I’ve Got A Feelin

“June 12th, 2009 – …My doctor was nearly certain - in fact said he would be "very surprised"- if my full pathology came back as anything but benign. 

We were both a little shocked when I went in to have my stitches out a week ago Friday and found that "Bob" had been sent to the Mayo Clinic for a second look. He said he would call me as soon as the reports from Mayo came back...

So that is basically how exactly 2 months after my 30th birthday, I got the phone call telling me I have cancer”

Today marks 2 years since I heard the words “You have cancer…” over that phone line.  It’s a day I will never forget...  A day that changed my life forever.

It seems like a lifetime ago but at the same time I know I’m not at that magical 5 years = cancer free mark yet.  It is probably why I have been dragging my feet to find a new endocrinologist and have my testing done.  I know I need to do that.  I know.  But I’m scared that there will be news I don’t want to hear.  That and Endos are notoriously prima donna like so meeting yet another one isn’t exactly high on my list.  I will make that appointment. I promise.

So how am I celebrating 2 years of survivorship?  I don’t know yet.  I’m thinking of sleeping in, reading a good book, watching a new movie, and heading down to get a Peanut Butter Dream to stick 2 tiny little birthday candles in. 

I’ll light those 2 little candles.  And while blowing them out I will make a little wish for all the dreams I’m holding in my heart.

Because as I said one year ago today…

“Today is a day to celebrate every moment, to appreciate the little things, to stop and smell the roses, to live life to the fullest, to shout it from the rooftops! 

I am here, I am healthy, I am loved, and I have a very long life in front of me.

For today, I am pushing all of that away and am remembering that today is worth celebrating because life is worth celebrating!  Life in all its ups and downs is simply a gift every single day. 

Today Every day is my most precious gift”

World Cancer Day

Every year 12 million people receive a cancer diagnosis.  Of those, 7.6 million will die of their disease. 

I am one of 12 million who heard those words in 2009.    It’s amazing how isolated you feel when you hear those words yet there are 12 million others that have heard the same thing within that year. 

Reading the statistics above, I feel extra lucky today that I am a survivor.  Did you do the math?  Those numbers mean that over 60% who have cancer die of cancer. But it is estimated that 30-40% of those deaths could be prevented and as many as one third could be cured through early diagnosis and treatment.

It’s time for us to fight this global epidemic. Click on the logo above and sign the declaration urging our global leaders to come to action.

A cancer patient will thank you.  I thank you.

The Bob Saga Continues...

If you have been reading my notes you know that I had a Hemithryoidectomy a little less than 3 weeks ago to remove a nodule [nicknamed Bob].

My doctor was nearly certain - in fact said he would be "very surprised"- if my full pathology came back as anything but benign.

We were both a little shocked when I went in to have my stitches out a week ago Friday and found that "Bob" had been sent to the Mayo Clinic for a second look. He said he would call me as soon as the reports from Mayo came back...

So that is basically how exactly 2 months after my 30th birthday, I got the phone call telling me I have cancer.

So what does this all mean...Well there are some things that can be considered "good news"...

• First, thyroid cancer is highly curable especially in someone less than 45yrs old [5year survival rates in the 95-100% range].
• Second, my surgeon thinks that they removed all of the tumor when he did my surgery a few weeks ago so at this point I don't anticipate going under the knife again soon.
• Third, I have the best physicians, family, friends, co-workers... it is impossible not to be optimistic.

Is the worry and concern gone - definitely not. Are there questions left to be answered - the list keeps growing daily. Do i need an oncologist? An endocrinologist? I want to "know my enemy" in a way. I have started gathering information so I can be an "informed consumer" when I see my surgeon again on July 2 and can ask the right questions. After hearing that "Bob" was "almost certainly benign" and then finding out otherwise, I want to be certain that the cancer hasn't spread even if i'm told it is unlikely. I want to know the tests that can be done, to know the therapies that can be used and I want to discuss them all. And with years of fundraising and activism under my belt for breast cancer - I want to find out if there is a way I can do the same for thyroid cancer.

There is still a lot of uncertainty in the air and even though my prognosis is good, it is never easy to hear the words "we found cancer."

I'm thankful for excellent physicians, for one of the top medical centers in the country just miles away, for insurance that covers the ever increasing medical expenses, for a workplace that cares about people not just productivity, for family and friends who love me and I can count on to be with me every step, and for my faith...without which there would be no hope.

Lord I feel...

Confused yet... You are my counselor (Isa 9:6)

Fearful yet... God says: "Cast all your cares on ME" (I Peter 5:7)

Lonely yet...You promised never to leave me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5)

Sick yet...You are the Lord who heals all my diseases (Ps 103:3)

Troubled yet....You are my peace (Jn 14:27).