Update from McKinley 11.24.2025

Hi everyone,

I’m home from the hospital and wanted to send an update along with a huge amount of gratitude. Your encouragement has continued to carry me through this whole experience. Thank you for showing up so generously. Your encouragement made the heavy parts lighter and the scary parts less lonely.

Medical Update:
The surgery went well. My thyroid and the surrounding lymph nodes were successfully removed. I’m sore and moving at a very slow shuffle, Pain is being managed my surgical drains were removed today (YAY) and 22 staples will be removed on Wednesday. Labs are looking good and I can feel my body healing everyday! 

How I’m Feeling:

There’s pain and discomfort but also a sense of strength. I’m impressed with the bodies ability to adapt to what it just went through and thankful beyond words for the support that’s surrounded me.

Rose & Thorn

Rose-moments of gratitude:
A smooth surgery 

The staff at Denver health 

The opportunity to rest and recover peacefully

My families company and hand holding at my appointments 

Friendship 

Technology being able to receive love and encouragement on my phone from each and everyone of you 

Thorns- challenges:
The expected post-op pain 

What’s Next:

A much-needed shower tomorrow (finally!), another follow-up with my ENT surgeon this week, and the process of finding the right thyroid medication and dose with an endocrinologist. There will be long-term steps like radioactive iodine, but I’m not focusing on that right now. For the moment, it’s all about recovering from surgery◡̈

Thank you all again your support has meant more than I can express with words.

With love and gratitude,
McKinley