As I mentioned earlier, if you've been praying for my recovery since my partial thyroidectomy, it's safe to move me down your prayer list (unless you'd like to give me spiritual support for my Wednesday talk at Georgetown and Sunday talk at Yale's Sex Week).

Pretty much everything anyone could have prayed for me with regard to the operation was answered. The operation went beautifully, I am healing very well and in good spirits, and it now turns out I may not even need a second operation to remove the rest of my thyroid. As a friend puts it, "I just love it when God says 'yes."

My ENT, who also did the surgery, told me last week when he removed my stitches that the nodule in the tumor that was removed was a Stage 1 tumor, fully encapsulated — meaning it had not spread outside the boundaries of my thyroid. He recommended I get a second opinion from an endocrinologist on whether I should get the remainder of my thyroid out, and I will go in for that opinion on the 21st. My dad observes that the most important factor to consider is what are the proven odds of patients with cancer in one lobe of the thyroid developing it in the remaining lobe. Considering the rate of incidence of thyroid cancer, there should be a good body of data on that.

If the odds are high that I would eventually need a second operation, I'm leaning towards getting it sooner rather than later, because I'm recovering so well from the one I underwent January 29, and it is better to have it done while I am younger and in good health.

* * *

In other news, I started my new job last week and love it. I am working as a co-writer on a six-month book project for an executive at a Washington think tank, As I have not yet asked permission from my employer to name the organization publicly, I'll just say that it is the place where I most wanted to work when I first considered moving to Washington, but the right job was not available at that time.

I love what I am doing at the new gig and I am enjoying getting to know my co-workers. It is far and away the best office environment I have ever experienced. Also, unlike before, when I had an hour-long commute to work that involved a bus and Metro, I now have a 15-minute foot-and-Metro commute, or a 35-minute walk that takes me past the White House. Best of all, I have the choice of working at home when I feel like it.

Last night, my dad asked me on the phone how I was doing. I told him that this is the happiest time of my life. It really is. I count my blessings and they are overflowing.

So, thank you so much again if you have sent prayers my way. I've truly felt them and, in the mysterious economy of prayer, I believe any overflow has gone to those who are in my intentions.

Wishing you every spiritual blessing this Lent.

Labels: thyroidectomy