New Year’s Day is traditionally considered a time of new beginnings. This year, that construct has a totally different meaning for me.
I thought December 31, 2013, would be the New Year’s Eve that I looked back over the year with great joy because I’d finally published my first novel. Well, life had other plans for that particular date in my life. About mid-day on New Year’s Eve, I received a phone call telling me that I have breast cancer.
The tumor was small, we caught it early, and at this point the prognosis is good. I have another procedure next week to remove a lymph node and biopsy it, and the results of that procedure might change the diagnosis considerably. But for now, I’m assuming that my outlook is good and that we’ll be able to lick this thing with minimally unpleasant treatment.
That said, I don’t really know what’s ahead of me. I plan to keep blogging, but it will probably be less often. I assume my energy levels will flag as I undergo whatever treatment regimen my doctors recommend, and it’s more important to work on my next novel than to post here five times a week.
I do not intend to turn this into a cancer blog. It will still focus on my writing, but I may mention my health as it relates to my life as an author.
And I guess that’s all I really have to say about this right now.
Ruth Hull Chatlien 
Oh Ruth, I am sorry. Will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you, Linnea.
So glad it was small and they caught it early! Please do keep us updated.
Thank you, Krystal.
Dear Ruth:
Thinking of and praying for you at this challenging time.
Thank you, Linda.
Oh goodness, not what you’d like to hear for the new year at all. I’m glad they caught it early and you’re right on top of things. I’ll be thinking of you.
Thank you, Jen.
Wow, I did not see that coming… I’m sorry, Ruth. I hope the surgery goes well, it has to! You’re just getting started… and I am loving Madame Bonaparte too much to let you off the hook with just one book, my dear. Please keep us posted!
Thanks, Yvone.
I hope all goes well, Ruth. Hugs from Las Vegas.
Thank you, Meredith.
Sorry to have missed this before, Ruth. Best wishes regarding this. It sounds like it’s the best situation such a thing could be. You’re definitely having a toad start to the year, which is a good thing.
You likely don’t know what that means, sorry.
There’s an old saying where I grew up: “If you swallow a toad first thing in the morning, nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”
Definitely a toad start, don’t you agree?
Deleyan, I love that expression! Where did you grow up? At any rate, it brought a smile to my face, and smiles are worth their weight in gold.
My prayers are with you, Ruth. All the best for 2014. ~ Dennis
Thank you so much, Dennis.
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery Ruth, (I love Deleyan’s expression too) All the very best. Cheryl.
Thank you, Cheryl.