I'm so sick of hospitals

To all of my friends who have been involved with my crazy life over the last month:
First of all-- thank you so much for supporting me through this time. I've always been on the other end of tragedy, so you all have been SUCH an amazing blessing to me in this time of receiving support. Also, anyone who had a hand helping me get to Pittsburgh last week, my mom sends love and more gratitude than she could ever express-- her and I could not have gotten through those days without eachother.

The most recent update is that the biopsy from the tissue removed during my dad's colon cancer surgery came back as whatever the type of cancer is that has not and will never spread (Type I maybe?). So he is now cancer free and with an almost guaranteed chance of it never returning. He got through last week with such a peace that he, even a sometimes cynic, attributed to the thoughts and prayers of all of our loved ones. Thank you. He should be out of the hospital within the next week.

The most recent update on my own situation is this: on Monday I was almost definitely diagnosed with Graves Disease. As many of you know, I've been struggling with heart and breathing problems, among other symptoms, and they all match perfectly with this rare disease that is not as serious as it sounds. Graves causes Hyperthyroidism, which in this case begins by the white blood cells thinking the thyroid gland is foreign, and attacking it. To defend itself, the thyroid creates a hormone that makes it work extra hard to stay intact. This then causes everything else to overwork-- my heart , my lungs, my muscles, my eyes... so this one disorder has caused pretty much any health problem I've ever had. The treatment that has been recommended to me is a Radioactive Iodine Treatment that will be an out-patient procedure and should put the problem into remission and keep me on pills for the rest of my life. And after this procedure, I'll talk slower!!!

This may have been more information than you wanted, but many of you have been asking. Your thoughts and prayers are SO helpful as we try to figure out insurance, healing, and the future. You all mean a great deal to me, and I've learned this week that I can't survive without my friends. Thank you.