Problem retrieving photos from Xd Card after...

Question

I have a Radio Shack card reader which is connected to the computer by USB port.  I used it at my home computer, installed my Xd card to put photos on a document.  The computer froze.  I removed the card and tried to put it back into the camera.  The camera asked that I format the disk.  But when I pressed format, a message stated that I could lose all data.  Would you please give me advice as to what I can do so that I do not lose my priceless photos?!

Thanks,
Alex