MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491
Posts: 4,491
Posted:
I know this is an unusual post, but as a long-time regular member of this site, I felt is was important to share with everyone some personal things that have been going on with me.
One of the reasons is because I have been MIA for a while. Which happens, I realize. But there are also times when I engage in posting spurts then disappear.
I didn't want either regular posters who are not aware of my situation or new posters who don't know me well to think that I am purposely engaging in bad forum etiquette known as "hit and run" posting.
On January 2 of this year I found a lump in my breast. Within a week I was formally diagnosed with breast cancer.
Immediate tests indicated that the cancer was a somewhat "manageable" Stage II, Grade 3 tumor less than 3 centimeters. It was removed, along with some lymph nodes and I began chemotherapy.
Since then, additional scans indicate that the cancer has metastasized to other organs so my cancer has been restaged to Stage IV.
My chemo regime was revised to account for it.
As a result, I have some good days, and some bad days. My personal goal at this stage is to have more good days than bad ones.
I am still on my board or directors, but I have stepped down as president this year. My board and my fellow HOA members have all been wonderful and, surprisingly, many people are now stepping up to the plate to volunteer in areas where no one has volunteered for many years. Is there a connection? I don't know. Correlation is not causation, but I'm going to take it as a positive sign!
I have also downsized a variety of activities in my life, and one of those activities includes online posting.
I will come on from time to time, as it is very enjoyable to read the posts here and engage in the discussions.
But please don't think I have abandoned a thread if I disappear for a while mid-discussion, even though it's likely I won't go all the way back to find it. I will likely just read through, review and respond to the threads on the front page.
I have to thank some of the regular posters on this site, friends with whom I have been in contact through email, for all their support and well wishes.
I still anticipate being around for a very long time, so don't expect me to disappear permanently anytime soon!
One of the reasons is because I have been MIA for a while. Which happens, I realize. But there are also times when I engage in posting spurts then disappear.
I didn't want either regular posters who are not aware of my situation or new posters who don't know me well to think that I am purposely engaging in bad forum etiquette known as "hit and run" posting.
On January 2 of this year I found a lump in my breast. Within a week I was formally diagnosed with breast cancer.
Immediate tests indicated that the cancer was a somewhat "manageable" Stage II, Grade 3 tumor less than 3 centimeters. It was removed, along with some lymph nodes and I began chemotherapy.
Since then, additional scans indicate that the cancer has metastasized to other organs so my cancer has been restaged to Stage IV.
My chemo regime was revised to account for it.
As a result, I have some good days, and some bad days. My personal goal at this stage is to have more good days than bad ones.
I am still on my board or directors, but I have stepped down as president this year. My board and my fellow HOA members have all been wonderful and, surprisingly, many people are now stepping up to the plate to volunteer in areas where no one has volunteered for many years. Is there a connection? I don't know. Correlation is not causation, but I'm going to take it as a positive sign!
I have also downsized a variety of activities in my life, and one of those activities includes online posting.
I will come on from time to time, as it is very enjoyable to read the posts here and engage in the discussions.
But please don't think I have abandoned a thread if I disappear for a while mid-discussion, even though it's likely I won't go all the way back to find it. I will likely just read through, review and respond to the threads on the front page.
I have to thank some of the regular posters on this site, friends with whom I have been in contact through email, for all their support and well wishes.
I still anticipate being around for a very long time, so don't expect me to disappear permanently anytime soon!
