I suppose some of you may have been wondering why I've been absent from this blog for so long. It's a fairly long story, but briefly I was admitted to Southeast Hospital two weeks ago for removal of my gall bladder. Subsequently, doctors discovered that it was cancer. I had a second procedure to insert a stent in the bile duct while I was hospitalized. This type of cancer is extremely, extremely rare. In fact, it occurs more often in much older women and in those of Native American and/or Hispanic descent. Since I have (to my knowledge) little of either heritages, the whole thing is a mystery.

More surgery will be needed in the future, which will probably take place at Wash U in St. Louis. My surgeon wants me to recover from this go around and build my strength before that next step takes place.

I have no answers to the questions folks keep asking. All I ask is that you, dear readers, keep me in your thoughts and prayers as the battle continues. As I feel better, I'll try to keep you up to date on the blog. Thanks in advance for your prayers.

From the chilly Cottonbelt, your humble reporter is signing off.

ElFreda