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.
Happy Birthday!
I'maving trouble writing this for a good reason. Rose is on my chest. and now off my chest and as soon as I move the laptop off my lap she;ll be there. I'd say she's defintily my kitty now.
