Heather Petri's Medical Expenses

Hello Everyone,

As Heather has shared, she was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer just 50ish days before her 50th birthday. Not quite the gift that anyone has on their wishlist.

I have been friends with Heather since 7th grade, so for her to agree for me to do this for her was a lot. To know Heather, is to love her.

I am sharing this from her facebook post, she is clearly the writer in this friendship.

There isn't a poignant way to say this.

I have cancer.

There I said it. And it is *really* hard to say. It makes my breath quicken, and my pulse race a bit, to do so.

The quick deets:

- Thyroid cancer (still determining which kind and whether it has metastasized to my lymph nodes)

- Yeah, it's the 'good' cancer (said with irritation AND gratitude while also rolling my eyes). But FFS, it is still cancer and I'm going to go ahead and allow myself to just let that settle in a bit and feel what I need to feel, AND simultaneously feel grateful for what we know so far).

- I've been going through tests and appointments over this last month and have more to come

There's much more storytelling and details in my attached Caring Bridge link.

Mostly right now, I'm processing - absorbing - writing - feeling feelings - making friends with my anxiety (she's really annoying) - and just trying to sit in the midst of all of this.

How am I? I'm sad, tired, anxious, strong, angry, annoyed, irritated, hopeful, faithful, quiet, forgetful, foggy, grieving, ready, not ready, hungry, nauseous, not hungry, sleepy, wanting to run away to an island, dance at a party, go to all the sports games, eat all the cake, and stand under a disco ball staring at the wonder of life and the light we shine upon it, can reflect back upon us.

What do I need? I don't know. I'm still trying to figure it out. AND, I'm also terrible in asking for help. More to come on this I'm sure.

What is next, I don't know. I'm trying to practice this whole one moment at a time mentality. So I'll take a sip of my coffee and go take the dogs for a walk.

Thanks for being here. More soon.

Lastly, I'm a Leo - so I like the spotlight and the attention, but this is taking it a bit far, don't you think? Total BS. Cancer is an a**hole.

Love to you all.

https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/heatherpetri

P.S. - I didn't review this for typos. Please excuse errors. The writer in me is cringing. The rest of me gives zero s*its right now, and I think that may be my new attitude about trivial things like this.

**EDITED TO ADD: I wish I could've called or texted many of you, before you read this for the first time here. But it has just been too overwhelming to do so, and I'm trying to be better at taking care of me.

As we know all of the medical costs add up quickly, if you are able to help, I know she would be forever grateful as she navigates her next steps.

THANK YOU!

Kelley