Teigyr

Thanks for the compliment about my avatar. It is a picture of my buddy Penelope. She was one of three kittens my dogs found in my shed last year. They were a week old when I took them in (feared my dogs would kill them and felt mom had abandon them). She is a wild girl with a ton of personality.

The long rides last weekend actually helped to lift my spirits. All I knew at that point, according to my doctor, was they had discovered a large mass in my pelvic region - no more, no less. As is human nature I started playing the "what if" game. In reality the worse part was trying to figure out if I should tell me parents or wait until I had the ultrasound and talked directly to my doctor the following week. I simply did not know how to handle this so after the ride on Sunday I called my oldest sister for some good old fashion sisterly advice. I knew she would be honest with me and help me figure out how to best handle the situation. So after two good days of riding, a great endorphrine rush and talking to my sister I felt mentally stronger.

At the moment I'm not worried at all about my upcoming surgery - I'm simply ready for them to remove the growth and ovary and begin my recovery. I know I have a huge circle of friends and family saying prayers for me and that too is a giant comfort.

I've been reading about dermoid cyst, teratomas or "monster tumors" this week. The pictures are rather gross but also pretty cool - amazing what they find in these growths - hair, teeth, thyroid tissue, etc. Nature does some strange things is all I can say.

I'm going to be okay and I know it. Life is good this I know. Whatever comes my way I'll handle as best I can and if necessary I'll put up a good fight.