th sure beats mine, Anne. I had a great breakfast but never went on that hike, just played an awful lot of Lego Star Wars... maybe too much as The Imperial March keeps getting stuck in my head.