Update from Mckinley 12.5.2025

Hello- 

This Thanksgiving felt different in a way I’ll never forget. After a year that challenged me I found myself with a deep gratitude for health, for healing, and for every person who has shown up with love and support. Your presence in my life has mattered and I am so grateful.

This week, I also got to celebrate another trip around the sun. This birthday feels like the beginning of a new chapter, a different age, a new year, and a reminder that there is so much ahead.

Medical Update:

The surgery recovery brought a few surprises including major swelling and chest pain, after an ER visit last week the doctors confirmed nothing emergent, and they’re monitoring my labs.

Today I woke up with a terrible sore throat that felt different than the pain I have had in my throat post surgery, after a doctors visit I got a positive Covid test result back:( Not sure how this happened as I have been quite the hermit while recovering... I will be spending this week resting and recovering at home. 

The good news: all of my staples are out and the incision is healing well. We’ve begun the follow-up process with my medical team reviewing labs, next steps will be determined with more time and more post op labs/data. Pathology came in with no surprises, which is fantastic. 

How I’m Feeling:

Sore throat was taken to the next level with the post op pain & covid combination but with surgery behind me I am hoping that I’ve made it through the steepest part of this climb. 

Rose- Moments of gratitude:
Celebrating holidays feeling surrounded by love

Insurance approval for PT and OT to help with the healing process… great to have 2 more wonderful people on my team to help with healing

The snow has really helped create a cozy ambiance for resting 

Thorn- Challenges:

COVID
My calcium supplements come in five different colors… and the pink ones are sadly my least favorite lol

What’s Next:
More healing and waiting on labs to guide the next phase of treatment. I will share updates as I know more. 

Thank you for every message, prayer, and check-in you’ve sent. I’ve gone back and reread many of them on the days I’ve needed strength. Thank you for your patience and understanding for my super slow response time as I am moving slowly through everything right now. 

With love,