Well Hello, There!

Greetings, dear readers! It's been a whirlwind journey through the first half of 2023, and boy, do I have some incredible stories to share with you. Buckle up as we dive into the rollercoaster of events that have shaped this year (so far) into a symphony of unexpected twists, heartwarming moments, and a whole lot of resilience!

January 2023 🎊

Remember that feeling of stepping into a new year, brimming with possibilities? Well, mine was an absolute whirlwind. If you've been keeping up (and you better have been!), you know about my health odyssey battling an autoimmune disorder, spondyloarthropathy. But hold on tight, because that was just the beginning.

Imagine this: I ventured into the realm of second opinions and met a Rheumatologist who unearthed a thyroid nodule that had been playing hide-and-seek since 2018. Like, seriously? 🤷‍♀️ Turns out, this nodule had been patiently waiting for its moment to shine. Long story short, I had my "aha" moment about the significance of regular check-ups. My reaction? Facepalm 🤦‍♀️ meets shock! I had to do a Fine Needle Biopsy (FNA) of the thyroid nodule which came back as suspicious for cancer.

February 2023 ❣️

Just when you thought the plot couldn't thicken further, welcome to the sequel of surprises! In February, I went to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for a second opinion that turned my world upside down. Biopsy slides in hand, they waved their diagnostic magic wand, and bam! "Malignant neoplasm cells" waved back at me, officially dubbing my thyroid nodule as "Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma." Can you say plot twist?

Amid this medical whirlwind, my daughter joined the Girl Scouts' cookie extravaganza! 🍪 Top seller, right here! Plus, a long overdue family reunion in Atlantic City for my Aunt's 70th Birthday which had me as a passenger princess for miles, suffering the consequences, yet basking in the joyous reunion vibes. Worth it? Absolutely! 😅

March 2023 ☘️

March wasn't all sunshine and rainbows—more like a parade of doctor visits, physical therapy sessions, and chiropractor magic. You wouldn't believe the money these healthcare wizards have magically extracted from my pockets! But guess what? Genetic testing was done and came back all clear! 🧬 No lurking cancer surprises. Phew! 😮‍💨

April 2023 🌼

As April blossomed, so did hope. A birthday celebration radiating love and laughter marked my entrance into the next chapter. 💕 Mid-April was all about the ultimate showdown: my Total Thyroidectomy. An emotional roller coaster, with my brother's reassuring hand-hold before the anesthesia plunge and me emerging victorious, minus the thyroid baggage. Recovery? Soreness, feeling as if I was shouting-at-the-top-of-my-lungs days (we've all been there), and clean margins! 🥳 Oh, and not one, but two tumors were revealed—shoutout to my "remove-the-whole-thyroid" decision. Thank you, Jesus! 🙌

May 2023 🌻

Birthdays, birthdays, and more birthdays! Cake, joy, and celebrating life became the anthem of May. 🎂🥳 We started the month celebrating my niece's second birthday, followed by my daughter's sixth birthday, and ended the month with my sister's birthday and a Memorial Day BBQ! 🇺🇸🍗 But amidst the festivities, I was facing a silent battle against post-surgery synthroid-induced weight gain. It was bad enough that I had insulin resistance due to PCOS so I spoke with my doctor who prescribed medications to combat the unwanted baggage which gave me a 9-pound victory ⬇️ — cue the confetti! 🎉

Fun Fact: My sister and I are 11 months apart. We are the same age for a month and a half! 👯‍♀️

June 2023 ☀️😎

In June, the spotlight turned to crucial post-op follow-ups. Ultrasound scans and blood work painted a picture of normalcy. As the dust settled, I bid adieu to my 11-12 hour workdays, embracing a new chapter of health and family focus. Speaking of family, my son's adorable pigeon-toed walk unveiled a story of its own. 👣 I took him to a pediatric podiatrist who examined him and determined he was a proud winner of a foot boot to straighten out his gait.

And oh, we have our first graduate! My daughter graduated from Kindergarten! Proud mama alert! 🌟

But that's not all for June. Hold your breath for yet another surgery – this time it was a showdown against a 6 cm fibroid and deep pelvic endometriosis.

July 2023 🇺🇸🎆

After braving the surgical storm, I made it my mission to mend not just my body, but my mind and soul too. I redirected my focus onto bible studies. 📖

My family and I enjoyed our 4th of July with a BBQ and ended our night with a literal bang! Our entire neighborhood lit up with fireworks so we were front row and centered to watch the firework spectacular. 🎆

Mid-July marked a grand celebration, a moment to shine the spotlight on the real superhero of the year – my amazing husband! 🎉 Let's give it up for the man who's been the unshakable rock, holding us together through thick and thin. We took him out for dinner and showered him with lots of hugs and love for his birthday. ❤️

Half of 2023 Unwrapped

Congratulations, you're all caught up and have now made it to the finale! 🥳 A journey through the storm and into the light. A tapestry woven with courage, surprise diagnoses, triumphant recoveries, and a love-soaked family. How has your 2023 been?

Remember, every twist in life's plot adds a new dimension to your story. Until next time, stay resilient and keep embracing the chapters life throws your way! 💪🌟